The Theory of Everything, or Science as Faith

[shando]

Yes, I was being a little snarky with Justin yesterday with the Earth is round thing. But there was in fact a larger point I was trying to make.

My personal understanding of the physical universe is cartoonish when viewed from the perspective of actual practicing scientists. I am a consumer of and regurgitator of scientific tidbits, but that's not science. This state goes for almost every single person who uses this board. Ultimately, I take on faith, a faith built on the scientific community's track record and ability to point to measurable, quantifiable information and the process of weeding out incorrect information, that what the scientific community believes is in fact measurable, repeatable, quantifiable. But I no more have the means to prove to any of you myself that the Earth rotates around the Sun, that the Moon is a certain distance from the Earth, that red blood cells carry iron, that whale hip bones are indicative of evolutionary processes, that uranium isotopes are radioactive, than I have the ability to look are reports stating that human beings are contributing to an observable increase in world temperatures and be able to know how well put together they are.

I'm not saying that science is faith-based. But I am saying that my own relationship to it is, and I suspect yours is too. Which is all fine and good until you want to engage is conversations with people who don't have the same relationship to scientific consensus, or choose not to for political reasons. That's the point I was trying to make yesterday and why an improv message board would be the last place I would look if I were in good faith looking for information about the physical universe.

[York99]

Ultimately, I take on faith, a faith built on the scientific community's track record and ability to point to measurable, quantifiable information and the process of weeding out incorrect information, that what the scientific community believes is in fact measurable, repeatable, quantifiable...
...an improv message board would be the last place I would look if I were in good faith looking for information about the physical universe.

1. My point was that from what little I had gathered, the scientists that I have faith in now were from the same ilk of the scientists that I would have believed in the 70s. There was a drastic change in the consensus in just 30 years. What is the explanation for that and what reason would I or anyone else have to act on their claims now if they could change yet again in a short period. Gene did a great job of addressing that on the other thread.

2. The improv board is the first place that I look because I know there are so many poeple (like you) who keep informed on these matters. I would not look here if I was doing it for a research project. I have faith in you.