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"The theory that human activity is causing global warming is accepted by the overwhelming majority of the world's climate scientists, but conservatives combat the claim, with all its implications of the imperative need for greater restrictions on the burning of fossil fuels, by stressing the views of a tiny dissenting minority."
-- Daniel J. Kevles, the Stanley Woodward Professor of History and adjunct professor of law, in his review of Chris Mooney's book "The Republican War on Science," "Ideological Assaults," American Scientist, Feb. 7, 2006.
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"While [poet Rubén Darío] and other Latin Americans applauded the liberation of Cuba, Puerto Rico and other colonies from the crumbling Spanish empire, they became keenly concerned about the emergence of the United States as a new imperial power. The United States had not only crushed the Spanish army but also, by casting aside the Cuban liberation army, stunted the island's potential political growth and freedom. To Darío and the Modernistas, the Spanish world seemed helpless in the face of American expansionism, not only in politics but, even more important, in culture."
-- Roberto González Echevarría, Sterling Professor of Hispanic and Comparative Literature, in his article "The Master of Modernismo," The Nation, Feb. 13, 2006.
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''I am perfectly able to understand why a good-spirited person might think it was worthwhile to help a needy family heat its house. But I insist on also seeing [Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez's offer to supply oil to low-income families] as putting a stick in the president's eye.''
-- Douglas W. Rae, the Richard S. Ely Professor of Organization and Management, "Politics or Not, Fuel-Cost Relief Is Near," The New York Times, Feb. 12, 2006.
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"These studies [on whether people are biased against the obese] don't pick up on implicit, unconscious bias. It's like if you asked people around the country if they had racial bias. There's a difference between what people say and what actually happens."
-- Kelly Brownell, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, professor of psychology, chair of the Department of Psychology and professor of epidemiology and public health, "Fat Not So Unattractive; Being Over Weight Not So Socially Unappealing As It Used To Be," Joplin Globe (MO), Feb. 9, 2006.
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"We know that blind evaluations work from our own experience. The late economist James Tobin convinced Yale to adopt this approach for evaluating professors. When Yale wants to hire a senior professor from a different university, we ask outside reviewers to rank a list of ten famous professors in the field. It may well be the case that some of the names are not interested in the job. But the reviewers don't know who is a live candidate and who isn't. It's hard to play favorites when the reviewer doesn't know who you are looking at."
-- Ian Ayres, the William K. Townsend Professor of Law, and Barry Nalebuff, the Milton Steinbach Professor of Management, suggesting a similar method be used when firms hire compensation consultants, in their article "When the Blind See Better," Forbes, Feb. 13, 2006.
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"I am a professional economist. Economists can make a lot of predictions about what would happen in the future, but all the predictions are based on theoretical model and assumptions of human behavior. History told you what exactly happened in real situations. To me history deals with all of our past collective experience with whatever questions we are wrestling with today. By learning history, government decision makers could understand better how their public policy may or may not influence people's behavior in similar situations."
-- Richard C. Levin, University President, on why he believes that students who want to become political leaders learn history, "'If Qualified for Admission, Money's Not a Problem,' Yale President," People's Daily Online (Beijing, China), Feb. 12, 2006.
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"When Muslims put the prophet on a pedestal, we're engaging in idolatry of our own. The point of monotheism is to worship one God, not one of God's emissaries. Which is why humility requires people of faith to mock themselves -- and each other -- every once in a while."
-- Irshad Manji, visiting fellow at International Security Studies, in his article "Lighten Up, My Fellow Muslims," Taranaki Daily News (New Zealand),
Feb. 9, 2006.
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"I would definitely recommend a summer stint in India [for business school students] to get their feet wet if they have aspirations to work in that part of the world. Also, these days marketing decisions require a global mindset and the best way to develop this is by emerging themselves in that culture."
-- Ravi Dhar, the George Rogers Clark Professor of Marketing and Management, "Foreign MBAs Find India Hot," The Economic Times (India), Feb. 13, 2006.
T H I S
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
University divests from its holdings in Sudan . . .
New degree program promotes 'green' architecture
Changing the world -- one spring break at a time
University Library launching 'Iraq ReCollection' project
Yale and the 2006 Winter GramesUnited Way honors Yale for goal-topping campaign
Elimelech elected to NAE in honor of work on water-quality control
Endowment will usher in 'new era' for Yale women's ice hockey
Partnership to increase India's environmental resources
Ozone causes premature death even at low levels, study finds
Columnist decries lack of response to genocide in Darfur
Donated books a 'reminder' of once-blacklisted Yale neuroscientist
Slifka Center hosting Jewish Alumni Weekend
More on the Grammys ...
Campus Notes
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