Dear concerned human,

Michael Shermer, publisher of http://www.skeptic.com and author of The Science of Good and Evil, predicts that there is a probability of 67 percent that God exists. "Naked faith is what religious enterprise was always about, until science became the preeminent system of natural verisimilitude,"  he says, "tempting the faithful to employ its wares in the practice of preternatural belief." 

A certain Stephen Unwin, in The Probability of God, determines the probability, beginning with a 50-50 maximum ignorance standard, then factors in goodness, evil, intranatural miracles (prayers) and extranatural miracles (resurrection).

Shermer reminds us that it is faith's inescapable weakness, and it's greatest power, that it depends on emotional factors separate from logic. Perhaps it is not religion being the cause of this suffering, but rather man's attempts to fit religion into a logical system of thought. And not to allow beliefs to be personal.  

Uncle Ezra   

Dear sunny,

Briefly, the sundial is part of a cylindrical mirror and it needs to be shiny!  You can visit Professor Emeritus Richard Phelan in his office to raise your questions about the sundial.  He says to tell you that "Although retired, I still have an office, 254 Upson Hall, and am normally here Monday through Friday from (approximately) 9:30 to 11:30.  Visitors are always welcome."
 

Uncle Ezra   

Dear cCg,

Two syllables, with the accent on the first.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear RM,

We're working on it.  The Educational Policy Committee in the Faculty Senate would like to find a solution to make Labor Day a holiday for all at Cornell.  Unfortunately, the problem is rather complex to untangle and they have not yet found a solution.  Classes meet for 14-full weeks, the minimum number of days required as part of our accreditation.  Therefore, if Cornell were to grant Labor Day off, it would need to be made up somewhere in the calendar.  The problem is further complicated because what we need is another "Monday" not just another day of classes.  There are many Monday-only classes so an alternative meeting time would need to be found for them.  In addition, the large science courses (such as Bio 101) have so many labs that they already meet every day of the week, and there isn't enough lab space to just double up the Monday labs on Tuesday, for example.  Some of the possible solutions they've suggested are considered undesirable or pose other problems, such as adding a day at the end of the semester, adding more Saturday classes, shortening Fall Break, etc.  So we're working on it, but it's a rather messy problem to solve.  Thanks for your patience.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear looking,

You can look for Sphinx Head in the archives, and that is all I can spill.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Cornellian,

There should be a bipolar support group in a town near you.  In Ithaca, the Mental Health Association keeps a list of all support groups. There are also online groups. Some therapists run groups for specific problems, or you may find a generic mental health support group that would help.

You are courageous for "outing" yourself, as the stigma of mental illness is still very much present out in the world.  I'm not sure what you are interpreting as being shunned. You would have to explain what you said and what response you got to further understand the online experience.

The Americans with Disabilities Act should protect you in the workplace to receive accommodations for your illness. Talk with someone from Human Resources about that protection.

I hope you find kind souls and compassionate persons along your path. 

Uncle Ezra   

Dear wife,

I hope your husband can get the help he needs for this self-injurious behavior.  He may have an anxiety disorder that can be easily treated with medication and therapy to help manage the biting.  He can use stress-management techniques - from yoga, meditation or deep breathing to walking and other exercise. He will need to replace the biting with a more appropriate behavior, say squeezing a stress ball, chewing gum, or blowing through a straw. 

He will also need to look at the source of his anxiety.  Does he know how to manage his anger, interpersonal issues and deeper historical issues? Communication skills training may also help him express his feelings and not let them build up inside.

I encourage your husband to go to a therapist who can get him on the road to good mental and physical health.  Hasn't his doctor treated these wounds and suggested counseling and behavioral therapy for him?  There are several online support and Q&A groups that you may find helpful. Good luck with helping him and helping yourself manage your concerns while he makes his own choices.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Mason,

Thanks for the additional information.  Social groups are important for networking as well as for emotional and physical health, as they provide stress-relief from the all too hurried and transient connections we run through day-to-day.  I hope you can continue to meet.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Discovering,

Many students attend a community college (at less expense) or another college of their choice, demonstrate their ability to succeed in their field, and apply to Cornell to finish out their last two or three years with that coveted Cornell diploma. This path often allows students to reach the necessary maturity to allow them to focus and pursue their educational goal with the necessary devotion.  I hope you find a path that works well for you.

Uncle Ezra   

Uncle Ezra   

Dear mom,

Your physician would be the best one to observe and diagnose your son's problems. Has he followed the doctor's orders correctly?  Perhaps you can call back with the question of how long you should expect to wait for things to clear up. If you're not sure about the diagnosis, you may want to consider a second opinion.  I hope things get better soon.  

Uncle Ezra   

Dear student,

You are wise in seeking early intervention to help you organize your approach to learning.  For a physics course, please contact Robert Lieberman at rhl10, part of the Learning Strategies Center team. Also, the following web page may be of help:
http://www.clt.cornell.edu/campus/learn/learn.html.  I hope you get the help you need.

Uncle Ezra