Science and Sciencibility

Mohammad Gill

Science and Sciencibility is a venue which has inspired me to write on scientific topics from a populist viewpoint. At first, I wrote tentatively arguing to myself whether such writing would sit well and interest the general Chowk readership. Or, will they regard it kind of 'ostentatious' on my part.? I like to believe that their response is positive.

As I have argued in one of my essays (not yet submitted for publication), although science is the spice of (my) life, one needs much more besides it for having harmony in life. I sought such harmony in writing articles like Bald Angel, Sheedah Badma'ash, Ishq Baazi Kun Keh Sufi Mathematics Mushkal Ast, etc.

Ghalib's verse:

Aatay hain Ghaib sey yeh mazameen khyal mein

Ghalib sareer-i-khamah nawa-i-sarosh haiy

(Inspiration for such ideas comes to me from Ghaib (Unknown, Unseen)

Ghalib, the sound of the movement of pen is the sound of the fluttering of the angels' wings)

is what 'fires' me.

Column Articles

Musharraf’s Days are Numbered Jan 24, 2008

From all political portents, it seems it’s time for Musharraf to go. If he doesn’t leave voluntarily, he’ll be helped out by force – by the army of course.

Search for the God Particle Nov 21, 2007

Pursuit of no other scientific theory has been so intensely single-minded nor so expensive, even the search for cure for cancer, as the search for Higgs boson or the god particle.

Can Religious Leaders Redeem the Future of the World? Oct 12, 2007

138 prominent Muslim scholars have written an open letter to Pope Benedict XVI calling for religious harmony between Christians and the Muslims.

Rote Learning Vis-à-vis Physical Comprehension Jul 19, 2007

It’s beautiful to design an experiment. It’s equally beautiful to construct a working theory from the empirical information.

Carl Friedrich Gauss Jun 15, 2007

It is said that Archimedes knew all the mathematics that was developed up to his time and some more. The same is said of Newton and Carl Gauss.

In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth Apr 22, 2007

If religion is to follow the scientific lead, it then becomes falsifiable like science. When a religion becomes falsifiable, it loses its divine base and its God ceases to be as mighty as we conventionally believe It is.

Johannes Kepler – A Mysterious Cosmographist Mar 23, 2007

He lived his life in poverty and misery but he immortalized himself by formulating his three laws of cosmology. He was a humble person who said, “there was nothing I could state that I could not also contradict.”

Is “Strings” a Dud Theory? Feb 1, 2007

String theory is criticized by its critics mainly because they claim that it doesn’t make any testable predictions. The few predictions that it does make are the ones which other existing theories had already made. So in their opinion, string theory

Bio-Science at the Crossroads Dec 21, 2006

If there ever was a time to call science into discipline, it was now. It was widely stated that contrary to the Biblical injunction, man was playing God. Cloning of humans meant that the natural process of insemination and procreation would be made redund

Which Islam? Nov 24, 2006

Although many of us despise the western style secularism, western science and philosophy, western democracy, and modernity, we do not have any reasonable and pragmatic substitutes for them. The result is an intellectual schism.

Religious Conservatism and Science Nov 13, 2006

Those who seriously object and obstruct the stem cell research do so on moral grounds. They know that the embryo from which the cells are obtained is destroyed in the process. Destruction of an embryo is tantamount to killing a human being.

Politics of the Mid-Term Elections Oct 31, 2006

No wonder that the war on terror remains awry because much of it is fought to project the administration’s image against the democrats who are labeled as ‘cut and run’ strategists.

Subramanyan Chandrasekhar - an Astrophysicist Par Excellence Sep 27, 2006

Although Chandra was bitter about Eddington’s treatment, they let “bygones be bygones” eventually. Eddington promoted Chandra’s election to the Royal Society in 1944. According to Eugene Parker, a colleague at University of Chicago

Comprehending Time Sep 8, 2006

We usually have an intuitive perception of time but when we are asked to explain what it is, we find ourselves at a loss to describe it consistently.

For the Heck of It Aug 27, 2006

The critics and analysts have been trying to figure out what is common in existentialism and Bush’s faith as a re-born Christian. The main character in the novel, Meursault, shot and killed an Arab. The magistrate who was examining him was a true Ch

Mission Accomplished II Aug 16, 2006

Although nothing is still very certain; anything may happen to a shaky ceasefire negotiated by the UN, it is a hopeful sign that both sides are willing to observe truce as much as possible. Like the earlier UN resolutions, the current resolution also may

Winning by Losing in the Middle East Aug 3, 2006

The ongoing war is not between Israel and any bona fide government of the Middle Eastern countries; it is between Israel and Hamas (a Sunni resistance group; it has won the elections in Palestine and has formed its government also) and Israel and Hizbulla

A New Middle East Jul 27, 2006

The latest conflict has shown that the Arab and the Muslim world is not showing any signs of relenting and recognizing the state of Israel; they are becoming, on the other hand, more hardened and resisting. Given these realities, is there any chance for t

War on Terror – An Internal Front Jul 13, 2006

But what to do with the terrorists who were arrested during the execution of these wars? Were they to be treated like the prisoners of war under the Geneva Conventions or were they to be dealt with differently? The administration

American Ambivalence on National Language Jun 24, 2006

The American nation consists of immigrants from diverse countries. For fear of imposing any specific language and the associated culture on the diversity of the American population, the question of a national language is left in limbo

The Birdman of India Jun 1, 2006

I had never heard of Salim Ali before in my life because I was not interested in the birds and bird-watching. Seabrook’s article intrigued my curiosity and I set out finding who the distinguished Indian ornithologist, Salim Ali, was...

A Challenge to Saudi Culture May 15, 2006

’Keif-al-Hal’, a first Saudi budget and featured movie, has opened a tightly sealed door on entertainment in S. Arabia. If an accommodation can be created for movie-making in the Shariah, there is hope that other outdated injunctions can also

Theory and the Facts of Life May 7, 2006

We should Islamize the western system of governance and root out the corruption. Corruption exists in the western countries also but it has not become the way of life; it has not sapped the vitality of social life

The People's Poet Apr 24, 2006

I don’t know if Ahmed Faraz was exiled by Zia-ul-Haq after his poem Mohasarah or earlier than that but Zia was a simple-minded soldier who could appreciate the antics of Shatrughan Sinha’s acting but not Faraz’s poetry

Idiosyncrasies of Some Great Scientists Apr 10, 2006

Although they live in this world, they somehow belong to another one. It is idiosyncrasies which make them ‘human’. Think of Einstein: the picture of an unkempt shock of hair on the head of a mustached elderly man emerges

Apostasy and Islam Mar 27, 2006

Abdul Rahman has been awarded the death sentence for converting to Christianity. Isn't there any room for individual choice in the Muslim world? There have been a few protests, but we must review the issue of apostasy and let the Quranic injunction prevai

The Islamic Scholar as Feminist Mar 6, 2006

It is difficult for a person like Farzana Hassan not to draw hostile comments from different sources. But she has attracted a greater deal of appreciation for her work from those who are aware of her constructive contribution to humanity

Temporary Marriage in Islam Feb 8, 2006

In addition to mutah, there is another situation of temporary marriage in Islam called “Nikah Halala” which arises when a husband pronounces a triple talaq in quick succession in a fit of rage. This severs the matrimonial bond

Dilemma of Mixed Unions Jan 25, 2006

The marriages in which there is absolutely no compromise and accommodation regarding the individuals’ religious backgrounds, culture and cultural practices, usually end up in acrimony, fiasco, or remain unduly in enduring and stressful relationships

The Yin and Yang of Domestic Surveillance Jan 18, 2006

If this were so simple and straightforward, nobody would question it. But, it’s not. Yes, the president has the authority for domestic eavesdropping but it needs to be endorsed by the FISA

The 'h' Index – A Measure of Quality of Scientific Research Jan 3, 2006

If a scientist has received a Nobel Prize, he doesn’t need any other measure for the quality of his/her research work.It is however desirable to have a convenient measure to describe and quantify the quality of research of other lesser scientists

Happy Holidays Versus Merry Christmas Dec 21, 2005

Christian sensibilities are hurt if Christmas greetings are not made specific. Even though the US has a secular constitution, the majority of the population is historically Christian

Cut and Run Dec 7, 2005

The clamor to “cut and run” became louder. The opponents of war are more and more convinced that the situation in Iraq is more similar to Vietnam than different from it. And it is equally “un-winnable” and unrewarding.

Global Warming and Hurricanes Nov 23, 2005

Therefore there are not many conclusive and definitive studies of the effects of global warming on hurricanes. However, there is a preponderance of consensus that the global warming

Caught in a Rove: Will Bush Fight it? Nov 10, 2005

What goes around does indeed come around. I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, Jr., the alter-ego of Vice President Dick Cheney and his Chief of Staff “was indicted Friday (October 28) on charges of obstruction of justice, making a false statement

Flying Spaghetti Monsterism Oct 4, 2005

In the mean time, a new theory of intelligent design, which I call intelligent design II, has sprouted. The creator of this theory is Bobby Henderson who is a graduate of Oregon State University with a degree in physics. He propounded this satirical theor

Decline of Science in the Muslim World Sep 1, 2005

They (Muslims) tried to find reasons and rationale for every thing in religious terms. This mode of thinking which some like to call Islamic occasionalism is part of the collective psyche of the orthodox Muslim world and has existed from the very beginnin

Was Muslim Astronomy the Harbinger of Copernicanism? Aug 9, 2005

In as much as the mathematization of the planetary movement was concerned, the Musilm (Arab) contribution cannot be ignored particularly in view of the fact that they developed trigonometry, algebra, and spherical trigonometry, and this knowledge was fund

Fraud and Forgery in Science Aug 2, 2005

Fraud and forgery is rare in the science world but it’s there.

Einstein’s Love Life Jul 20, 2005

In spite of his marriage to Elsa, Einstein sought sexual favors from other women also. In the early 1920s, he fell in love with a friend’s niece. To keep her in Berlin, he hired her as a secretary. Elsa permitted Albert to see his mistress twice a w

Paleoanthropology and Evolution of Humankind Jul 11, 2005

The idea of descent from a common ancestor was given by Charles Darwin in 1850s. This idea was so revolutionary that almost all the scientists who were trying to understand the biological evolution accepted

Age of the Earth and Its Measures Jun 8, 2005

As a footnote, I started this essay with an ayat from the Quran, which enjoined people to study the signs of God. Ironically, it is the non-Muslim world that followed this injunction, studied the signs of nature, and developed the human knowledge to its p

Twenty Years After May 29, 2005

Despite this gloomy view, many young physicists are attracted by the galore of the string theory and they have staked their careers on the possibility of shining light on the dark areas in the theory. There is another attractive feature of the string theo

Intelligent Design or Accident? May 17, 2005

The critics do not pick so much on evolutionary process, it is the mechanism of Darwin’s natural selection, which is targeted. Had there been a convincing proof (empirical evidence) of this mechanism, the critics would have been silenced.

Did Wallace forestall Darwin? Apr 28, 2005

As the historical facts bear out, (Alfred Russel) Wallace did not forestall Darwin in formulating the theory of natural selection but he did rattle Darwin to the extent of enervation, and forced his hand to publish his research immediately. ....

Intelligent Design versus Natural Selection Apr 17, 2005

Both parties interpret the scientific data from their own vantage point and seek support for their respective positions. But it is only the scientists who collect such data not only to refute the creationists but to do what they normally do, namely, to ad

Prize and Prejudice Mar 10, 2005

According to Helge Kragh (2), “Until 1922, Einstein had been nominated no fewer than 62 times, and only one of the nominations mentioned the photoelectric effect specifically. The Swedish physicist who wrote the report on Einstein’s theory of

What is Islamization of Science? Jan 19, 2005

If science developed by Muslim scientists is to be called Islamic science, sure, it can be created if the Muslim scientists concentrate and produce some original work in scienc. But this sort of symbolization is apocryphal...

Bishop Spong’s Critique of the Traditional Christianity Dec 20, 2004

Apropos of crucifixion of God together with Jesus Christ, Spong (9) remarked, “..any god who can be killed ought to be killed.”....

Some of My Mentors in Professional Life Dec 9, 2004

When I opened his paper, my heart jumped into my throat and I was overcome by excitement. The point of departure of Henderson’s paper was the same as that of mine (Einstein’s bed load formula)...

Cosmological Fantasies Nov 17, 2004

We are at a stage where we can construct sophisticated mathematical theories and successfully use them for making predictions but are unable to have realistic insights into the physical reality of the predicted events and phenomena. Considered in this ...

Physical Theory and Empirical Verification Oct 21, 2004

As more and more diverse phenomena were related in the threads of mathematical theories, these theories became ever more sophisticated and complex. For this reason, they were getting....

Of Brane New World! Oct 7, 2004

It has been the most cherished dream of man ever since he evolved into homosapien to comprehend the world in which he lived...

Science versus Non-Science Aug 21, 2004

Generally, even a neat and tidy scientific theory bound together with immaculate logic does not get published or if published does not receive acceptability until it is verified by actual observations or laboratory data. Exceptions are there but ..

Abdus Salam - The Miracle Scientist of Pakistan Jul 26, 2004

To some people, Salam’s genius was a kind of mystery. His approach to the problems that he worked on could be illusive and not self-evident...

Tragic Deaths of Three Great Scientists Jul 2, 2004

The great era of Greek mathematical science, which began with the birth of a man, ended with the death of a woman.

Will the String Theory Tie Them All Together? Jun 18, 2004

...It is a very strange research career, in a way. So far, I’ve spent something like 17 years working on a theory for which there is essentially no direct experimental support. It’s a very precarious way to live and to work....

Writing the Encyclopedia of Britannica on the Head of a Pin May 17, 2004

Feynman was not only a great scientist, but he was a great seer and a sage also. He could perceive and think of objects which ordinary scientists found hard to imagine.

Limitations of Science Apr 23, 2004

Science does not have answers to all the questions ... Religion may not be true in every thing ... we need other things to have a harmonious life.

Quantum Computer - New Technology for the New Century Apr 4, 2004

The quantum logic is different from the classical logic. The Schrodinger cat can be dead, alive, or dead and alive at the same time........

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