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Common
Misconceptions about Science
Copyright 1998-2014, Digital Recordings. All Rights Reserved. Last updated December 4, 1999
Common Misconceptions about Science
The laws of science (all fields) are built on axioms, which are basic
assumptions or ªfoundation stonesº. These are not explained and
do not necessarily reflect reality. Science deals with models and
approximations of reality only.
Errors and estimations are inherent to any scientific model. It has to
be this way since we usually neglect the influence of the objects
away from our experiment. Higher accuracy of the model leads to
higher complexity. One has to balance accuracy versus complexity.
We can make predictions for simple systems more easily than for
complex systems. It is very difficult to predict the evolution of a
complex system far into the future. An example of this is the
accurate prediction of weather. In order to update their models,
meteorologists must constantly monitor and update parameters
such as temperature, pressure, humidity, wind, solar radiation, etc.
Some scientists are forming cliques and lobbies which do not allow
certain views and theories to see the daylight. Even if the theories
are correct, these ªscientistsº discredit them and their originators and
prevent them from being published in scientific journals. Is this in
any way different from the Holy Inquisition? One does not have to
burn a person in order to kill his or her spirit.
Scientific discoveries, when not properly used can lead to
destruction of the Planet and Life. Unfortunately in many cases this
is done. Examples are: explosives, atomic energy, combustion
engine, fossil fuels, many chemical compounds , many drugs , some
fishing nets, cellular phones etc.
These discoveries and innovations multiply our destructive and
polluting powers by many orders of magnitude and turn us into
"super predators" with powers far exceeding Tyrannosaurs Rex. For
example a 300 HP car, having 1000 times the power of an average
person (0.3 HP) will produce 1000 times as much CO2 contributing
to green house effect. A big bulldozer operated by one man can
easily cut as many trees as 1000 men. Single nuclear explosion can
destroy in a fraction of a second the results of the work of hundreds
of thousands of men over the period of hundreds of years.
There is considerable asymmetry in the destructive and restoring
power of science and technology. Imagine an attempt to restore a
clear cut forest to its previous condition, resurrect extinct species of
plants or animals, or rebuild a destroyed city. We do not have the
tools, resources and knowledge to do this.
Our current path is a path of destruction. We are not guardians of
Earth and Life but the most savage and ruthless species who ever
lived (example - Every year, "people" kill more than 100,000,000
sharks worldwide. Every year, sharks kill about.......25 people
worldwide.). We have enough brains to develop technology.
However, we do not have enough brains to use it properly and to
protect environment and ecosystem.
Some are but many are not. Education means a good back-ground
in a particular discipline, broad understanding of other disciplines,
independent thinking, high levels of integrity and ethical standards.
Many educational institutions have gone for quantity rather than quality.
Their approach to education is producing many well-schooled
human robots, which are good at just that - schooling.. Scientific
discoveries and vision require a combination of broad background,
creativity and integrity which one can seldom find these days.
Morality and integrity are not a part of the curriculum
at most
universities. Academia is often ridden by politics, jealousy, gossip, back-
stabbing, sabotage, blackmail and plagiarism. Students are exposed
to this to a smaller or larger extent. They continue what they have
learned.
Grant money often has links attached. Research findings often
reflect interests of the funding company rather than scientific truth
(examples - tobacco, cell phone and food industries).
Some do. Many do not. Very often people are "silenced" about
various issues. For example: dangers associated with smoking,
sounds above 85 dB, danger and side-effects of many drugs and
medical "treatments", danger of cellular phones and other wireless
technologies - Canada's and USA standard is 1mW/cm2 while many
"silenced" scientists advocate 1nW/cm2 which is 1,000,000 times
smaller limit, danger of margarine, shortening and other
hydrogenated fats. This list is long and shows that the integrity of our
governments and scientists working at universities and government
agencies leaves a lot to be desired. The situation in private industry
is not much better since it is driven mostly by profit-at-all-costs
(example - Microsoft).
There is also a group of pseudo-scientists and quacks who exploit
the fact that many people distrust "scientists" and government. Many
of them have no formal education, have phony degrees and titles
and often use science jargon to impress the less-educated part of
our population. They are in it for profit and personal gain and are as
dangerous as some "main stream" scientists and educators. Both
groups are very good at brain-washing the populous. One would
hope that government would be the "watchdog" and enforce
scientific standards and basic moral and integrity values. However,
this is also not the case.
This is a very small group of scientists often with formal
backgrounds who work independently, outside of universities,
government agencies and large industry. Some of them despite no
funding and no "free" taxpayers' money are responsible for very
good science and research. They are often the first to tell us about
dangers of new technologies and environmental issues.
Unfortunately the role of the press is frequently negative. The mass
media are often a mouth-pieces of the government, lobby groups, large
industry, etc. Journalists are looking for headlines and their coverage
is often shallow. Many reporters lack the scientific background and
depth of knowledge to depict holistic view of science and the world
around us.
The mass media is largely responsible for confusion and de-
sensitization of the general population about what is right and what
is wrong. This, in turn, leads to misinformation and confusion.
We have the impression that government is the watchdog and
protector of our safety. In Canada the government collects over 50%
in taxes, so one would expect good service and protection.
Unfortunately the government represents the interests of the ruling
clique and large industry more than the interests of the public. It is
a mixture of corruption and stupidity. The final effect is lack of proper
planning, monitoring and protection of the public and the
environment.
Science-fiction books and movies generate believes among people
that science is omnipotent and can accomplish any task. This is a
far-fetched interpolation from past experience that some science-
fiction fantasies became reality due to advances in science and
technology. Most did not.
The general population does not realize that time-travel, long-range
cosmic trips, tele-porting etc. probably never will be possible. People
do not realize that the Earth, the Sun and other conditions which
allowed life to develop here and in this particular form can be
unmatched by any other solar system. Therefore, if we do not take
care of our spaceship called Earth we will become extinct and our
"omnipotent" science and arrogant "scientists" will not help us at all!
This is only getting us closer and closer to this catastrophe.
Science and Technology made major strides in the 20th Century.
Many developments quickly become new technologies:
cars, aircraft, boats, audio and video equipment, computers, cell
phones, GPS, firearms, sonars, bio- and genetic technologies,
chemistry, medicine, etc.
The problem often is that we mass produce many of the new
technologies without asking questions first about what impact they
will have on our lives and environment. As a result, many of them
backfire on us and the environment and are a drain on our
ecological resources.
The quality of life should not be measured by the "North American
Standard" "more = better". Often "less = better" quality of life. Why
not measure quality of life with our health, clean water, clean air,
healthy food, beautiful nature, creative working environment, good
art and culture, love, good friends and strong family ? Why do so
many of us play into the hands of greedy and stupid people with no
moral standards ?
Unfortunately science and technology has always been used to
improve weapons. However, things got much worse when weapons
allowed destruction of the enemy from a distance where soldiers no
longer could see the enemie's faces, inflicted pain and blood. Killing
the "enemy" became psychologically-easy.
Modern weapons which allow mass destruction or extinction of the
entire ecosystem are even more dangerous, bringing us closer to
the Apocalypse. Many computerized weapons are similar to arcade
and computer games and strip from soldiers the feeling of
compassion and responsibility.
Here we talk about greed and stupidity on a grand scale. Many
scientists unfortunately "prostitute" themselves working for this
system. Also, technologies are often used without permission.
Our accomplishments ? A less stable world and a large and
expensive military machine with a huge negative environmental
impact even during peace periods.
Futurists were predicting a bright future in which robots and
machines will do the work and people will have an easy life and
lots of free time. They did not foresee, however, that greed will
turn increased technological efficiencies into more consumption
(leading also to more environmental destruction and pollution)
rather than to more leisure time.
Many people became hard-working "robots" of the 20th century
with plenty of material goods and little time and happiness.
Distribution of wealth and work load became very uneven and
often unjust and immoral leading to further frustration and
unhappiness. This unhealthy situation has to change.
Unfortunately, science and technology have negative impacts on the
Environment: deforestation, erosion of soil, destruction of land due
to mining, manufacturing, highways and housing, extinction of many
species, overpopulation, chemical, genetic, nuclear, EM and
acoustical pollution, "greenhouse effect", climatic changes, waste
products and dumps, etc.
This way of interacting with the environment is not sustainable and
already lowers the quality of life for the majority of people.
We are already using 30% more resources than is
sustainable. I highly recommend a book: "Our Ecological
Footprint" by Mathis Wackernagel & William Rees (can be ordered
from: www.newsociety.com ).
We need more morality in our actions not more "narrow-minded
science" and "scientists". We need a holistic approach in order to
survive. This is not only our selfish reason but our moral duty as the
"most advanced" species which we claim to be !
Many people say that science contradicts the existence of God.
Another group holds the opposite view, that science supports the
notion of God. Since science is only a model of reality (or a "fish
bowl" look at reality), one cannot expect to get any conclusive
answer one way or the other. Unless God would give us this
opportunity. So far it looks as though God (if He exists) wants us to
have a free will to choose one way or the other. Besides we should
be moral one way or the other if we wanted to be called humans.
Another aspect is that people expect God (if He exists) to intervene
in cases of crisis. What if God does not exist ? What if God gives
us a choice to create Heaven or Hell on Earth ? And what if He will
not move even one finger to change things ? Should we not be more
responsible in either case ?
Be aware ! Question and analyze things around you ! Use your own
judgement or somebody whom you trust and respect to evaluate
things on the basis of merit. Protect yourself and the environment.
Oppose greed and stupidity ! Let's build a better World ! Only
mutual love and respect can save us ......
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