The Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh
One last post to wrap up our travels up north a few weeks ago. This one is all about Mr. Big Food in his world.
As I mentioned, he’d been invited to give the annual lecture at the Center for Philosophy of Science. First day he met with the fellows and they discussed some of his recent work.
Seated next to John was our host, Edouard. Fine French fellow. Cute story. Several years ago Edouard was at the Farm and we had a gathering. His wife is Russian and they have a daughter. Several of the younger guests asked him if they were raising their little girl in the French or Russian traditions and such. His response? We’re raising her as an American, of course.
The second photo where Mr. Big Food is holding up a page with a mouse on it is interesting. Guess what Illustrator of Miss Missy’s School draw the mouse with its synapses, neurons, pathways, and such? That’s right! Daughter C!
More meetings and the lecture the next day.
The Provost came to the lecture! Was she interested in heterodox science? No. Edouard told us she’s interested in free speech. Go figure. The windows of the Cathedral are really something. A few years ago they re-did the two floors occupied by The Center and the department. The center is pretty modern. Tasteful but modern. In the department space they left more of the traditional, old features. Very cathedral-like. And then Edouard delivered the introduction. Very nice.
After the talk, discussion, and reception they took us to dinner at a swanky place. The beef tartar was out of this world. Enjoyable conversations. Someone asked me if I was a Professor of English Literature. Hahahaha. No. Just a country mouse!
And that’s it! We came home and despite pounding OJ and EmergentC the entire trip promptly suffered from colds, sinus infections, and just plain crumminess.
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