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  • Free To Think

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Caroline I Crocker
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Free To Think Perfect Paperback – January 1, 2010

by Caroline I Crocker (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars (11)
This is the true story of Dr. Caroline Crocker's experience as a term science professor (assigned for three years) at George Mason University. It addresses her teaching techniques, methodology, and the discrimination that she encountered, while providing a delightful account of her experience with students. The book concludes with an account of how Dr. Crocker became a movie star (kind of). 
Please note that, while Dr. Crocker's views on evolutions have somewhat changed, the scientific and and biographical facts reported in this book are accurate. A detailed appendix provides copies of original documents that should satisfy the curiosity of any reader.
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  1. Print length
    330 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Leafcutter Press
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2010
  5. Dimensions
    9.02 x 0.71 x 5.98 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0981873448
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0981873442
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The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

From the Author

When I wrote "Free to Think", I was firmly convinced that I was the victim of a conspiracy. Perhaps I was--certainly the evidence is strong. But, with the benefit of hindsight, I am wondering if that perception was inaccurate. Could it be that the reason for my contract "ending" was due to nothing more interesting than nepotism or the incompetence of some of those who had power in the situation?
With regard to my views on evolution, those have 'evolved'. I now would not claim that there is "no evidence for evolution". On the other hand, I still would not say, "I believe in evolution," since that sounds like a religious statement, disturbingly similar to, "I believe in God." My views are on evolution rather more nuanced. I admit that there is strong evidence that species change over time; there is intriguing evidence that similar species are genetically related. I am fascinated by the fact that mitochondria and chloroplasts are so similar to bacteria. But, I remain perplexed about the mechanism whereby all this happened. Mutation does not seem a plausible and complete answer. No doubt, there are holes in the theory. So, the research continues. That is the nature of science.
The result of my ruminations is that I am very aware that "Free to Think" needs extensive revision, although I am not sure when I will get around to tackling that rather mammoth task. Meanwhile, I am glad that it is currently out-of-print. If you really want a copy, contact me through ramblingruminations.com and I will send you one for the cost of postage. Now, there's a deal!

About the Author

 
Caroline Crocker is currently a full-time author. In the past decade, she has also worked as an associate biology professor, the CEO for a start-up company patenting and licensing revolutionary technologies that has now expanded into several companies, the Director of Communications for an international ministry organization, and the founder and president of a nonprofit organization with the mission of increasing scientific understanding and integrity. 

Just before the original publication of this book, Dr. Crocker taught various biology courses for five years at George Mason University (GMU) and Northern Virginia Community College. While at GMU, she won three grants, including one from the Center for Teaching Excellence, received commendations for high student ratings and wrote a cell biology workbook. Dr. Crocker did post-doctoral studies at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD. 

With regard to her education, Dr. Crocker was awarded a doctorate in immunopharmacology (The Modulation of Phosphodiesterase Activity in Human T-Lymphocytes) from Southampton University, U.K., a masters from Birmingham University, a bachelors from Warwick University, and an associate degree. from Des Moines Area Community College, having graduated from high school at the age of 16. Dr. Crocker now lives with her husband in Virginia. They have four adult children (two married) and eight grandchildren.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Leafcutter Press
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 1, 2010
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 330 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0981873448
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0981873442
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.02 x 0.71 x 5.98 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #10,887,835 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars (11)

About the author

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Caroline I Crocker

Caroline I Crocker

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I’m an immigrant born to an immigrant and on for generations. That wanderlust rubbed off. My parents are Dutch, but I’ve lived in Canada, Iowa, England, California, Texas and Virginia. To keep it interesting, my British husband and I adopted a Bulgarian!

My career has been equally varied. I trained as a scientist: microbiology and immunology. Then I worked in medical research before teaching cell biology, microbiology, and more at a couple of colleges in VA. After a brief stint as a movie star (seriously!), I founded a nonprofit and learned about websites, newsletters, blogs, and speaking. That wasn’t enough of learning new things, so I started a company and took on the dubious pleasures of negotiating with lawyers, writing patents, and finding investors.

And now? I'm doing what I love. Enjoying my eight grandchildren, gardening, and writing books. Adult books, big kid books, little kid books, and even a book on doing microbiology in your kitchen. Nonfiction written like fiction.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
11 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

  • The Professor
    5.0 out of 5 stars Free to Think???
    Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2010
    Format: Perfect PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Dr. Crocker first documents what she taught, how and when. She also goes into to some detail about her PhD work on phosphodiesterase. Then she details an excellent response to her critics, putting to rest some of the unscrupulous claims surrounding her unjust termination from George Mason University. Her critics have often claimed that Dr. Crocker's termination followed policy but Dr. Crocker documents that the situation was downright unethical. Dr. Crocker, who was featured in the movie Expelled, was an adjunct professor and signed a 3-year contract, a claim that others have verified. Dr. Crocker then became the victim of a bait-and-switch scheme in which her original signed contract was changed unbeknown to her to a one-year term shortly after being accused of teaching creationism (what they meant by creationism was never defined) in her science classes - a charge she steadfastly denies and no evidence exists to support. One of her former students has documented that a student Dr. Crocker caught cheating retaliated against her by making false accusations that culminated in the loss of her position as a professor. The appeals process, as documented by Dr. Crocker, rubber stamped the administration's documented false allegations and also denied her George Mason's own academic freedom policy. Readers are provided with complete documentation by photocopies of what happened as well as her response to the bogus findings of her grievance committee (all fully documented in Appendix IV). The main problem was Dr. Crocker challenged her students to think outside the box and come to their own conclusions based on the evidence, not just to parrot the usual consensus science views. This cost her her career. Dr. Crocker relates exactly how and what she taught so readers can decide if her approach was reasonable. Most readers will agree that she did nothing to warrant the treatment she received. The broader issue posed by Dr. Crocker is how far should society go in limiting the academic freedom allowed to educators who desire to stimulate the thinking of their students. And likewise, how much freedom should be given to students to question the current science consensus. Dr. Crocker's story reveals a very disturbing intolerance among university officials. Unfortunately, the policy against raising doubts about Darwinism at George Mason is all too common in academic institutions across America today as the book Slaughter of the Dissidents (available on Amazon ) documents. Even more alarming is what occurred afterward when she sought legal redress. According to both Crocker and her attorney Ed Sisson, who wrote a preface for this book, the law firm representing her was being considered by George Mason on another unrelated matter with one stipulation - they must first agree to drop Crocker as a client. The law firm agreed to do so, and soon after expelled Sisson from the firm after a successful 14-year career at Arnold & Porter law firm. Much more could be said about the academic freedom issue, but a goal of this book is merely to introduce the problem.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • John Calvert
    5.0 out of 5 stars A book all patrons of science needs to read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2010
    Format: Perfect PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Free to Think is a book everyone interested in science and freedom should read.

    Science is the one enterprise that we should be able to trust.

    It is an enterprise that holds itself out for its supposed open-mindedness and objectivity.

    One is reminded of Sgt. Friday, the detective who's only interested in getting "just the facts, Ma'am."

    We are told that all scientific explanations are developed using rigorous empirical tests based on data that is intersubjectively accessible to all. If one wants reliable explanations go to science.

    Then we read Caroline Crocker's riveting story. The first thought that comes to mind is Galileo.

    Galileo was a scientist who was excommunicated because he brought to light data, which contradicted a particular religious preconception of the universe. In response Francis Bacon wrote an essay in 1620 which urged the removal of biases and preconceptions from science so that it could seek knowledge with an open mind. His essay was the foundation for the scientific method and caused the eventual removal of theistic preconceptions from science.

    Unfortunately, the removal of the theistic preconception has caused science to embrace a non-theistic one. The preconception is called methodological naturalism or scientific materialism. Its irrefutable dogma promotes a different kind of religion called Religious/"Secular" Humanism. It is the religion of Atheists, Freethinkers, Agnostics and a variety of other materialistic religious belief systems. It has moved science from an open-minded search for truth to an enterprise that promotes an Atheistic worldview.

    So, like Galileo, Dr. Crocker, a brilliant and gifted microbiologist, was excommunicated for opening her mind to data inconsistent with the religious preconception that now infects the fabric of science.

    It robs science of the objectivity it needs to enjoy the trust of its patrons.

    Hopefully others will read about Dr. Crocker and be moved to do what Francis Bacon did. Seek to banish from science a preconception, which closes its mind as it addresses the ultimate questions of life.

    John Calvert, J.D., author of Kitzmiller's Error: Using an Exclusive rather than Inclusive Definition of Religion; Liberty University Law Review, Vol 3, No. 2, pp 213-328 (Spr 2009). [...]
    20 people found this helpful
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  • Norbert Massie
    5.0 out of 5 stars A brave women
    Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2010
    Format: Perfect PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Let this be a lesion to all those who wish to dissent from the intolerant views of the academy; no descent allowed, you will be punished. The recent firing of a prominent journalist from NPR is yet another example of "political correctness" gone wild.

    It is important that each of us, even if supporters of evolution, allow a reasoned debate. Darwinism itself is under assault from within the community. The new synthesis is coming apart under the weight of overwhelming evidence.

    In terms of courage, think of Anthony Flew, the famed atheist who wrote a book "This is a God." Well, not the God of Christianity but at least some kind of entity.

    Even if I do not agree with Dr. Crocker in every way, there should be a lot of admiration for a lady that stood up and said openly that there are legitimate challenges to evolution.
    9 people found this helpful
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