I've been wanting to post the linked essay for a year but thought it was a bit out of line to do so. It is an admissions essay for Amherst College. I have permission from the author to link. Guess if the writer was accepted.
This is not completely off topic because it applied to earthquake prediction, climate change, etc: you can believe what you want to be true, you can be self-deluded, money can influence, who you believe can influence (your politician vs your scientist.
Enjoy
Chris

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