Selected Writings
I enjoy thinking and writing, particularly about subjects related to health, philosophy, and liberty. Since starting a LiveJournal in 2001 I have written thousands of pages of blog entries, comments, and essays. This page is a list of my published work and some of my better unpublished pieces. Please note that I no longer agree with all of the content or arguments of my earlier work (much of which was written during the height of my Objectivism); disagreements are indicated below. Still, I believe it is valuable to have a complete catalog of work to chart growth and progress.
- Science articles
- Philosophy articles
- Assignments developed for teaching
- Op-eds
- Letters to the editor
- Interviews
- Early anti-state writings
I have a strong distaste for reductionist science and the passive writing style customary in the “scientific community.” However, my M.S. research was enjoyable, and I continue to hold some small interest in neuroscience. For these reasons I include the following examples of passively written reductionist research ;-)
Mapping the Anthocyaninless (anl) Locus in Rapid-Cycling Brassica rapa to Linkage Group R9
Co-authored with graduate mentor Doug Wendell
BMC Genetics: Volume 8, Number 64. September 25th, 2007
A Microsatellite-Based Linkage Map of the Anthocyaninless (anl) Locus in Rapid-Cycling Brassica Rapa
M.S. thesis. April, 2007
The Serotonin System in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Advanced Topics in Cell Physiology graduate research paper. September, 2006
Necdin Deficiency Contributes to the Neurodevelopment of Human Prader-Willi Syndrome (coming eventually)
Advanced Developmental Biology graduate research paper. November, 2005
The effects of fluoxetine on gene expression: two models for the antidepressant mechanism and a novel use in cancer therapy. A review.
Metavue: April, 2005
Comparison of Human and Chimpanzee Synapsin III gDNA, mRNA, and Protein: A Bioinformatics Investigation (coming eventually)
Human Molecular Genetics undergraduate research paper, co-authored. February, 2005
Objectivist Resistance to Anarchy: A Problem of Concept-Formation?
Objectivist resistance to anarchy stems from an epistemological error and false definition
Strike-the-Root: May 20th, 2009
Systems Biology assignment
This was one of my favorite assignments I developed when I taught high school science because it forced students to incorporate what they learned in class with a methodology not taught in conventional textbooks: systems biology. The assignment required students to think and write coherently while encouraging them to critically evaluate both religious doctrine and scientism.
January, 2008
Affirmative Action: The New Racism
Affirmative action is collectivist and racist
Note: I agree with the main arguments but no longer encourage voting.
The Oakland Post: Volume 3, Number 4. September 20th, 2006.
State of Emergency
The victims’ failure to function in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is a result of the welfare state
Note: Beware of the detestable, angry Randianism.
Unpublished. October, 2005
Not all altruism
Tuition deregulation protestors are leeches
The University of Western Ontario Gazette: Volume 95, Issue 81. March 7th, 2002.
International equality (coming soon)
Do not punish students for coming from wealthy countries
The University of Western Ontario Gazette: Volume 96, Issue 27. October 17th, 2002.
America the beautiful
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are no humble matters
Note: I no longer believe that Americans should be proud of our government.
The University of Western Ontario Gazette: Volume 97, Issue 69. February 4th, 2004.
Registering With the Voters: Presidential candidate Ron Paul may be little known on the national scene, but in Hillsdale County he is gaining ground
During the Ron Paul campaign I was one of a small group of people contacted by the Hillsdale city newspaper for an interview. Thank you to Jeff King for the article scan.
Note: I no longer encourage voting.
Hillsdale Daily News: December 15th, 2007.
Taken down.
May return eventually.