Why I Stand

Why science cannot stand alone.

In an era in which certain arenas of scientific research have become increasingly controversial, this article critically evaluates what it means to "believe in science." Many scientists today seem to claim a sovereign right to no political interference under the rubric of freedom. This article questions such a notion, and explores the dominance of science and the silencing of moral voices by un...

Why Do I Smoke and Why Do I Keep Smoking?

Shortly after smoking their last cigarette, smokers start to feel a negative mood change. This “withdrawal” from the chemical nicotine makes the smoker uncomfortable. Many smokers report feeling anxious, irritable and restless when they stop smoking. This is because they are not getting what the brain feels it needs to work well. Smokers usually experience relief from these unpleasant feelings ...

Why I Believe

When I came to UCSD, a professor asked me how I could be a professing intellectual and still be a Christian. The topic came up a few weeks back as well. So I thought I would collect my thoughts about reasons that I personally find helpful when considering whether Christianity makes sense. Note that I do not accept the definition that faith is "belief without reason". Instead I prefer the defini...

Why I write.

Why I Lost My Secretary:

Over the past two decades, endowments have become an increasingly important component of the typical university’s resource base. We examine how U.S. doctoral institutions’ endowment payout policies and spending decisions are affected by financial market shocks to endowments. While most endowments have formal payout policies intended to smooth payouts over time, we find that universities are mor...