text:
- Matthieu Miossec
- Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
- United Kingdom
Doctoral Student - Genetic Medecine (Congenital Heart Disease),
This conversation is closed.
Morality is better informed by science than it is by religion
Religion has a long history of claiming absolute knowledge over questions of morals. Often today, we hear preachers on the street tell us that, for all our scientific and technological achievements, we are losing touch with our morals. Is that true? Is religion than the only or at least the best answer to our moral shortcomings?
The other view is that morality has progressively changed and increased with time and we shudder to think about what stood as morals in our past. In great part, it can be argued that science has fed many moral values by revealing natural truths about ourselves and other animals such that we can no longer see the world in a way that make certain immoral behaviors justifiable.
So which one is better equipped to inform morality? Is there a third institution better equipped perhaps?
Oct 12 2011: Hi Matthieu:>)
I don't believe there is only one answer to this question, and from what I've seen in the discussions on TED, the debate simply continues to seperate people. I believe in using all possible information that is available, to determine how I will live my life. If some folks want to be totally guided by science, or exclusively guided by religion, it is a choice s/he makes, and I believe that to be limiting. There are many people who use both, or neither, and live a life that is morally beneficial to themselves and to the whole of humanity.
It's been awhile since I watched the talks by Steven Pinker and Sam Harris, but as I recall, Pinker presents data, indicating that violence is decreasing. As I recall, Harris suggests a "middle ground". I believe we are evolving to the point of being able to more effectively sift through information and make better choices as human beings. We KNOW more about dominating, violent behaviors for example, because of the information we get from science and religion. We can, as informed people of the world, determine what behaviors are unacceptable, and that information has come from both science and religions. They are both valuable resources we can use to heal our world, rather than cause a wedge by continually seperating that which is connected.
Oct 12 2011: One need not exclude the other, but can it not be said that the knowledge we've derived from science feeds our morality better nowadays?
Oct 12 2011: Depends on how the information is used. Science/technology has certainly served to connect us around the world, and provide the opportunity to learn and exchange more information. That is a HUGE step forward for all of us. Violation of human rights, for example, can happen more easily when people are isolated, so I believe the advanced technology will facilitate changes in that respect. People who are guided by extreme behaviors, under the guise of religion or politics for example, are now going to be watched by the entire world. Because of technology/science, we have a stronger voice regarding unacceptable behaviors. That being said, there are billions of people who use religion as a beneficial life guide, and will continue to do so, thereby feeding our morality in a beneficial way.Oct 12 2011: But why bother with superstition?
I tell stories to my kids where good behaviour is valued. They get it, even though I tell them it's just a story and nothing about it is true.
You don't need superstiton, there is nothing good about it. And religion is more than story telling. It claims to know some sort of absolute truth. This has disastrous consequences.
Get rid of it. Get a better world to live in.
Oct 12 2011: Gerald,
You have the right to believe in whatever you want. Don't you think/feel that others have that right as well? If a person wants to "bother with superstition", s/he has that right. Would you feel better if everyone conformed to what you believe to be "right" behavior? Suggesting to "get rid" of something that is precious to many people, is extreme. Furthermore, I'm sure you're aware that throughout history, there have been several movements which tried to destroy certain beliefs and the people who practiced them? We need to deal with the behaviors that threaten, abuse and violate the rights of others, no matter what the underlying "reason" is for such a threat. We, as individuals, can create a "better world" by filtering all the information and getting rid of extreme behaviors.
Oct 12 2011: YES! People should have the right to believe anything they want. But it should be a choice. Brainwashing vulnerable children with beliefs should be illegal. This is abuse.
Religions know how to take advantage of such vulnerability.
A good education can lower vulnerability among people. The educated have learnt to put ideas to the test, to doubt constantly about what they know. This is pure freedom, and it should be promoted.
THEN, you may chose to go for Muhamed or Jesus or Feng Shui. But let's make sure you've had the proper education first.
Also, you make it sound like science is just another religion. It's not. Science is the pursuit of knwoledge through doubt and rational criticim. There couldn't possibly be anything wrong with that. There is no authority in science. Anyone may tip physics upside down, provided one brought a completely different explanation that explained more.
So I don't feel like Hitler when I say that science should eradicate superstition. I'm just preaching freedom of though, here.
Let's free the hostages.
And seriously, let's ban religion teaching on children. The damage is so hard to heal afterwards.Oct 12 2011: Gerald,
Yes...I agree...people should have the right to believe anything they want and it should be a choice.
"A good education can lower vulnerability", and SOME educated people have learned to put ideas to the test. However, there are many well educated people who get stuck in their own beliefs, and fail to even see anyone else's belief as being valid in any way.
I agree...freedom should be promoted. I do not, in any way, shape or form suggest that science is "just another religion", and cannot even guess how you came to that conclusion. Nor have I said ANYWHERE that there is anything "wrong" with science. I've said over and over again that I use ALL information to form my worldview.
It might be helpful to actually look at what a person has expressed before you argue?
Oct 12 2011: Well said.
I'm just adding that information shouldn't come from anywhere other than science, which we agree to be the only source of knowledge that benefits from doubt and criticism.
Thus, you'd be better off restricting your worldview to science, according to my definition of it.
Wouldn't you?Oct 12 2011: Thank you Gerald.
It may be "well said", but you apparently do not seem to be understanding what I am saying.
I do not agree that science is the only source of knowledge....
In my perception, I am "better off" making my own choices.
Oct 12 2011: But surely you'd rather go for the explanations that make sense and that accept criticism? Who wants ready-made truths?
Honnestly...Oct 12 2011: Yes Gerald, I accept explanations that make sense.
Oct 12 2011: but you refuse to stick only to those that do make sense?Oct 16 2011: I accept explanations that make sense to me Gerald.
What part of that statement do you not understand?
Oct 16 2011: But you think there's more than sense-making explanations, right?Oct 16 2011: Gerald,
You are taking yourself in a circle, and that doesn't make any sense to me.
Oct 16 2011: Nah, it's just you, refusing to admit that what isn't scientific doesn't make sense. I was just trying to get you saying that you like to know that there's more to reality than good explanations of it.Oct 16 2011: Perhaps you have not realized yet that I don't say what others want me to say....it is a waste of time in my opinion Gerald. People, trying to get other people to say something that s/he wants to hear does not appeal to me. I like to be well informed with all available information:>)
Oct 16 2011: "All available information"
coming from nonsense explanations as well as sensible ones. Got it.Oct 16 2011: Good...glad you've "got it" Gerald. What YOU decide is nonsense doesn't really matter...except to you. We're right back to a statement you made in a previous comment...
"YES! People should have the right to believe anything they want. But it should be a choice".
(Gerald O'brian - 4 days ago on this thread)
You see? You went around in a circle:>)
Oct 16 2011: You still have the right to believe anything you want.
My whole point, which you chose to miss, was that science was only about looking for sensible explanations. What isn't science is bad explanations, that fail the rational criticism test.
Hence, when you say science is not enough, it's like saying that irrational ideas which bring nonsense information about reality are a good alternative.
THIS is nonsense. It's your right to say nonsense. And of course, it's my right to let you know about it.Oct 16 2011: I've got your point Gerald. I also know what science is about, I never said ANYWHERE that "science is not enough", and I firmly believe science is a very valuable tool, which I've stated over and over again.
It might be helpful Gerald, for you to actually look at a person's comments before arguing. You are arguing with yourself...or are you trolling?
Oct 16 2011: QUOTE : I do not agree that science is the only source of knowledge....
Am I arguing with myself?Oct 16 2011: It appears so
Oct 17 2011: It appears so, I agree. Let's find someone else with constructive conversation.Oct 27 2011: I feel there is a third way to inform morality that should take place over generalized concepts: experience.
For as much as we hear in childhood about "don't judge others until you walk a mile in their shoes," "treat others how you want to be treated" etc., it's hard to understand why we don't apply any of that to the adult world. Morals that are based on experiencing being treated poorly by someone with a lack of moral sense are well informed and generally worth listening to.
As for things that one would rather not ever experience, experience can also inform those morals. If you wouldn't ever want it to happen to you, it's probably morally wrong. If it's similar to an experience that was negative and you have a moral opposition to someone else experiencing what you did, it's probably morally wrong.
Oct 27 2011: Kenji, you are resonating a chord on my piano.
Reared a Southern Baptist interpreter of the Bible, as a child I found precious doubt, because the God that was presented felt he needed to coerce believers. (See Revelation 22:18 and Luke 12:8-10; two of many examples.) However, my indoctrination was so strong I could not free myself.
Over 35 years as a chemical engineer, I worked with people from over 40 ethnic backgrounds, many of them motivated by Eastern philosophy or religion, including Christianity. As a Protestant, I longed for them to say something like, "Phil, I am impressed with your goodness and want to understand what motivates it." It never happened. Some conversations, I perceived, justified me to treat them "as I wanted to be treated": I practiced the Great Commission.
For example, I said to Kishor, "Have you met Jesus?"
He answered, "I don't understand the question."
I said, "Is Jesus your Lord and savior?"
He confidently said, "No. I have studied many prophets and pray to Jesus, but that's as far as I would go."
Then he asked, "What do you mean by heaven?"
I answered, "Eternal life with Jesus and all people God gave Him to save."
He responded, "That could happen, but I'd be pleased to be reincarnated a better human or higher being."
After a couple experiences like that I began to feel arrogant questioning another human being's inspiration and for the first time in my life (maybe I was 45) saw non-Christians as human beings as valuable as me. Later, I began to see their inner peace—not questioning my religion--as in fact superior to mine. Not long after that, I became not a believer but a human being (now 68) and member of the community of living species. My faith is in reality, unknown as it is.
Does my story relate to your "third way?"
Winston Lake
Oct 18 2011: Religion has it's own moral bias which in the Christian Bible is often spectacularly contradictory. Science is amoral in that knowledge alone cannot dictate it's own use. I would prefer a third option.
- +2
Morality is a uniquely human issue, and as such, only humans are capable of determining what those moral values should be. I am referring to something in the nature of a social contract. We have the technology now to conduct a reasonably accurate poll of society. With this data, we could determine a set of societal morals. Recurrent polls could be conducted at agreed upon intervals to determine the effectiveness of the current morality and suggest any necessary restructuring.
Morality, as with any other aspect of human societies is not and should not be forced to be static. Our morality must be allowed to evolve with us. That failure of moral evolution lies at the heart of our current moral drift. In our western, Judeo/Christian society, we have tried to freeze our moral evolution at a point two thousand years in the past. Denying moral evolution while embracing social evolution has led us in strange directions.
The Bible says "Thou shalt not kill." and yet the United States, a country of loudly "Christian" values invades other countries and kills thousands, and they were not alone. Clearly, our society has evolved beyond the morality we profess to embrace. This leads to a deep seated rift between those clinging ever more tightly to "traditional" (read outmoded) morality, and those attempting to establish their own morality in the absence of any reasonable alternative.
We need to establish a human moral compass based on human truths and values. Forget about flawed and self-promoting religions. Science, no matter how hard it tries, cannot pretend to human understanding. Only we can understand ourselves. Only we humans know what is right and wrong for us.Oct 17 2011: Colleen, Your comment is straight to the point regarding some religions and priests and the fact it has been often brushed under the rug is evidence of our moral ineptitude. Nothing is more egress in a house culturally we revere.
However I would take exception to the statement; " it can be argued that science has fed many moral values by revealing natural truths about ourselves and other animals such that we can no longer see the world in a way that make certain immoral behaviors justifiable".
If this is true, then how does science justify the legacy issues of chemical contamination's in our bodies, waters and soil, nuclear waste, and all the negative consequences of our past stupid choices?
Science isn't moral one wit. Its simply available to the highest bidder which the evidence demonstrates in spades. In fact in most cases, Science removes causes from effects to effectively transfer liability, responsibility and accountability on to future generations. The evidence is over whelming.
Oct 17 2011: Good point Craig,
The statement you refer to, is taken directly from Matthieu's introduction, and one which I agree with. The statement simply says that science has revealed natural truths about ourselves and we can no longer see the world in a way that make certain immoral behaviors justifiable.
Science, in my perception, does not "justify" any misuse of information which science provides. It is people within the system who misuse the information, thereby causing negative consequences...yes? Just as it is people who misuse information provided by spirituality, religions and holy books. In my perception, both science and holy books provide information which can create a better world. The challenge is how people choose to use the information.
I agree with you that often scientific information is "available to the highest bidder", It is up to us, as individuals, and members of our world, to sift through information and decide how or if we use it. I believe we have evolved as humans to the point where we are capable of practicing well thought out processes that could be beneficial to the whole.Oct 17 2011: That the products of science have been used and abused to carry out terrible actions and damage our environment is undeniable. But this is mixing what we learn from science, with how we use it. You can read a book and learn or you can strike someone to the head with it, but that doesn't make what's in the book any less valuable.Oct 12 2011: Personally I dislike it when science and religion are described as two competing schools of thought. the simple fact of the matter is that science is a process we use to gain understanding and religion is a collection of stories that is used to create moral consensus. using science to determine morality is like using a calculator if murder is ever justified, and likewise religious stories only give you as solid of an understanding of the physical universe as a kids book. This does not mean that the two never interact as the context in which a religion is understood is vastly important to what morals it generates, and our understanding of the universe has a large impact on that context.
basically what i am saying is that you have to take the lessons form religion and adapt them to fit with the facts and understanding that we have through science. both are unqualified to fill every facet required by the other.
i think it is also worth mentioning that religion tool used to gain moral consensus, and science is not the only way to gain understanding of the physical world.
Oct 12 2011: This is the problem. Religion has been poisoning our philosophies for so long, that we actually think that science is about calculus and astronomy, and could not possibly bring understanding about moral and human issues.
Well what about biology? Ahhhh, biology, religion's worst enemy. According to biology, human beings are animals. And the study of animals is a science.
Biology is the worst thing that ever happened to religion, and the best that ever happened to philosophy.
If more people saw this, it would be a bright era indeed.
Oct 12 2011: I think many are confused by the distinction between edicting and informing moral values.
Oct 12 2011: What do you mean? Explain this, please.Oct 12 2011: Well when you bring up the idea that science can inform morality, there is almost an automatic reply that science does not tackle questions of morality. Most of us agree with that because that was never the substance of the argument, it's a strawman. Designing experiments to determine what is moral or asking scientists to act as moral authorities is not what's defended here. What's the defended here is that our understanding of science permits us to make better moral judgments by what it tells us about nature. You're quite right to focus on biology, it is a massive contributor to our moral progression because of what it tells us about humans and animals, but of course physics, particularly astrophysics has a big part to play too.
Oct 26 2011: Religion can also play a detrimental role in an understanding of morality. My example would be the scientific discovery of homosexuality in the animal kingdom. This "should" have enlightened the religious that the behavior is not "unnatural" unfortunately that isn't the takeaway.Oct 12 2011: "adapt them to fit with the facts and understanding that we have through science" This is what I am trying to convey.
"using science to determine morality is like using a calculator if murder is ever justified" This is what I am not trying to convey.
I though I was being fairly explicit in my title and description to avoid the question being taken as meaning that we can somehow devise a scientific experiment that can tell us right from wrong or that science should endeavour to reveal moral truths. I defend none of that. It seems that this strawman (not necessarily intentional) is forever going to prevent this debate from actually taking place.
It is worth also pointing out that the question never points out exclusivity over morals of one or the other.
Oct 12 2011: Topic: "Morality is better informed by science than it is by religion"
Do you honestly think the topic "never points out exclusivity..."?
"adapt them to fit with the facts and understanding that we have through science" seems more open minded, and it seems closer to what you have expressed in other conversations.
Oct 12 2011: Yes I do because I made this topic. Better informs does not mean totally informs.Oct 12 2011: OK...It leaves room for more information. I still like "adapting everything to fit" as my preference:>)Oct 5 2011: There's no better teacher for morals than nature.
Within social relations we teach eachother by listening to our heart. What feels good is good.
Everything a man can think of is limited wether it comes from religion or science.Oct 3 2011: I claim to be a more righteous being than any deity I ever read about.
... and it's not hard.
Peter Law
Oct 31 2011: Just listened to a conversation between Richard Dawkins & Wendy Wright (U-Tube). Dawkins was quite up front about the idea that he would not like to live in a world where morals were derived from Darwinian principles. For once I agreed with him.
- +1
Oct 31 2011: Bragging about never agreeing with one of the foremost intellectuals of our time says a lot about you.
Oct 31 2011: Agreed.Oct 31 2011: Well, everyone in their right mind could agree to that. There is a difference between deriving and informing morality. Science's purpose is to reveal nature to us, informing our morality, not dictating it.
Notice how Wendy Wright is totally clueless when it comes to evolution though and repeats the same garbage like a mantra...reminds me of someone.
Nov 1 2011: I love you too Matt.
Beneficial random mutations are selected by environmental pressures thereby tending to improve the organism over many generations. (or similar)
Great theory; but where's the evidence?
Wendy was a bit annoyed at constantly being told she was dumb; does Dawkins honestly believe she has not looked at the available evidence ?
Nov 1 2011: To be annoyed mostly reveals one to be powerless or impotent.Nov 1 2011: He doesn't think, he knows. She keeps going "where are the transitional fossils?" when there are many. So no she hasn't looked at the evidence, she doesn't know what the flip she's talking about and neither do you given that you're asking me for evidence once again.Oct 28 2011: To Andrea, As you said, we are close on many thoughts. However, we take them in different directions.
"I'd rather be the person who resists nuclear bomb proliferation . . ." Developing nuclear bombs was inevitable; I want to have them first and use that strength to discourage evil men from developing them, thereby resisting proliferation.
"I imagine, self-righteous experts of both science and religion suffer and propagate about equally." A scientist is not self-righteous—waits for repeatable evidence before drawing conclusions. If not, he is religious. The religious make an assumption then construct doctrine based on the assumption without regard for evidence.
"My sister, in heart failure -- the last stop for patients, prescribes as a matter of course, along with scientific remedies, a spiritual one: purpose. She is convinced people getting involved in something beyond themselves can change health in remarkable ways." I am glad your sister has purpose.
After my triple by-pass, I was prepared for death to remedy suffering but was inspired to survive to continue supporting my three ladies—my wife and adult daughters; I began a fitness program. Eight years later, with a stage 3 carcinoma in my right lung, we studied diets to strengthen resistance to cancer. The family has benefited. I have no objection to people calling these wonderful results "spiritual." However, I regard them as open-mindedness and behavior according to understanding.
"A mission to undo religion and faith clouds the objective analysis of them. Respect for the strengths of both science and religion seems best." Equivocating "faith" and "religion" is common, but unacceptable to me. To me, "faith" means trust in and commitment to, in my case, reality. Faith has strength: religion has weakness. Usually, religion immorally divides humankind.
I prefer: understanding informs morality, especially by disclosing the immorality of religion.
Oct 29 2011: Phil,
Your "purpose" to continue supporting your "three ladies" is inspiring. They are very lucky to have your sustained commitment to caring for yourself so you can care for them, too. All best in your efforts to do more of the same!
I saw nothing strong in obliterating whole cities of people in Japan to sable rattle at Russia.
I see it as strategic opportunism. As do historian Paul Ham and many US military leaders. With, I'd add, the predictable consequence of creating martyrs of the upwards of 300,000 scorched civilians while leaving the US looking like global thugs.
Its not much different then global-scale gang warfare, in my mind. One group of thugs paranoid that the other group of thugs is treading on their turf and/or coming to kill them, pipe-bombs the rival group's 'hood to show their manlier-manliness. Then: Retaliation. And, Repeat.
None look manly when little children are torn apart by shrapnel or burned skinless.
Or, when generations of people are left with the physical and psychological scars "Little Boy" bombs leave in the dusty craters of their wake.
Again, religion Is used as a convenient tool in these quite unnatural and inhuman behaviors:
"I realize the tragic significance of the atomic bomb (...) it is an awful responsibility which has come to us (...) We thank God that it has come to us, instead of to our enemies; and we pray that He may guide us to use it in His ways and for His purposes." Harry S. Truman, August 9, 1945.
So, here again, I agree with you.
Religion is used for immoral means. And, I'd add: devastating, disgusting ends.
Still, I hold science no less accountable for dividing humankind. It is equally corrupted when humans use it as a tool of their free will to further their immoral means.
I'd rather not drop bombs in a strategic attempt to avoid a lose-lose fights, then risk all. Including my country's reputation for the fleeting, superficial so-called "glory" of a dubious, deadly win.
Oct 29 2011: Andrea,
Your contributions amaze me and I thank you; I say never stop.
Of course the joy of trying to fulfill the role of husband and two roles of father is amazing, and the ultimate goal is their peace and confidence when I die. In the meantime, my first duty is to stay out of hospitals. My friend Kishon Seth, about 76, and I tell each other that idea at least once a week. I want to share Kish's and my refrain with everyone: your duty is to stay out of hospitals.
Once again, I think a small change in language would help us understand how parallel our thinking is. I would agree that many "scientists" are evil and many "clergymen" so wish to help humankind that it is a tragedy they are not social workers or psychologists or political scientists—in any role except purveyors of "the truth" when they deny reality for religion.
Machiavelli taught us the greatest evil of the clergy: by joining with the politicians, the clergy help politicians persuade the people to accept and effect evil even though the people feel intolerant toward evil. We know of Truman, Bush, and Lincoln so using religion.
Thank you for the quotation of Truman. We can find an analogous quotation of Geo. W. Bush, and you and I watched in horror as he invaded Iraq, based on the advice of his heavenly father and the "prayers" of the majority of Americans. We should have started impeachment proceedings the day after his declaration.
ContinuedOct 29 2011: Continuation:
Abraham Lincoln was also guilty of abusing religion. He was perhaps the most politically skilled citizen America has known. Reared in a religious community that opposed slavery, he opposed slavery but did not want to be known as an abolitionist. To object to the Dred Scott decision in 1857, he could have advocated an amendment to the US Constitution. However, to protect his perception of success (a religion in that it involves an assumption, just like Einstein and his static universe), Lincoln cited the Declaration of Independence and started the precedent that the Declaration (religious) trumps the US Constitution.
The 1789 Christian majority of the people wanted to continue attributing to God responsibility and accountability for governance, and, therefore, never accept the role We the People as defined in the Preamble to the US Constitution (a subject about which Google and you introduced me to TED). The unintended consequence of Lincoln's failure to uphold the US Constitution brought America to its current status: Christian democracy instead of the secular republic the 1787 founders wanted.
Instead of Independence Day wherein we state our dependence on God and claim freedom, a privilege, America should have a double federal holiday around September 17, wherein we renew the seven, secular goals stated in the Preamble then follow with national debate of remaining injustices and proposals for Constitutional amendments to remedy them.
In a recent conversation, I asked perhaps my dearest Christian friend: Given two equally earnest Christians, one detests slavery and the other supports it based on Bible references; both are of the people, but which one is of We the People? That was the end of our dialogue on that subject. (We plan to go to lunch in a week.)
The evolution of humankind's goodness—understanding--informs morality quicker and better than religion does.
On our way to a sing-along taking us back forty years in friendships.
Oct 29 2011: Concerning what you said about the U.S. meant to be secular - What did the Declaration of Independence mean when it said,
".....for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." ???
Most of everyone that signed this important landmark document were Christian or at least believed in a "Creator" as was written about. Therefore I am wanting to learn more of what you were speaking about concerning secularism. Thanks again Phil! You seem to be a very nice person, regardless of our difference of beliefs, and I hope that you do not mind conversing with me either. Have a great one!Oct 30 2011: Phil,
There is debate about Lincoln's personal religious leanings. Though it's true Lincoln used religious rhetoric in his mission to emancipate slaves.
Had he not, the likelihood he would have succeeded would have been significantly less.
Imagine him saying: "Lets look at the research guys. Science say slavery is immoral." He wouldn't have got far.
Instead, Lincoln used two strong planks to scaffold his anti-slave case: political and religious.
By calling on prevailing populists' biblical Law, which from Moses forward rejects slavery, as well as "We the-equal People" law, Lincoln's argument was "cross-reinforced," Christian belief buttressed civil action against slavery.
In fact, this demonstrates how Lincoln employed scientific-style "proof," by citing "relevant texts" as confirmation of his thesis.
I'd say Lincoln's strategy here was quite elegant. He used diverse moral vernaculars to illuminate immoral acts and amplify their evils to all.
Though I agree, it would have been preferable for Lincoln to have advocated a Constitutional amendment regards the post-emancipation Dred Scott case.
But his arguments would have had nothing of the dimension of his anti-slavery positions. He couldn't argue religious law which left him with only the Constitutional law, one less-than solid plank.
Calling up the voices of the Founders as he did compellingly in the fight against slavery wouldn't have worked. Nearly all were Christian. Of the few who weren't, the most compelling church/state separation advocate, Thomas Jefferson, would have been dissonant, though, due the fact he owned slaves.
One wishes our polymath president Jefferson would have asserted his Enlightenment energies more while authoring the Declaration, but he didn't.
So Lincoln spoke in ways both religious and non-religious could hear.
As did Ghandi and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in their transformative iterations against immoral , anti-human oppression.
AndreaOct 30 2011: Andrea, forgive me for trailing you here. I am trying to address Jay Goltz's kind communication, which gave me no "reply" button.
Jay, thank you for the kind words and opportunity to learn. Let me address only the "Nature's God" part of your question. The colonization of America was conducted for "spreading the Christian faith." One of the taxations that led to the revolution was a law suit by the clergy (see below). The small, poor population in the colonies felt weak compared to the 1770s empire builder, Great Britain. To inspire colonial soldiers, deists, such as Thomas Jefferson, led the declaration: Our God will beat your God. Hence, "Natures God" and all the other deistic terms in the Declaration, without pointing out that subtlety to the Christian majority soldiers.
Here's some supporting evidence:
Royal Charters were clearly Christian commissions by British Kings:
First Virginia, 1606: "Wee . . . accepting . . . noble a worke . . . in propagating of Christian religion to suche people as yet live in darkenesse and miserable ignorance of the true knoweledge and worshippe of God and may in tyme bring the infidels and salvages living in those parts to humane civilitie."
Connecticut, 1662: ". . . whereby Our said People . . . may win and invite the Natives of the Country to the Knowledge and Obedience of the only true GOD, and He Saviour of Mankind, and the Christian Faith, which in Our Royal Intentions, and the adventurers free Possession, is the only and principal End of this Plantation."
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Virginia#Religious_freedom_and_disestablishment.
". . . in 1763 . . . The Virginia legislature had passed the Two-Penny Act to stop clerical salaries from inflating. King George III vetoed the measure, and clergy sued for back salaries."
In the historical context, the Declaration states: Nature's God will beat the King's God, Christianity.
I feel this is a start; please consider this much and comment.
PhilOct 30 2011: Andrea,
There were many early documents that declared slavery immoral on practical and humane bases, for example, Thomas Paine's letter of 1775, published in Philadelphia. See http://www.constitution.org/tp/afri.htm .
Lincoln's failure in Dred Scott 1857 (and 6 years before emancipation in 1863), was his appeal to the religious Declaration instead of upholding the secular US Constitution. The Constitution starts with the Preamble, which states seven secular goals, declared by We the People. No where does the Preamble grant any authority to God or religion.
The articles that outline the institutions and methods of governance follow. There are no duties or authority for clergymen or God therein. It stipulates that the slave trade will end in 1808. The founders expected slavery to dwindle to termination. Lincoln could have sacrificed his political ambitions and negotiated for the Thirteenth Amendment, adopted on December 6, 1865, only 8 years after Lincoln tragically invoked the Declaration.
If Lincoln had chosen not to unconstitutionally trump the US Constitution by citing the Declaration, his political focus might have avoided the Civil War.
Politicians who involve religion in governance are a bane to the people and their nation. Politicians should keep their religion private and citizens should keep their religions private. Non-religious people should not be forced to suffer the burden of religion.
I must say, it seems to me your "Imagine [Lincoln] saying: 'Lets look at the research guys. Science says slavery is immoral.' He wouldn't have got far," is not instructive at all, and that is being kind.
Also, the New Testament condones slavery. See http://www.religioustolerance.org/sla_bibl2.htm .
Oct 30 2011: Phil,
Thanks for the Dred Scott chronology correction.
My sense without researching further is the Scott case amounted perhaps to a lesson-learned. If so, Lincoln's focus on the Declaration, again, would have been wise.
Scott had already lost in it's Constitution-focused battle, which rival Steven Douglas also used. So Lincoln adding this arrow to his argument quiver, which, via proximity to the Constitution where progress was not being made, makes sense..
The Declaration of Independence includes the "all men are created equal" and deserve the rights set forth in the Constitution focus.
Further, slaves understood the language of Biblical liberation, why we hear echoes of the spirituals they sang in their labors still. And many slaves saw the value of the Declaration in support of their "unalienable rights."
The link you provide takes religious Scripture, just as religious fundamentalists do, out of context.
For example, it quotes one line of a parable about slavery that calls for forgiveness. Only by parsing out the one line, it erroneously suggests the scripture condones slavery. Which it does not.
In another it parses three lines from a parable which, again, does not condone slavery.
This parable used the servant/master example, to speak in the contextual vernacular while proving a point that earnest commitment to ones tasks is good and willful neglect of ones work is not good.
It is frustrating that rhetoric like it, which preach to tolerance, use exactly the tactics they complain about.
I stand by my position regards Lincoln's sourcing more than science-only documents. I maintain, if he hadn't, as it was in the Scott case, his points would've been largely ignored. By weaving in all relevant evidence he bolstered his points,
Whether we agree with it or not, the Declaration was relevant.
But, I couldn't agree with you more regards the Preamble. It is, in my view, the purest interpretation of our Founders' intent.
Jason Kather
Oct 28 2011: One of my favorite lectures from Christopher Hitchens is on the "moral" list of 10 commandments.
- +1
An hour long, but very much worth watching.
Tanzi Gill
Oct 28 2011: I think as an individual, you need to take guidance from anywhere you can get, even if it is from science and/or from religion. We live in an age where now we can make better informed decisions due to scientific discoveries and also from a humble man who belongs to some religion. As you said below in some comment, its about can and not about want. People can learn IF they want to.
- +1
Joe Fletcher
Oct 28 2011: http://youtu.be/r6w2M50_Xdk Just watch it.Oct 24 2011: Matthieu,Some TEDsters may not have experience, but ethical practice of science is the norm. My 35-year career was inspired by chemical engineering ethics. It entails the application of prior knowledge to innovate and assure the economical and safe provision of products that actually help humankind.
- +1
Here's just one example. A boss called me to his office and said, "You indicated that we are not recognizing your contributions. You have a reputation for changing things. I have a plant expansion that has been designed over the last two years by two excellent chemical engineers. Your task is to review but not change the project, oversee purchase of the equipment, oversee installation, then restart the plant, on-time, in budget. If you accomplish those goals, I will see to it that you are recognized." I gladly accepted the job.
After reviewing the plant and the expansion scope, I contacted the chemical engineer who was operating the existing plant. When I asked if there had ever been a reportable incident—an injury or an environmental impact, he initially said, "No." A few minutes later, he said, "About five years ago, we had an overpressure and released on odorous gas that was noticed."
We investigated the incident by experiments that proved there had been a runaway reaction. We then designed some experiments to measure the limits of a runaway reaction and realized that the new, larger reactor could explode.
With the laboratory data, we designed a patented pressure relief system that assures public safety. In addition, we redesigned the reaction sequence so that a runaway was not possible.
These changes required a 15% budget overrun, six months delay, and lost sales due to the expansion delay.
I still have the letter of gratitude for the new reactor design, and I rose to the level "Technical Advisor," which on pay scale is equivalent to a supervisor.
Religion coerces people to favor believers and dust off non-believers. It's no good.
PhilOct 23 2011: I don't understand the system--preventing my response to Frans Keller, but regarding the stupidity remark, I respond:
It is alright to claim God exists. However, people who take the next step—describing or characterizing the God--may be taking risk they will regret. That is the clergy's second greatest fault—willfully taking that risk. Their greatest fault is persuading people to follow.
The clergy will not distract me again. Now I want relief from the financial, legal, and war burdens the clergy create. I appeal to believers for relief.
PhilOct 23 2011: I mean no offense to believers as I express my understanding. However, I think it is important for believers to know they adversely affect the lives of non-believers. Non-believers like me have carefully considered religion and decided life is better without it. I hope believers will patiently refute my thoughts and appreciate my defenses.
All humans live together as humankind and equally face the unknowns.
Science helps humankind without favoritism or judgment. For example, cellphones are available worldwide without regard for the users' religions. Evidence that evolution follows environmental change in the universe is available to everyone.
Religion's objective is to empower clergy over believers. Many people want subjugation to the clergy; consequently, Abraham Lincoln's dream of governance "of the people, by the people, and for the people" is rendered impossible.
The clergy claim to know what no one knows. Followers accept each clergy's distinct moral system. A religion's objective is extinction of competing religions, and, consequently, many believers hate nonbelievers. Mystery, spiritualism, and mysticism constructed by the clergy keep willing believers segregated.
From person to person, empathy may overcome hate. However, empathy cannot overcome religion.
Because each religion is morally divisive, religion cannot inform morality.
Science has no stake in the competition between religions, yet it informs morality by exposing the immorality of religion.
Believers who agree with these thougths could become inspired to reform religion.
Oct 23 2011: Phil--
Science, like religion, has a history of fomenting unintended consequences. Albert Einstein believed in God and his scientific research (to his dismay) was used for competitive ends:: nuclear weapons. Which many consider immoral.
Here is Einstein on God, mystery and religion:
"A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it is this knowledge and this emotion that constitute the truly religious attitude; in this sense, and in this alone, I am a deeply religious man."
Scientists--as scientists of integrity will attest--are no less human and prone to conveying "confirmation-bias" than others.
A particularly damaging example is Joseph Biederman, child psychiatrist at Harvard University and practitioner at Boston Mass.
His competitive streak amounted to a $1.6M conflict of interest.
This revealed after Sen. Charles Grassley and NIH spent years tracking his denial of unreported, unethical income from drug companies. His science, among other scary things, prescribes anti-psychotic drugs for children as young as two. Still, he practices on children, even as he uses them as research subjects for Big Pharma antiotes that are highly competitive.
Yes, some clergy do damage. But so do some scientists. Some scientists spread hate, too. It just is cloaked in more subtle vernaculars. And they have just as many believers -- including students -- who spread their biases. In fact, many research scientists and research universities clearly imply that faculty and students comply with their focus to improve their publishing rates, professional vitas and enrollment incomes.
In the purest understanding of scientific reasoning, it is anti-science to suggest scientists are better qualified to teach morals than others are.
All people can and must teach morals. First by modeling the ego-strength to admit they don't have the corner on al answers.
Oct 23 2011: Andrea, I appreciate your response. Yet, it ignores my concerns. I hope for dialogue that addresses my concerns.
Responding to yours, anytime I want to address the evil of religion, my example is Albert Einstein. He willfully used the "Cosmological Factor" to deny his 1905 mathematical model, which showed that the universe is dynamic. To "force the universe" to conform to his static paradigm, he added a fudge factor. Like all unethical scientists, he yielded to an ethical scientist. In 1930, he met with Edwin Hubble, who had observed the expanding universe. Einstein thanked Hubble for revealing Einstein's greatest "blunder."
Science corrected Einstein's scientific blunder, and he admitted it, as every caught scientist must. But Einstein never matured beyond religiosity, as you note. He once remarked to a young physicist: "I want to know how God created this world, I am not interested in this or that phenomenon, in the spectrum of this or that element." Such arrogance reflects his indoctrination by clergymen.
The discovery of nuclear weapons would have happened without Einstein. It is best that We the People discovered them. The fourth obligation of We the People (defined in the Preamble to the US Constitution) is defense. We the People have no defense against nuclear weapons if we have no nuclear weapons.
Unethical scientists (like Biederman) are evil. However, every clergymen is evil because he claims to know what he knows he does not know. The clergy are aware that there are plenty of gullible people and only few who care enough to examine their own religiosity, as I do. Nothing holds the clergy in check: religion does not have what science has—the unstoppable, noble march toward understanding.
There are two kinds of people: 1) women and men who seek understanding and 2) the clergy, who know everything—according to their differing opinions. I think men and women owe intolerance for the clergy's pretense.
Oct 23 2011: Phil--
I think you are communicating your bias against clergy over your preference for understanding.
Khalil Gibran on how defenses can be drawn down and war ceased. From "Peace Contagious"
"Then the two birds began to twitter and scold, and soon they were fighting and making harsh noise upon the air. All of a sudden two other sparrows came sailing from th sky, and they sat quietly beside the restless two. And there was calm, and there was peace."
And, multi-faith clergy seeking understanding in humane ways:
In the Holy Land, where, as in the U.S.. fundamentalist beliefs communicated as national rights that proclaim God as on their side. Are employed to blast the hell out of other humans in so-called "defense."
The visionary behind this "staying in relationship" journey, Fr. Michael O'Connell, is a friend of mine.
He has been instrumental in calling out his Catholic Church for evils. Notably priest pedophilia. His early work -- based on science and religion -- has paved the way for civil prosecution of church hierarchy. Including, recently, the bishop of Kansas City.
There are more servant leaders like him out there. They put their lives and livelihood at risk in defense of nonviolent solutions. And in doing, are among the true "angels" among us whose work, sometimes by design, doesn't get as much press as the uglier, more evil behaviors of fellow men and women.
But, as Gibran illuminates, their presence to peace and morality is contagious.
And, may be, as the sparrows unnoticed or hidden, but close to holy. If we pay attention, respect their methods, name not only evils, but also goods. And perhaps even adapt parts of their modeling, by communicating them, we can be carriers of.
A quote of Michael's I hope you'll appreciate:
"the deepest and most perduring teaching of our Church is that we are given a brain for a reason."
AndreaOct 23 2011: As I conclude Andrea's wise words: stupidity is everywhere but there's also light to clear the shadows.Oct 20 2011: Matthieu,
Neither science or religion is a better equipped teacher of morality. Neither has demonstrated sufficient evidence.
Both, in their best efforts, betray their best "moral" intents. Both, in roughly equal measure, consistently defend and rationalize irresponsible, incomplete and otherwise immoral information.
In other words: doctors of science are no less morally corruptible than religious leaders.
Demagogues on both sides -- particularly those who use the podiums favored by their fellow believers to promote their polarized positions -- are perhaps the biggest problem of all.
Exhibit A. I'd say, is: Harris himself.
Anyone who says "Notice we don't (judge) in science," (as Herris does) illuminates their "insiders bias." He sounds an awful lot like religious leaders who say "Notice we don't judge in our belief, only the other guys do."
I'd counter with this snippet edited to relate to your conversation, that I wrote on the Dalai Lama's method. His Holiiness marries "Scientific + Spiritual Enlightenment"
"Note to Enlightenment-minded skeptics: the definition of morality isn't limited to inter-connectedness achieved only via meditation, at religious schools, or wearing Marian mantles. And to those on the path of spiritual enlightenment: neither is it solely about hard-facts research-based dogma."
Human reflection, cultivated by the engaged application of diverse wisdom that is informed by religion, science and lived and expressed experience is the best informer of morality,
Self-righteous pontificators, be they anointed in an Ivory Tower or a Holy Temple should never be conferred the last word on what constitutes the most informed source of truth. Exactly because the source they profess points primarily at the institutional environment from which they come and were taught in.
These experts -- regardless how intellectual or spiritual they sound -- are the ones people who seek lives of integrity should be most skeptical of.


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American Airlines first Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet is scheduled to land at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Friday evening.
A loaded rifle was discovered in the carry-on bag of a passenger at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on Friday night.
A Georgia man remains in custody after US Marshals say they discovered 75 pounds of marijuana in his luggage at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
Planes rerouted to the Wichita Falls Municipal Airport from D.F.W. due to poor weather.


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EA shows a gameplay demo of the new Need For Speed: Most WantedRead More
Some highlights from Microsoft's E3 2012 Press ConferenceRead More
Don't miss E3 2012 press conferences by EA, Sony, Ubisoft and Nintendo – here's how you can watch the livestream of the videos.Read More
EA's extremely popular racing game, Need For Speed: Most Wanted is set for a comeback.Read More
A look at some of the best upcoming PC games showcased at Gamescom 2011Read More
Nintendo Wii U is the next generation gaming console from Nintendo which features a new touchscreen controller with motion sensing.Read More
Sony PlayStation 3D TV is an affordable 24 inch 3D display that is bundled with a pair of active shutter glassess and Resistance 3.Read More
Sony has announced the successor to the PlayStation Portable. It's PlayStation Vita (previously Sony NGP). Learn about the specifications, features, pricing, and release date of PlayStation Vita.Read More
Portal 2 Demos are all out! Check out the compiled Portal 2 demos on Techie Buzz's page!Read More
EA will be releasing a new refresh for the Need For Speed – Hot Pursuit this November. The game will go on sale on November 16, 2010 and pre-orders are available right now.Read More
Nintendo 3DS is finally revealed. Find out if it lives up to the hype.Read More
Watch Sony E3 2010 Press Conference online live. Sony will be holding a press conference at 12PM PT / 3PM ET on June 15 at E3 2010. You can watch the Sony Press Conference at E3 2010 Live.Read More
THQ has lined up three delicious new WWE titles for wrestling fans.Read More
Razer – one of the leading gaming peripheral maker has introduced a signature StarCraft gaming gear at E3.Read More
Watch Nintendo Press Conference at E3 2010 live online. Nintendo will be presenting at E3 2010, watch the live broadcast of Nintendo E3 2010 Press Conference Online Live.Read More


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Lecture on Mind-Body Connection and Medicine Held in Malaysia
On November 28, 2009, a lecture titled "Creating A Century of Life: The Significance of Mind-Body Interaction" was held at the Wisma Kebudayaan Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event was hosted by Dr Amir Farid Isahak, chairman of the Interfaith Spiritual Fellowship (INSAF). Dr. Christopher Boey Chiong Meng, pediatrics professor at the University of Malaya School of Medicine, delivered the lecture which some 220 attended.
Dr. Boey began his lecture discussing the history of medicine and how human illnesses began to be classified as either physical or psychological. He further explained that this way of thinking led doctors to view physical illnesses as merely cases to be treated, rather than taking a holistic approach of understanding a patient's emotional and mental states as well as needs.
Dr. Boey reported that now more doctors are beginning to recognize the important role the patient's mind plays in causing and curing diseases. Citing numerous examples, he explained that an understanding of the profound connection between the mind and body will lead to a greater appreciation of the tremendous healing potential that exists within each person. He ended the lecture by sharing his vision of a world where people take full responsibility for their health, which includes respecting the dignity of all life.
[Adapted from a report from Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM); photo courtesy of SGM]


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Best of August -1-6By admin on August 8, 2011This is it, the second week of awesome music. and its the best of the best, so you can't go wrong. Get it now, and keep the revolution going! Here's the Tracklist: Skizzy Mars – Tara J. Cole – Pity (Feat. Omen & Volli) PJ Simas - Sail Away Grieves – Against the Bottom Timeflies – Stunner Play-N-Skillz – Survivor [...]Read more
PJ Simas – Sail AwayBy admin on August 1, 2011Sacremento's talent, PJ Simas Just released this track and its pretty sick. this is another track off Simas' popular End of Summer School Remix Series. Simas go's in with some deep lyrics over music artist Fences' vocals from Macklamore's official remix of Otherside. PJ Simas – Sail AwayRead more


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A group that helped persuade voters to a $119 million building-improvement project for Fort Wayne Community Schools has been fined $250 for filing a late financial report. But it could have been much worse for the "REPAIR FWCS" political action committee if not for confusion over campaign-finance laws.
Because many PACs operate statewide, most file their reports in Indianapolis. As a result, the Allen County Election Board does not necessarily know when their paperwork is late, nor does it notify them within five days when a deadline is missed as required by law.
The FWCS PAC failed to file its pre-election form last October but the omission was not discovered until it submitted its annual 2012 report this month. PAC spokesman and former FWCS Board member John Peirce told the Election Board on Thursday that no report was filed in October because the vote was already over, having been held during the May primary.
The board could have fined the PAC up to $1,000 but levied $250 because it usually levies fines of $50 per day for such offenses and because the PAC was not notified after the five-day period that its filing was overdue.
The board Thursday also fined 19 current or former officeholders or candidates for failing to file their 2012 reports by the Jan. 16 deadline.


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You've come to Marshalltown Community College to set your life on a path toward success.
We will help you take the next step in your personal and professional development. Part of that important personal development is building and honing your skills as a money manager.
Believe it or not, the wise financial decisions you make today will lead to a financially fit tomorrow. And GradReady can help.
What is GradReady you ask?
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In other words, GradReady is your go-to personal finance buddy. Since you're here, why not get started?!
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Be ready for financial success with GradReady.


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What is Obama Hiding at His Wealthy Donor Fundraisers?
A common complaint about George W. Bush's second term is that he was "insulated" and cut off from the outside world, and increasingly so from what he perceived to be a hostile press. This alleged isolation caused many liberal commentators to begin to derisively refer to President Bush as a "Bubble Boy." It has taken considerably longer for the press to openly criticize Obama for | Read More »


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Senior Administration
Senior Administration Coaching Staff
Kevin White
Vice President, Director of Athletics & Adjunct Professor of Business Administration
Kevin M. White was named Duke University's vice president and director of athletics on May 31, 2008. He also serves as an adjunct professor of business administration at the university.
White, 63, joined the Duke family after leading Notre Dame's athletics program to success both on the playing fields and in the classroom from 2000-08. He also has held a number of prominent national leadership roles within intercollegiate athletics, including his service in 2006-07 as president of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and in 2005-06 as president of the Division I-A Athletic Directors Association. In 2006, White was named the GeneralSports TURF Systems Division I-A Central Region Athletic Director of the Year while at Notre Dame. In 2013, White was named one of four NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision recipients of the Under Armour AD of the Year Award presented by NACDA. White earned multiple awards in 2014, including the National Football Foundation's John L. Toner award and the Sport Business Journal's Athletic Director of the Year award.
Guided by the Strategic Plan that was approved by Duke's Board of Trustees in April of 2008, White made an immediate impact on Duke Athletics. In addition to leading the department to unprecedented success in competition, he reshaped the organization into a more efficient and modern department; strengthened ties to both campus and community constituents though consistent outreach efforts; successfully oversaw Duke's fundraising efforts during an economic downturn; completed partnerships with major corporate entities to enhance revenue streams; commissioned a master facilities plan to position Duke well into the 21st Century; and emphasized a stronger commitment to the university's intramural, club and recreational sports programs.
Since White's arrival, Duke has captured six NCAA Championships – women's tennis in 2009, men's basketball in 2010, men's lacrosse in 2010, 2013 and 2014, and women's golf in 2014 – and 17 ACC titles. On the strength of 20 teams participating in NCAA Championship competition and robust finishes in several sports, Duke ranked ninth in the 2014 Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings, which determine an institution's all-around strength in intercollegiate athletics. The ninth-place showing marked the 11th consecutive year that Duke has ended among the nation's top 20 programs. In 2011, Duke placed fifth, matching the school's best finish in the rankings and its 1171.50 points earned were the most in program history. In White's six years at Duke, the Blue Devils placed 17th (2009), 10th (2010), fifth (2011), 16th (2012), 12th (2013) and ninth (2014) in the Directors' Cup standings.
Fifty-six Blue Devil teams ranked among the nation's top 10 teams during the past six seasons with 10 – men's basketball (2009, 2010, 2011, 2013), men's lacrosse (2010, 2013, 2014) and women's tennis (2009, 2010, 2014) – reaching No. 1. In all, 95 Blue Devil teams advanced to NCAA postseason competition during White's Duke tenure.
Individually, 213 student-athletes earned All-America, 352 All-ACC and 193 All-Region or District honors the past six years. During White's tenure, Duke boasts 12 NCAA individual champions in Curtis Beach (indoor track and field heptathlon in 2012 and 2014), Juliet Bottorff (outdoor track and field 10k in 2011), Mallory Cecil (women's tennis in 2009), Abby Johnston (three-meter diving in 2011), Nick McCrory (platform diving in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014), and Becca Ward (women's fencing, saber in 2009, 2011 and 2012). In 2013-14, Duke celebrated two individual NCAA and 11 individual ACC titles.
Academically, Duke teams continued strong performances under White. In the 2014 spring semester, 25 of 26 Blue Devil varsity teams earned grade point averages of 3.0 or better and more than 86 made the Dean's List, while 495 Duke student-athletes made the All-ACC Honor Roll (led ACC for the 26th time in the last 27 years).
In two key elements in tracking a department's academic success, Duke ranked among the nation's best again. Duke posted a 98% Graduation Success Rate (GSR) and 17 teams achieved a 100% GSR. Also, an ACC-best 15 Blue Devil teams were ranked in the top 10% of their respective sports in the most recent Academic Performance Rate (APR) Report, including the men's basketball and football teams. In the 2013 report, Duke (989) ranked third among all FBS schools, behind only Northwestern (996) and Boise State (993), and eighth among all Division I – FBS and FCS – programs. In all, Duke totaled the highest APR scores among ACC institutions in 13 of the league's 25 sports ― men's basketball (995), football (989), men's golf (1000), men's lacrosse (997), men's soccer (995), men's swimming and diving (1000), men's indoor track and field (1000), men's outdoor track and field (1000), women's golf (1000), women's lacrosse (1000), rowing (1000), volleyball (1000) and wrestling (1000).
Four Duke student-athletes were selected as CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, while 35 others received National Scholar-Athlete or Scholar All-America accolades. In White's six-year tenure, former women's tennis player Parker Goyer won a Rhodes Scholarship (2009), while track and field student-athletes Sally Liu (2009) and Allie Speidel (2011) earned Marshall Scholarships.
Under White, Duke has continued its focus on outreach to the local community. Modeling the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills program's commitment to service, learning projects and outreach, over 500 Duke student-athletes across all sports participated in a combined effort of more than 2,000 community service hours during the 2013-2014 academic year.
White's commitment to the overall mission of the university remains clear. In May 2011, Duke Athletics announced that a portion of ticket sales from Blue Devil regular season home sporting events will be directed to the Duke University Libraries. Per White's vision, the Duke Athletics Library Fund has generated significant unrestricted revenue for the Duke University Libraries to support teaching and research across the institution.
In fall of 2012, Duke University announced the $3.25 billion Duke Forward fundraising campaign for priorities across Duke's 10 schools, Duke Medicine and a range of university programs. Included in the campaign is a $250 million goal for Duke Athletics to be divided three ways – for facility enhancements and support ($100 million), endowment income ($50 million) and operating funds ($100 million). In 2013-14, several facility projects were initiated or set for execution, including numerous renovations to Wallace Wade Stadium, modifications to the front of Cameron Indoor Stadium, and the new Scott Pavilion, which will house several of Duke Athletics' administrative units, as well as new strength and conditioning and sports medicine areas.
White, who holds a Ph.D. in education, has taught graduate-level classes since 1982 and currently teaches a sports business course in Duke's Fuqua School of Business as part of Duke's MBA program.
In August 2003, SI.com (the Sports Illustrated web site) listed White, then at Notre Dame, third in its rankings of the most powerful people in college football. In January 2004, The Sporting News listed him in its Power 100 as third among five names in the "front office" category (and the lone college athletics director among the 100).
White has served on numerous NCAA committees, including the NCAA Council, formerly the association's highest governing body. In 2012, White was among a select group of college and professional administrators asked to serve on the recently formed Expert Advisory Board for the Knight Commission. Moreover, he was the secretary of NCAA Football, a non-profit corporation acting as the "collective voice to promote college football," and serves on the Black Coaches Association Board of Directors. For several years, he was a representative with the football Bowl Championship Series. In addition, he previously was a member of the Rose Bowl Management Committee while at Arizona State, was an ex-officio member of the Sugar Bowl Committee during his tenure at Tulane and also worked closely with the Fiesta Bowl during his stay in Tempe.
Given his background and success, it is not surprising that 23 current directors of athletics were mentored by White. That impressive list of current ADs includes:
Sandy Barbour
Tulane (former)
California (former)
Penn State
Josh Berlo
Minnesota Duluth
Bob Bierie
Loras (former)
Thomas Boeh
Ohio University (former)
Fresno State
Greg Capell
Loras (former)
Vic Cegles
Long Beach State
Sandy Hatfield Clubb
Tom Collins
Ball State (former)
Boo Corrigan
Bubba Cunningham
Ball State (former)
Tulsa (former)
North Carolina
Scott Devine
St. Mary's College (MD)
Herman Frazier
Alabama-Birmingham (former)
Hawaii (former)
Rudy Keeling
Emerson (former)
Commissioner, ECAC (former)
Ian McCaw
Northeastern (former)
Massachusetts (former)
Bernard Muir
Georgetown (former)
Delaware (former)
Jim Phillips
Northern Illinois (former)
Bill Scholl
Ball State
Jim Sterk
Washington State (former)
San Diego State
Norwood Teague
VCU (former)
Tim Van Alstine
Western Illinois (former)
Cardinal Stritch University
Bruce Van de Velde
Utah State (former)
Iowa State (former)
Louisiana Tech (former)
Stan Wilcox
Florida State
Mark Wilson
Tennessee Tech
Prior to joining Notre Dame in 2000, White served as athletic director at Arizona State University, Tulane University, the University of Maine and Loras College in Iowa, where he originated the National Catholic Basketball Tournament.
Before becoming an administrator, White served as head track and field coach at Southeast Missouri State (1981-82) and assistant cross country and track and field coach at Central Michigan (1976-80). He began his coaching career at Gulf High School in New Port Richey, Fla., coaching cross country and track and assisting in football and wrestling.
White earned his Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University in 1983 with an emphasis on higher education administration. In 1985, he completed postdoctoral work at Harvard University's Institute for Educational Management. He earned his master's degree in athletics administration from Central Michigan University in 1976 and his bachelor's degree in business administration in 1972 from St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Ind., where he also competed as a sprinter. Additionally, White was recognized with honorary degrees from Loras College (2012), the United States Sports Academy (2007) and St. Joseph's College (2001).
White and his wife, Jane, a former college track and field coach, have five children and 10 grandchildren.
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Sowing the Seeds of Success
Food Systems is an exciting and flourishing domain of inquiry, one that looks at the complex and interdependent relationships between humans and their food - everything from microbes found in compost facilities to global trade agreements.
Always keeping in mind that food systems are evolving and dynamic, our curriculum integrates social science, humanities and natural science approaches to understanding connections among vital interests of humanity in creating nourishment, pursuing health and well-being and sustaining the environment.
Students examine the breadth and complexity of key issues in our contemporary food system:
- Collaborate with community partners to work on food systems problems and solutions
- Engage in hands-on, skill-based education from farm (field work) to plate (kitchen
work and food behavior) in field and laboratory settings
- Develop mixed-method, transdisciplinary research projects
Vermont As A Living Laboratory
Vermont, a small rural state in northern New England, is a national leader in innovative food systems work. Farm-to-Plate initiatives and regional food hubs are working to increase the amount of fresh, local foods to schools, institutions, restaurants and homes. Incubator farms are supporting the growth of sustainable food businesses. Stakeholders across the food system, including policy makers, see the investment in local food production as a way to stimulate economic growth. MS in Food Systems students will have multiple opportunities to gain practical experience while engaging with exciting projects in Vermont.


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Tarte Cosmetics 20% Off Coupon Code – February 2014
Tarte is giving you 20% off between now and 2/9 with code SWEET! Happy shopping!
Discussion and debate are highly encouraged, and we expect community members to participate respectfully. When asking a question, please check the FAQ section (above) for information about purchasing, price, dupes, and the like. If you have general feedback or need technical support, please contact us.
Comments that include advertisements, self-promotion, insults, etc. may be in violation of our comment policy and subject to deletion. Please see our comment policy for more information.


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I greatly enjoyed reading Susan Blackmore's article "Alien abduction, the inside story" (19 November). I wonder if she has read Asimov's "Foundation" series. In these stories Asimov proposed the concept of emotional alteration or control via electromagnetic fields, but suggested that affecting specific memories or thoughts in a predictable way was impossible because only a few neurons were involved.
Michael Persinger's magnetic fields seem to have induced fairly strong sensations and I wonder if the type and intensity of response to specific electromagnetic fields differs much between subject. The article has set me thinking ...
Are those who claim electrical storms affect emotions correct?
Do the relative positions of the Earth, Sun and Moon significantly affect electromagnetic fields, thus providing an explanation for those who swear that the phase of the Moon affects behaviour?
Perhaps there's room for a grant proposal here.
To continue reading this article, subscribe to receive access to all of newscientist.com, including 20 years of archive content.


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abuse images and criminally obscene adult content) through the
Internet Watch Foundation who will work
to have content removed and support investigations into these
criminal activities.
If you are concerned that somebody may be a victim of domestic
abuse you should use our online reporting form.
If you know someone is drink driving then you should use our
online reporting form.
If you are a witness or victim of hate crime please report using
hate crime form.
To report any crime not listed above, please call 101 or 999 in
an emergency. Information about which number to use can be found on
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Somerset, NJ September 3 - Students and recent graduates representing the next generation of hearing care professionals recently participated in two unique summer camps that combined seminars, discussions and workshops with opportunities to share experiences and network with leading researchers, experienced practitioners, Oticon staff and other new hearing care professionals.
At the eighth Eriksholm Summer Camp on the grounds of the world renowned Eriksholm Research Centre in Denmark, 56 new audiologists representing 27 countries, including four representatives of US audiology programs, participated in a three-day educational event sponsored by the Oticon Foundation. In Keystone, Colorado, 99 audiology graduate students from 39 US universities joined guest faculty and Oticon staff for the thirteenth annual Oticon Summer Camp, a six-day educational program that focused on the human side of the fitting process. The two knowledge-sharing gatherings offered new and student audiologists opportunities to explore their role in empowering people with hearing loss to live active, vital lives.
"Our goal is to give students who are the future of our profession a forum in which they can experience the kind of knowledge sharing and professional interaction that they may have limited access to in academic or preceptor settings," said Don Schum, PhD, Oticon's Vice President of Audiology and Professional Relations who developed the US summer camp program. "Oticon summer camps provide a broad range of lecture and workshop materials designed to supplement and complement the education that students receive in their university programs."
Highlights of this year's Eriksholm summer camp included sessions on "Collecting Insights" by the Ida Institute that featured discussion of fostering better understanding of the human dynamics associated with hearing loss and the newest practical tools to facilitate patient-centered care. Joel Beilin, Senior Director of Audiology and Algorithms at Oticon A/S presented "Trends in Audiology." Summer camp participants also enjoyed a rare look behind-the-scenes at Oticon's research capabilities and the ways in which the researchers, scientists and audiologists at the Eriksholm Research Centre apply the newest research findings to develop innovative hearing solutions.
Among the highlights of the US summer program were presentations by guest faculty members Brian Kreisman, PhD of Towson University and Eileen Rall, AuD of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia that focused on developing core counseling skills and the key elements of managing pediatric patients. Therese Velde, AuD of the Ida Institute introduced camp participants to the newest motivational tools developed by the non-profit organization. Dr. Schum discussed the use of patient variability to enhance the fitting process and management of patients from special hearing populations.
At both camp sessions, Oticon audiologists and trainers rounded off participants' summer camp experience with a variety of hands-on workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions.
"We are all in the profession for the same reason: we want people to live full, actives lives in which their hearing loss is not an issue", says Husmita Ratanjee, Audiologist and International Trainer at Oticon A/S who developed the Eriksholm camp curriculum. "Oticon summer camps challenge the newest generation of hearing care professionals to think about and discuss how to use the research, knowledge and technology we have at our disposal to achieve this shared goal."
For more information on Oticon visit oticonusa.com.


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The VWP is a mechanism by the US government that allows eligibility to certain nationals and passport holders of select countries to travel to the US without a visa.
Simply fill out the form and be ready with the details of your e-Passport. Upon submission of the documents online, payment is charged on your credit card. You will then receive an application number, which you can use to track the status of your application. This application number is also the reference number of your authorization. The application number will be updated when you secure or get another authorization after two years.
Unfortunately no, so it is important to copy the application number you will receive upon submission of your application. This is the only way you can log back into the system to check on your application status.
The ESTA is valid for a period of two years, after which you need to secure a new authorization again if you're traveling to the US. If you are also issued a new passport, you also need to get a new travel authorization.
No. There are also instances wherein an application for the travel authorization is disapproved. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that administers the ESTA also does not reveal or specify reasons why your application has been disapproved. Remember though that the ESTA is done to ensure that only those who are eligible to travel to the US under the VWP and those who do not pose any serious security risk or have no law enforcement violations can travel to the US.
If your application is disapproved, it is best to apply for a travel visa instead.


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- Category: Fantasy Football Archived Articles
Wondering whether you should draft Steven Jackson? James Lucas has the lowdown for you
Player: Steven Jackson
2012 Stats: Att: 257 Yards: 1042 TD: 4 YPC: 4.1
Current ADP: 18.3
Background: Steven Jackson is finally going to get a chance to play on a team that is going somewhere. He's finally getting a chance to play on a team that has a receiving game that will take the heat off him. When you look at a football player, this is a guy you have to like, and a guy you have to feel for. After being stuck with the Rams for the last 9 years, Jackson will finally get out of fantasy jail. Jackson is going to get the chance to play in a high powered offense, that is built to win now. He gets to play along side of Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Roddy White. While he no longer will be the focal point of his respective offense, this does not hurt his fantasy value in any way. Because he is going to get a lot more quality touches as compared to the touches he was seeing with the Rams.
Jackson has been a model of consistency, putting up over 1000 yards in every season except his rookie season. And doing this on a team where the opposing defense knew he was going to run the ball, and he was going to be the focal point of the offense. Besides a hiccup in 2007 & 2008 Jackson has been a fairly healthy player, and this is not a commodity to be taken lightly. Nothing ruins a season like losing one of your big point running backs. Especially in a world of fantasy football with workhouse running backs becoming a dying breed. Jackson is currently the 11th running back on average coming off the board, and is typically coming off the board in the second round. One thing to keep in mind is that people are shying away from Jackson because they don't know what to expect of the guy on his new team, and may fear backup running back Rodgers taking away carries from Jackson. But one thing to keep in mind is that a lot of the guys being taken ahead of Jackson also have question marks, some are untested/unproven. Just to name a few; Doug Martin, LeSean McCoy, C.J. Spiller. While I am high on Spiller, and others are too, he has never had to take on a full work load, and is being told he will be fed the ball "until he throws up". Spiller has had some injury problems, and no one knows exactly how he will hold up. But he is being taken ahead of Jackson (and rightfully so) because he has all of the up-side in the world, and is blessed with pure football skills. But lets not forget, if you can't stay on the field, you can't produce for fantasy lineups.
Trent Richardson is another guy being taken ahead of Jackson, and is again someone who is coming into his sophomore season, and is coming into the season injured. And while these guys MAY out produce Jackson, it's not safe to assume that all of them will out produce Jackson. I feel that Jackson may be a safer pick then all of these guys, but that is something you need to decide on draft day. Are you going to draft a team that is full of up-side, but slightly unproven guys? Or do you want to have some stability at the running back position, and draft a guy that has proven he can do it with a bad offense, and is finally getting a chance to do it on a high powered offense.
Reasons Jackson's draft stock may rise: More and more articles may start coming out about Jackson as the season nears. I have seen an uptick in them (and I am adding to it), about what this guy could be capable of this year. After years of being stuck on the Rams, fantasy managers may be taking a closer look at Jackson, and reviewing the stats he put up with the Rams. And some may be shocked to find out he has rushed for 8 straight 1000 yard seasons. Jackson is the type of player that has probably fallen off the map in a lot of standard scoring (non PPR) leagues, because of the fact of his lack of touchdown production with the Rams. Jackson has seen a ridiculously low amount of touches inside the red zone as compared with other running backs. So even though he has had the yardage, he is not a top flight back without those touchdowns. It's easy to see Jackson reaching double digit touchdowns again, thus propelling him back onto the radar of standard scoring leagues. And propelling him even higher in PPR leagues. And I feel that this speculation of what Jackson can finally do on a high powered offense is going to inflate his value as we get closer to the season, so you may see his ADP rise by the week.
Reasons Jackson's draft stock may fall: I would say the biggest fear that some fantasy managers have about drafting Jackson is his back up Jacquizz Rodgers. Some fear that the Falcons are likely to try to get this guy more and more involved in the offense. And Rodgers is more likely then Jackson to put on a show this pre-season. Simply due to the fact, that Rodgers is going to see more touches than Jackson, and is going to be trying to prove himself more. Jackson's YPC in the preseason are a good candidate to be very low. The Falcons have an established offense, and not a lot of new pieces on offense. They are not going to need to expose a ton of their playbook on offense during the preseason. Which is going to limit Jackson to some very basic run schemes/play calls, and likely will not result in Jackson ripping off huge gains. This is an offense full of talented veteran guys, who simply don't need the preseason work, and won't be straining themselves out there. And then of course there is the dreaded number 30, Steven Jackson is 30 years old. And he has a lot of miles on those legs. Running backs tend to die off once they enter their 30's, and this may scare managers away from drafting Jackson.
Conclusion: I say pull the trigger on Jackson, especially in PPR leagues. He is going late second round, and in PPR leagues, I see his value escalating. I am going to be grabbing him if I am selecting mid to late second. And I could even argue drafting him ahead of guys like Trent Richardson & Alfred Morris. I feel that Jackson is going to benefit with some wide open running lanes with the Falcons. He is going to get exponentially more chances to score from inside the 10 yard line. In the past three years combined, Jackson received a dismal 41 carries inside the opponents 10 yard line. The RB he is replacing, Michael Turner, received 102 in that same time frame. Jackson has a nose for the end zone, and I believe he is going to capitalize on these likely increased touches from inside the 10. While I don't love the fact he is 30 years old, Jackson is the ultimate competitor. He will play through injury on losing teams, and will keep himself in the best shape he can. And that work ethic should afford Jackson the ability to get some more useful years into his 30's. He should feel rejuvenated with the chance to play on this offense, and play for a team that is sniffing a super bowl. And I have no problem hitching my wagon to a rejuvenated work horse. Draft above ADP if you are worried about losing him, and draft with confidence. Double digit touchdowns await Jackson, and chalk up another 1000 yard season.
Twitter - @JimLucasFFW


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Electric Energy Storage: Future Energy Storage Demand (Annex 26)
The future of electricity network involves a massive penetration of unpredictable renewable energies. For insuring network stability as well as for maximizing the energy efficiency of such networks, storage is a key issue. Up to now, the integration of renewable energies did not take into account the demand side and was performed in a "fit and forget" way. The optimum evolution in an economic perspective is in the future to have an integration that is respecting the needs. One solution – beneath demand side management and grid extension – is the use of energy storages. The main purpose of adding energy storage systems in the electricity grid is to collect and store overproduced, unused energy and be able to reuse it during times when it is actually needed. Essentially the system will balance the disparity between energy supply and energy demand. Worldwide between 2% and 7% of the installed power plants are backed up by energy storage systems (99% pumped hydro systems). The future demand of energy storage devices is actually unknown. Only the main influence factors on this demand are known.
The overall objective of this task is to develop a method or approach to calculate the regional energy balancing demand and to derive regional storage demand rasterizing the area and taking into account that there are competitive technical solutions. This objective can be subdivided into ten specific objectives:
- To rasterize the whole area to typical small self-similar elements,
- to identify and characterize typical fluctuating energy demand for different elements which stands for different regions and grid situations (e.g. intermeshing),
- to identify and characterize typical fluctuating energy production (wind, PV) for different elements which stand for different regions and renewable energy potential (e.g. wind velocity),
- to identify and characterize typical conventional energy production (gas turbine, nuclear power plant) for different elements which stand for different regions and conventional energy production,
- to reduce different grid structures to a fistful typical systems and to simulate their inner intermeshing and their exterior connectivity (transport, import, export),
- to derive balancing demand for each typical region,
- to derive energy storage demand as a share of the total balancing demand, taken into account that the most successful economic solution will be realized,
- to develop a method or model to transfer these results to other countries and regions,
- to assess the technical and economical impact of energy storages on the performance of the energy system, and
- to disseminate the knowledge and experience acquired in this task.
A secondary objective of this task is to create an active and effective research network in which researchers and industry working in the field of electric energy storage can collaborate.
If you are interested in this new Annex activity, please contact Christian Doetsch .
Integration of Renewable Energies by Distributed Energy Storage Systems (Annex 28)
Operating agent:
Dr. Andreas Hauer
Bavarian Center for Applied Energy Research, ZAE Bayern
Dr. Christian Doetsch,
Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT
Start: January 2014
End: December 2016
The Implementing Agreement "Energy Conservation through Energy Storage" (ECES) approved at the Executive Committee Meeting in 2-3 December 2013 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, the new Annex on the "Integration of Renewable Energies by distributed Energy Storage Systems". This Annex should focus on the overall storage properties and their impact on the integration of renewable energy rather than the specific challenges of each energy storage technology. Collaboration with other Implementing Agreements (IA) within the IEA Technology Network and other institutions active in the field of distributed energy storage is crucial for this Annex.
The contribution of renewable energy to overall global energy production is expected to grow worldwide. Most renewable energy sources, like wind, PV, and solar-thermal are fluctuating resources. Significant storage capacity is needed to smooth out these fluctuations for reliable future energy systems. At the moment the focus is on large, central energy storage technologies like pumped hydro or the conversion of surplus electricity into fuels such as hydrogen or methane. The potential for small, distributed energy storage technologies remains mostly unexplored.
The overall goal of Annex 28 is to foster the role of DES and to better evaluate the potential storage capacities for the integration of renewables at an economical competitive level. To reach this goal, distributed energy storage technologies and their properties will be examined, storage properties requirements depending on the different renewable energy sources will be reviewed and possible control and operation strategies for DES and technologies by smart grids will be studied. Finally the potential of DES systems for the integration of renewable energies based on the actual final energy demand shall be quantified and guidelines for choosing the most suitable DES technology for the actual application will be developed. Best practice and success stories examples will be given.
The scope of this Annex includes all energy storage technologies suitable on the consumer side. Three main fields of application – households, trade and commerce and industry – will be investigated.
The kick-off workshop and experts meeting will take place in Munich. Germany on April 9-11 2014.
If you are interested in more information, please contact Andreas Hauer
Material Research and Development for Improved TES Systems (Annex 29)
Operating agent:
Dr. Andreas Hauer
Bavarian Center for Applied Energy Research, ZAE Bayern
Start: January 2013
End: December 2015
At the Executive Committee Meeting in Auckland, New Zealand, November 2012, this Annex was approved. The objective of this joint Task with the IEA Solar Heating & Cooling Implementing Agreement is to continue the activities started in Annex 24 "Compact Thermal Energy Storage: Material Development for System Integration".
From the experience of the experts in the first period of the Task, it was concluded that one strong point elaborated is the interaction between the materials experts and the application experts, and the facilitation of this interaction by the division of the work into two subtasks: materials and applications.
The experiences of Annex 24 lead to a structure of the new Annex 29, with three materials working groups, one subtask for applications and one working group on economical evaluation of thermal energy storage (TES) systems.
The economical evaluation will be performed by a bottom-up approach (while in Annex 24 a top-down approach was used). A questionnaire was sent out to predict the expected cost of each storage system, including material and other components. Within the material oriented working groups, novel storage materials – phase change materials or working pairs for thermo-chemical reactions – will be developed, tested and characterized. Finally they should be described by multi-scale simulation models in order to predict their performance under the operation conditions given by the application subtask. This subtask is responsible to define reference conditions for relevant application field for TES.
Next Experts Meeting and Workshop will be held in Lyon, France, on April 28-30 2014. More information can be found at http://task42.iea-shc.org/
Annex 31
Energy storage with Net Zero Energy Buildings and Districts: Optimization and Automation
Further research is needed to develop efficient and reliable design approaches and operating strategies for storage in conjunction with thermal and electrical energy produced on-site in buildings and districts, and to support intermittency in the external grid. Previous annexes have dealt with some issues in this area. ECES Annex 7 evaluated various strategies for energy storage control and operation for industrial and building applications, but focused only on cold storage. ECES Annex 19 dealt with the optimization and improvement of industrial process heat and power generation with thermal energy storage techniques, but focused only on high temperature applications. ECES Annex 23 deals with the application of energy storage to various types of EEBs, but focused mainly on the development of simulation tools and not on the integration, and development of control strategies. ECES Annex 24 mainly focused on the development of advanced materials and systems for the compact storage of thermal energy.
Research in the area of design and analysis of energy efficient buildings and districts is inherently interdisciplinary. The current research approach to energy efficiency, though multidisciplinary in principle, is hindered by the lack of effective tools, methodologies, and demonstrations that address interdisciplinary aspects of the effective integration of storage in buildings and districts.
In addition, the concept of energy use and storage integration with renewable energy technologies for buildings and districts requires not only integration and optimization but also accurate forecasting and controls to predict and react to future energy demand as well. For example, weather forecasts and building dynamics can be integrated into the energy management system to improve predictions of renewable energy generation and expected electrical, heating and cooling demands. This allows an appropriate orchestration of energy conversion systems and storage to maximise overall performance. This objective can be subdivided into five specific objectives:
A.To assess the technical potential and total performance of energy storage systems in energy efficient buildings and districts.
B.To develop methods and tools to evaluate and optimize the total performance (energy, environmental, and economical) of whole systems.
C.To develop efficient and advanced control algorithms and/or strategies for the operation of whole systems, for different climatic conditions and energy markets,
D.To develop and provide design guidelines for integrating energy storage into energy efficient buildings and districts,
E.To demonstrate and disseminate the knowledge and experience acquired in this Annex through case studies and validated demonstration projects.
Operating agent
Fariborz Haghighat,email@example.com
Annex Text Proposal is available here