GSQ Seminar

Introduction
Here is a short resume by the author.

As happens to some people, I was born. I grew up near Boston, Mass., went to college and graduated in 1963 with a BS (Philosophy). Along with the degree, I got married and later became a father. A few years later than that, like most men, I became an ex-husband.

I continued to study Philosophy at UC, Berkeley, and then San Francisco State during the 1960s. I also pursued biochemistry at San Francisco State until 1975. When I wasn't studying, I did social work in San Francisco Bay Area counties from 1964-1972. After that, I worked as a research lab technician at UC, San Francisco, until 1979. I wandered about in 1979-80, working in Reno, Nevada, and Los Angeles. I eventually settled in Davis, California (by accident), where I did some computer programming for UC, Davis.

In 1984, I went into business as “Yolo Expert Software.” I grandiosely changed the company name to “California Expert Software®” (CES) in 1988, a business name I still use. Until 2002, I installed computer systems and software, including custom software that I designed, developed and maintained. Then, as happens to people, I retired.

I supported the Free Speech Movement, which happened while I was in Berkeley. In 1965, I became active in the anti-war movement, eventually becoming a second-rank leader in the Vietnam Day Committee. I was active in the Berkeley Community for a New Politics, and the steering committee of Robert Scheer for Congress (1966). I became active in the workplace, helping to organize the independent Social Service Employees Union, from 1967-1972. After 1972, I stayed out of politics until the middle1980s. I returned to the subject at that time only as a promiscuous letter writer to elected representatives. Now I am a registered “declines to state,” because “none of the above” is the only political party that seems to represent me.

Since 2002, I have been running a website or two, including this one, where I am the persistent blogger, WalterB. I characterize my political views as “New Left,” or “democratic socialist, or whatever. You may characterize them as anything you like.

Since childhood, I have always been interested in science, and consider myself a (junior?) scientist. I am primarily interested in the Philosophy of Science. Related to that is my interest in the Philosophy of History, Cosmology, Evolution and Biology. Along the way, I also have a minimal ability to cope with the Philosophy of Mathematics (“foundations”). I am a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

In my old age, what is most important turns out to be a few friends, some books, and a lot of questions, as well as keeping the doctors and bill collectors at bay. I plan to continue pondering and writing. I hope my efforts reach a few people.

About the Author