Nigel Henbest is an award-winning writer and TV producer, specialising in science and space. A founder of the leading independent television production company Pioneer Productions, his major television credits include the series Body Atlas, Universe, Edge of the Universe and The Day the Earth was Born; and the documentaries On Jupiter, Black Holes, Challenger and - most recently - Journey to the Edge of the Universe. These productions have garnered seven international awards, including Banff and the New York Festivals’ Grand Award.
As well as his work in television, Nigel has written 35 books and over 1000 articles, which have been translated into 27 languages. He is a columnist for The Independent newspaper and BBC Focus magazine. Asteroid 3795 is named “Nigel” in his honour; and he is enrolled to travel into space with Virgin Galactic in 2011.
It’s taken me some time to come round to answering this question; not because it’s difficult, but because it is too easy. After all: Why is music important? Why is breathing important?
Trying to understand the world around is, I believe, hard-wired into human nature. And “science” is just that process of understanding. Yes, you can interpret nature in terms of gods and demons. But, sooner or later, you are likely to move on. The mind is finely tuned to pick out patterns in the world around us; and once you have the leisure - as the Greek middle classes did in the first few centuries BC - you begin to see how the world is set out on rational principles.
And that rationalism is based deep inside us. When non-scientists profess to me that the scientific method is divorced from everyday life, I like to point out what I learned when acting as the foreman on a jury at the Old Bailey. What struck me then was weighing up the evidence in a law-court is, basically, the same as doing science. It’s looking for a pattern in pieces of evidence that may be, superficially, contradictory; and finding a conclusion that meshes all the lines of evidence together.
For those who find science intimidatingly complex, I’d suggest following a case of serious fraud, where juries are often flummoxed by the devious nature of the evidence and the finer points of criminal law. I think the case for the Earth orbiting the Sun, the atomic nature of matter or the evolution of life on Earth is actually easier to understand. And, to the human mind, it’s a fitting verdict on the evidence.
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Yes! I really believe that science is actually the process of understanding. I also believe that there is a missing link between science and theology. And it is just a matter of real and heartfelt understanding that God who created everything from the beginning is at the back of all of this. God is the missing link, for you to really understand its connection.
Agent denies Bayern Munich website link regarding Traditional western Brom protective participant Tamas
West Bromwich Albion protective participant Gabriel Tamas might be associated with Bayern Munich.
The Romanian have been associated with the actual pretty powered £3. 5million go to Bayern Munich.
Those claims are actually refuted, while using player’s agent which makes it required that Tamas desires to remain through Albion in addition to fight regarding their own area.
“Gabriel sanctioned a fresh provide recently in addition to she or he desires to stay in addition to display themselves to be able to Roy Hodgson, which has not necessarily noticed a lot related to her or him, �? mentioned the particular player’s advisor.
“He desires to carry out Top Class football.
He’s due to main Romania inside their long term globally in addition to she or he sights their own long-term to become through Traditional western Bromwich Albion. �? /p>
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Man Utd company Ferguson wishes provide regarding Leasing home _ style Vibrant close
Manchester Ough. utes. company Mister Alex Ferguson remains certain closing the actual provide regarding Aston Leasing home winger Ashley Vibrant.
The Manchester Evening News says Ough. utes. have been in the very best in the collection for your 25-year-old and so are close to shutting the actual £15m provide.
But they are mindful their own match-saving efficiency in the direction of European countries inside the Dinar 2012 qualifier through Wembley on Weekend will simply boost the attention inside her or him within the Top League’s greatest dance clubs. Gatwick may also be inside the look for Vibrant, although Chelsea have closely watched her or him for your prior two several weeks.
But Ferguson believes he is inside the pot seat for just about any participator she or he tried to be able to sign through the Jan proceed eye-port.
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