René Descartes, mainly esteemed as a pivotal figure in contemporary philosophy, also significantly influenced a range of scientific disciplines, such as mathematics, optics, physics, and astronomy. While his philosophical concepts receive admiration, his scientific contributions are often overlooked, perhaps due to inaccuracies in his theories or the rapid developments by successors like Christiaan Huygens and […]
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**Unveiling ‘The Choice Engine’: A Revolutionary Journey into Free Will** After much anticipation, a project that has been in development for an extensive period has finally come to fruition, igniting excitement and intrigue across psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy. Unveiled as an interactive essay named “The Choice Engine,” this extraordinary endeavor is now accessible, vowing to […]
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Oliver Selfridge played a pivotal role in the early exploration of artificial intelligence, most notably remembered for his 1959 presentation of the Pandemonium architecture. This framework proposed a system where simple components, each designated for a specific function, worked together to perform intricate cognitive tasks. Selfridge’s research considerably influenced developments in neural networks, acting as […]
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On August 31, the New York Times released an opinion article authored by William J. Broad entitled “Historians Observe Autocratic Strategies in Trump’s Assaults on Science.” The piece seeks to establish connections between former President Donald Trump’s purported animosity towards science and historical examples of autocratic dominance over scientific discourse, with particular emphasis on the […]
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This article serves as a thought-provoking critique of Jim Al-Khalili’s publication, “The House of Wisdom: How Arabic Science Saved Ancient Knowledge and Gave Us the Renaissance,” highlighting inaccuracies and proposing more trustworthy sources for investigating the evolution of Islamic or Arabic science. The writer questions Al-Khalili’s assertion regarding the historical reality of the House of […]
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Some time ago, I wrote about [the engraver and instrument craftsman Augustine Ryther (fl. 1576–1593)](https://thonyc.wordpress.com/2025/02/26/an-engraver-and-instrument-maker-who-founded-a-dynasty/), who initiated a lineage of instrument makers within the Worshipful Company of Grocers. Recently, I discussed [the sailor and maritime atlas creator Sir Robert Dudley (1574–1649)](https://thonyc.wordpress.com/2025/07/23/the-english-aristocratic-bastard-who-advised-the-florentines-on-matters-nautical-and-published-the-first-maritime-atlas-by-an-english-author/), who, after years of service to the Republic of Florence as a naval consultant, […]
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**The Contributions of Blaise Pascal to Hydrostatics and the Debate Around the Vacuum** Blaise Pascal, a pivotal personality in the fields of mathematics, physics, and philosophy, achieved considerable advancements in hydrostatics. His endeavors went beyond mere theoretical contributions as he engaged in experimental methods to address prevailing discussions within the scientific circles of the 17th […]
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Our senses serve as the means through which our brains comprehend the environment around us. It is often taught that humans possess five senses — vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. We also learn that various animals possess similar senses, albeit in different capacities. For instance, while humans can perceive red, green, and blue wavelengths, […]
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Welcome back to the monthly newsletter from STEM from Scratch! It’s been some time since our last interaction. In case you missed it, STEM from Scratch is a non-profit entity that has recently been revitalized. The new leadership is now in the hands of high school students in Ontario who are enthusiastic about STEM and […]
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**STEM from Scratch Showcases Thrilling Opportunities for January** **1. I-STEM Program** – Offered at Aldershot High School (Burlington), T.A. Blakelock High School (Oakville), and Elsie Macgill Secondary School (Milton). – A 4-year curriculum from Grade 9-12; application necessary in Grade 8 through a random selection method. – Concentrates on engineering, design, and leadership with a […]
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