Monday, April 30, 2007

OK, So I am a freak

From: Mike
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 10:44 AM
To: R, Chris
Subject: Former student

Hi Chris,

I was a student in Chris R’s advanced chemistry class at Chi-Hi 1987. Wow 20 years ago. Do you have any recollection of teaching that class? Or have I contacted the wrong Chris R?

-Mike


From: Chris R
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 3:08 PM
To: Mike
Subject: RE: Former student

Mike,

Good to hear from you after all these years. Yes, I am the same Chris R from Chi-Hi. I still teach at Chi-Hi during the day, but for the last ten years or so, I have been "moonlighting" here at UWEC. I teach evening lecture and/or lab sections of the General Chemistry courses.

Because I have had so many students over the years, it sometimes takes a little bit of time to remember people, but the answer to your questions is "yes". I do remember you and many of your classmates quite well.

You have also made me curious as to how and why you might have come across my name and emailed me.

Chris R


Mr. R,

I'm glad to hear that you're still teaching. You're one of the best. But I'm sure you're tired of hearing that. As for me, I went on to UWEC and graduated with a Mathematics degree. After that I spent some time in The Gambia, Africa teaching math in the Peace Corps. I've been here in Mankato, MN for the last 12 years or so. I'm working as a developer at Firepond, a small software company.

The reason for my e-mail is that I have been digging for info on the global warming issue. It seems like there is a lot of information (and misinformation) out there on the subject. One group of people shows data and explains how it backs their theory. The other group claims that the science of the first group is flawed. Initially I was in the global warming camp. Maybe just because it was considered the popular, responsible viewpoint. And being environmentally conscience is never a bad thing right? But lately I've heard more of the opposing arguments:

  • CO2 produced by man is an insignificant amount of the greenhouse gasses
  • Solar activity is the cause of climate change, not greenhouse gasses
  • Historically, CO2 level changes lag the temperature changes by 100s of years, indicating that temperature is the cause and CO2 level is the effect - not the other way around.

All this made me think back to your class. One of the things I learned in your class maybe wasn't exactly an intended lesson. I remember doing all the cool experiments involving pipettes, Bunsen burners, centrifuges, precipitates... I also remember that the expected outcome of the experiment was often made known to us before we started. And to be honest, I remember more than one time when the darn data didn't cooperate with the expected result. Then what? We'd rerun the experiment. Or if we didn't have time we'd (Gasp!) massage the data. I have to wonder if the same thing applies to the CO2 studies. The scientists running the experiments may have a preconceived idea of what the outcome should be. And maybe they have a vested interest in arriving at that conclusion. Now that I think about it, I’m sure you did intend to teach us the scientific process. But I guess I also learned how easily it is ignored. Of course, I realize that anything we can do to minimize pollution and waste is a good thing. I'm just wondering if human produced CO2 is truly a big deal. If it's not, then I object to the use of misinformation, fear and shame as means to motivate others to change. Even though I do, for the most part, think that the proposed changes are for the best.

Another thing I remember about your class was that you set aside time for us to ask you any question at all related to science. I found myself wishing I could ask your opinion about this stuff. Then I thought, crazy as it sounds, I should just e-mail you. So I did. If you don't mind, would you share your thoughts with me? Thanks so much,

Mike



{...awkward silence...}


Monday, April 09, 2007

Oh no he didn't

Yesterday while we were eating supper, Jacob accidently dropped some of his food on the floor. Just like he does every day. But today he actually got off his chair and got down to pick it up. I was thinking, "Hey, wow! He's picking up after himself. This must a reflection of us doing a good job of parenting. Some of the stuff we are telling him to do is finally getting through to him. I'm so proud of him. What a sweet boy." Then he said, "Oops, my bad." Maybe we need to think about home-schooling.