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Old 31-August-2006, 02:59 AM
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greenfeather greenfeather is offline
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Default Ward's book - off topic

Quote:
Originally Posted by AK View Post
Yeah, I'm one of only two grad students in Peter's lab. Gorgon is actually one of his few books (I think he has about 12 now?) I haven't yet read, but he has spent the better part of his career studying the Permian extinction, and it is the basis for a new set of experiments we're doing (I'm a mass extinction guy too).

He is indeed the co-author of Rare Earth although it's interesting you mention David Grinspoon, as I tend to side more with his perspective on the matter. (David's a great guy too, by the way, and he smokes more dope than almost any scientist I can name.)

However, his newest book (which is the one considered in this thread) is more about possibilities and ideas, I guess you could read more optimism into that...
What's the name of that book again?

My comments will be off topic, so this should be a private email, but sorry everyone, I don't know how to write private emails on this forum.

What kind of experiments are you doing about the Permian Extinction? Would they have anything to do with the huge crater they found in Antarctica? I recall that Ward, as well as others, didn't think a comet caused the extinction. Mostly because "no crater was found." Are they eating their words yet? Or at least are they getting samples from the crater?

I loved David Grinspoon's book, and yeah, in between his scientific theories he throws in a lot of references to the 70's, being a stoner, etc. That really helps me to relate !
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