germs, guns and steel

Why hasn't anyone tried to adapt science books for the screen? I don't mean science fiction. Like, why isn't there a film version of The God Delusion? Why hasn't anyone adapted Jared Diamond? I am pretty sure that a film version of The Dragons of Eden would be killer. I think the idea I am having now would incorporate other scientists talking about what they think about whatever scientist i choose to adapt. I am thinking in particular of the section in Michael Shermer's The Borderlands of Science where he examines the work of Carl Sagan mostly through the words and opinions of other scientists. Sagan is a hero to me, a consumer of popular science books, because he was one of the first to articulate science to a generally non-science audience. but how does the scientistic community view him? Some feel that he is a great populizer of science but a bad "hard" scientist. Others think of him as opportunistic and homophobic. I believe that I could turn that section into a film, perhaps something along the lines of F for Fake. maybe some of Shermer's arguments about the nature of human self-deception and how it is so easily exploited by charltans could tie into the themes of F for Fake, such as notions of authenticity and fakery. Wellse explored the material not in a documentary way, but also in a way that isn't quite fiction, either. It's some strange hybrid of the two. I think i could replicate some of the feelings and ideas that Wellse' film explores. Note to self: re-watch F for Fake. And read more of Peter Woit or find someone who can. His work is citical of string theory and Shermer has a section on that in The Borderlands of Science, too.

doubt as a tool for life

I realized a long time ago that I will always feel this way. Deep, profound doubt is just as relevant as deep, profound belief. And, paradoxically, by not expecting to find truth, you find that you actually are existing in truth at this very second. The only truth is your personal, subjective experience.