Derek Lowe, an Arkansan by birth, got his BA from Hendrix College and his PhD in organic chemistry from Duke before spending time in Germany on a Humboldt Fellowship on his post-doc. He's worked for several major pharmaceutical companies since 1989 on drug discovery projects against schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, diabetes, osteoporosis and other diseases.
To contact Derek email him directly: derekb.lowe@gmail.com
Twitter: Dereklowe
I don't feel bad about his death for one second. He was a dangerous creature that needed to be destroyed, but hate and fear did not die with him and we shouldn't go patting ourselves on the back just because we cut the ugliest head off the hydra.
Sponsored Link: University of Phoenix. Learn how to become martyr in six months. Become a global jihad leader and earn an associate degree with online course on how to become a martyr.
It might be substantive if OBL was a singular leader, manager of logistics, or an inventive terrorism mind. It might also matter if it renews people resolve to rid the world of his ilk (though how hasn't been a matter of agreement). It may not matter much otherwise at all.
But he's gone, and maybe that will save other people in the end. I don't feel much diminished by his forcible removal from the mass of humanity he soiled with blood.
SM: I don't think UA can offer that course, unless Iran or Saudi Arabia is willing to fund the student loan program. The return on the loans is likely to be...poor.
It might be substantive if OBL was a singular leader, manager of logistics, or an inventive terrorism mind. It might also matter if it renews people resolve to rid the world of his ilk (though how hasn't been a matter of agreement). It may not matter much otherwise at all.
But he's gone, and maybe that will save other people in the end. I don't feel much diminished by his forcible removal from the mass of humanity he soiled with blood.
SM: I don't think UA can offer that course, unless Iran or Saudi Arabia is willing to fund the student loan program. The return on the loans is likely to be...poor.
Not particularly upset about having well-fed sharks in the Indian ocean, but I think having the bugger sweating out all he knows under effective interrogation (i.e. not torture)would be even more satisfying. But then again who knows?
Imagine building a structure such that OBL was found in near Ft. Bragg. Would no one there have investigated? The army units nearby (apparently 3 of them) had to know.
But what about the other great news? China's inflation out of control, yuan appreciating. Outsourcing to China is getting less cheap by the day. Result!
I think George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman answered Donne best, saying in effect: They tell me that killing a man diminishes me, but it diminishes him a whole lot more. (If the Flashman books had been set in the 21st century rather than the 19th, Flashman would have surely met Osama bin Laden, and quite probably seduced at least one of his wives.)
Following from my comment, I can't understood why scientists such as ourselves aren't being more circumspect when news like this is presented. It seems that our critical faculties have gone into shut down mode.
Anyway, I'd invite you to reflect on the idea of hyperreality.
1. Anonymous on May 2, 2011 6:59 AM writes...
Although this clod *was* washed away by the sea.
Permalink to Comment2. Anonymous on May 2, 2011 7:40 AM writes...
that's because you're not John Donne
Permalink to Comment3. Nick K on May 2, 2011 7:59 AM writes...
OBL is now fishfood. An appropriate end, I feel.
Permalink to Comment4. emjeff on May 2, 2011 8:21 AM writes...
Well put, Derek!
Permalink to Comment5. Rick on May 2, 2011 8:24 AM writes...
Hard to argue with that, man.
Permalink to Comment6. Anonymous on May 2, 2011 8:43 AM writes...
I don't feel bad about his death for one second. He was a dangerous creature that needed to be destroyed, but hate and fear did not die with him and we shouldn't go patting ourselves on the back just because we cut the ugliest head off the hydra.
Permalink to Comment7. milkshaken on May 2, 2011 9:38 AM writes...
Sponsored Link: University of Phoenix. Learn how to become martyr in six months. Become a global jihad leader and earn an associate degree with online course on how to become a martyr.
Permalink to Comment8. Hap on May 2, 2011 10:08 AM writes...
It might be substantive if OBL was a singular leader, manager of logistics, or an inventive terrorism mind. It might also matter if it renews people resolve to rid the world of his ilk (though how hasn't been a matter of agreement). It may not matter much otherwise at all.
But he's gone, and maybe that will save other people in the end. I don't feel much diminished by his forcible removal from the mass of humanity he soiled with blood.
SM: I don't think UA can offer that course, unless Iran or Saudi Arabia is willing to fund the student loan program. The return on the loans is likely to be...poor.
Permalink to Comment9. Hap on May 2, 2011 10:10 AM writes...
It might be substantive if OBL was a singular leader, manager of logistics, or an inventive terrorism mind. It might also matter if it renews people resolve to rid the world of his ilk (though how hasn't been a matter of agreement). It may not matter much otherwise at all.
But he's gone, and maybe that will save other people in the end. I don't feel much diminished by his forcible removal from the mass of humanity he soiled with blood.
SM: I don't think UA can offer that course, unless Iran or Saudi Arabia is willing to fund the student loan program. The return on the loans is likely to be...poor.
Permalink to Comment10. gyges on May 2, 2011 10:12 AM writes...
More appropriate to quote Bacon,
""What is truth?" said jesting Pilate; and would not stay for an answer."
Permalink to Comment11. David P on May 2, 2011 10:12 AM writes...
@7: Wouldn't a University of Phoenix martyrdom degree allow you to come back as well?
Permalink to Comment12. Vader on May 2, 2011 11:56 AM writes...
He needed killing, but I take no pleasure in it.
I'll allow myself this much: There are lots of folks I'm going to miss more.
Permalink to Comment13. Rob on May 2, 2011 12:32 PM writes...
Not particularly upset about having well-fed sharks in the Indian ocean, but I think having the bugger sweating out all he knows under effective interrogation (i.e. not torture)would be even more satisfying. But then again who knows?
Permalink to Comment14. startup on May 2, 2011 1:11 PM writes...
Gotta say, I am bit surprised by the name of the place. Abbottabad? If anything I would have expected Pfizerabad.
Permalink to Comment15. Sili on May 2, 2011 1:59 PM writes...
I'll go with (not really) More:
Permalink to Comment"Yes, I give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!"
16. luysii on May 2, 2011 4:16 PM writes...
Imagine building a structure such that OBL was found in near Ft. Bragg. Would no one there have investigated? The army units nearby (apparently 3 of them) had to know.
Permalink to Comment17. Pwildfire on May 2, 2011 6:23 PM writes...
I just regret that the politics of it let the cat out of the bag before we understood the intel the SEALS brought out.
Permalink to Comment18. anonymous on May 2, 2011 9:42 PM writes...
Great news that he's gone.
But what about the other great news? China's inflation out of control, yuan appreciating. Outsourcing to China is getting less cheap by the day. Result!
Permalink to Comment19. Kaleberg on May 7, 2011 10:40 AM writes...
I think George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman answered Donne best, saying in effect: They tell me that killing a man diminishes me, but it diminishes him a whole lot more. (If the Flashman books had been set in the 21st century rather than the 19th, Flashman would have surely met Osama bin Laden, and quite probably seduced at least one of his wives.)
Permalink to Comment20. Curious Wavefunction on May 9, 2011 8:11 AM writes...
Luysii, as Jon Stewart quipped, they probably just thought Jeff Goldblum had grown a beard and was burning trash at his summer retreat.
Permalink to Comment21. gyges on May 12, 2011 10:15 AM writes...
Following from my comment, I can't understood why scientists such as ourselves aren't being more circumspect when news like this is presented. It seems that our critical faculties have gone into shut down mode.
Anyway, I'd invite you to reflect on the idea of hyperreality.
Permalink to Comment