this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2024
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Science Memes

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Science is more like a conversation. (mander.xyz)
submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] UmeU 31 points 5 months ago (5 children)

If all scientific knowledge were to suddenly disappear and we were to start from square one, it would all reappear exactly like it is. We would rediscover gravity, evolution, the expansion of the universe, etc.

Just because some scientific research is funded by entities with a bias, does not mean that the process of science is corrupted.

Often times the results of the research funded by biased corporations and institutions results in discovery that is contrary to the goal of the entity and so they just stop funding it. Sometimes they actively try to bury the discoveries, however the process of science will ensure that the truth comes to light eventually.

This meme has a poor understanding of science.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 5 months ago

If all scientific knowledge were to suddenly disappear and we were to start from square one, it would all reappear exactly like it is.

Three competing theories of evolution arose, independently, in our world - one from British and European scientists studying the tropics, another from Russian and US scientists studying Siberia and northern North America, and a third by a Japanese scientist studying statistics and genetics. While the current consensus in evolutionary biology is that all three are true (at different timescales), the vast majority of people (and even other scientists) only know the first. This is partly because Darwin got there first, and partly because a lot of powerful people benefit from spreading social Darwinist woo.

Ironically, in a post-apocalyptic world, the powers that be would probably support the symbiotic theory, with Darwinism frowned upon as selfish individualism.

however the process of science will ensure that the truth comes to light eventually.

As Keynes said, in the long term we are all dead. Science is probably the best tool we currently have to find the truth (assuming there is a truth), but it is always important to remember that it is produced by humans, funded by interests and (mostly, though this is changing) published by for-profit journals. When reading a paper, always read the conflict of interest and funding details, and hope the authors are being honest.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Thank you, agree. But I learned from this thread that the full pic of the femboy is apparently riding a dildo which kinda fits with the masturbatory dialog, and now I'm not sure what it's trying to say.

[–] UmeU 4 points 5 months ago

Regarding the masturbation and the dildo, well I suppose I have been had.

But I still disagree with that other person.

Science is better thought of as a verb, not a noun. To suggest that science is inherently corrupted by societies is to conflate science the noun with science the verb. Wank wank.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (2 children)

The process of science is not corrupted but deeply flawed. It is like that, because we as a species are as well. Science is the best method we have to create secured knowledge, but it is far from perfect. Things like predatory journals, lazy to non existing peer reviews in established publications, reports about scientists who are under pressure to create positive results even if their research had none of those etc. show us that .

Capitalism plays a big part in this problem. To plainly reject that is simply naive.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Science isn't "deeply flawed", sorry, that's nonsense. Are there some players here and there that try and abuse the system, of course. These players are then rooted out and exposed, that's how it works. If someone tries to hurry research, someone else will discover it.

This entire "capitalism is the root of all evil" is nonsense too. At its core, it's the freedom to trade directly with one another and there is nothing wrong with it. Strong rules need to be in place to control that process ans the lack of that is what causes do many issues, especially in the US.

Just writing on your mobile phone, claiming science is deeply flawed, is just facepalmingly stupid.

[–] [email protected] -3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

If you really think that the core of capitalism is what you described, you have no clue what you are talking about. Funny, that you ended that by calling other peoples claims stupid.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

Just out of curiosity, what do you think capitalism is?

[–] UmeU 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

The only thing that can correct bad science is good science.

That’s the great thing about the scientific method, as soon as someone presents a flawed hypothesis which is then subjected to scrutiny, good science has the opportunity to shine a light on the mistakes.

The process of science is not deeply flawed. Just because capitalism does indeed incentivize some to stray away from the scientific method does not then make science itself flawed.

You are throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Capitalism is a big problem, but to say that the scientific method is deeply flawed because of capitalism is not correct.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

We seem to be talking about different things here: science and the scientific method. Science is a process involving many different institutions and individuals with their personal worldviews, problems and interests. The state of the scientific method is a whole other discussion, I am not able to lead.

[–] UmeU 3 points 5 months ago

The process of science is called the scientific method.

There certainly are people who call what they do ‘science’, but if they aren’t using the method, they are not doing science properly.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

Whoever posted this meme has a poor understanding of science and isnt anything different than religious nut jobs or conspiracy types denying scientific progress

I really dislike the types, because they love using the results of science to proclaim their ignorant view points. If you really dislike science so much, for whatever reason, then reject all that comes from it. All the great food we have? Don't eat it. Don't wear modern clothes, go live in a cave wearing the skin of a bear or something.

[–] [email protected] -5 points 5 months ago

Too bad you can't test your theory either. So stop pointing fingers.