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Photo source: Courtesy of Forrest Mims.
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Can a Successful Scientist Be Self-Taught?

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Evolution
Intelligent Design
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On a new episode of ID the Future, I conclude my conversation with Forrest M. Mims about his new memoir, Maverick Scientist: My Adventures as an Amateur Scientist. Without a college science degree, Mims taught himself the fundamentals of engineering and atmospheric science that fueled an impressive career in science and technology.

In Part 1, Mims discussed his coming of age in the silicon era, including early exploits as a young inventor and experiences as a science writer. In this episode, Mims talks about how he got connected to the intelligent design community after a very public dust-up with America’s oldest magazine, Scientific American. Instead of derailing his career, the Scientific American episode actually opened the door to opportunities in atmospheric science. Mims talks about the time he proved NASA wrong on their measurements and why he still consults for NASA today. He shares details of his research conducted at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii. He explains why his skepticism on Darwinian evolution is a non-issue for practically every scientist he works with. And he’s got some sage advice for young people interested in becoming amateur scientists. Hint: it involves putting your phone away and doing something!

Download the podcast or listen to it here. This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation. Watch or listen to Part 1!

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Andrew McDiarmid

Director of Podcasting and Senior Fellow
Andrew McDiarmid is Director of Podcasting and a Senior Fellow at Discovery Institute. He is also a contributing writer to Mind Matters. He produces ID The Future, a podcast from the Center for Science & Culture that presents the case, research, and implications of intelligent design and explores the debate over evolution. He writes and speaks regularly on the impact of technology on human living. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including the New York Post, Houston Chronicle, The Daily Wire, San Francisco Chronicle, Real Clear Politics, Newsmax, The American Spectator, The Federalist, Technoskeptic Magazine, and elsewhere. In addition to his roles at Discovery Institute, he promotes his homeland as host of the Scottish culture and music podcast Simply Scottish. Andrew holds an MA in Teaching from Seattle Pacific University and a BA in English/Creative Writing from the University of Washington.
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