I see a lot of people talking about #science as a #religion, or the closely related idea of “#scientism,” the purported ideology that says science is the only way to know things. Oh, I’m not talking about you, they’ll solemnly assure anyone who objects. Naturally you know better. Just … you know … them. Those people, out there. The great unwashed. On the #internet, nobody knows how long it’s been since you took a shower.
You know what I hardly ever see? The phenomenon in question.
There are people who think that way. Yes. Ideologues of science—hardly if ever #scientists themselves—who invoke The #Scientific Method™ (that’s a whole ‘nother rant) as the be-all and end-all justification for whatever nonsense they spew. Such posts and comments have crossed my feed a time or two. But they are vastly outnumbered by those who complain about them, at least where I can see both groups. I have no reason to believe my experience is atypical in this regard.
As a scientist myself, I think science is a very good way to understand certain things. In my field, it’s the best way to know what makes you sick, and hopefully what will make you better. There are other ways to learn these things, sure, and many of them can be useful places to start. If you don’t end up with a #clinical#trial sooner or later, you’re as likely to kill as cure.
To know what we’re seeing when we look up at the lights in the sky. How the natural world around us, of which we’re a part whether we like it or not, changes and how we both affect and are affected by that change. What came before us, and what might come after. The fundamental building blocks of reality. All these require science for real understanding. If you try to puzzle them out any other way, you may learn something, but you’ll also fill your head with a lot of nonsense. Sorting the wheat from the chaff later is a lot harder than doing it right the first time.
Other questions are at least amenable to scientific inquiry, although that process itself may not be enough. What my fiancee does as a #historian looks, to me, a lot like what I do as a #biomedical#researcher. Make observations, construct #hypotheses, gather evidence, test and revise. (And revise, and revise, and …) But #history vanishes every minute. What’s left is always fragmentary, and shaped by the interactions of modern minds with those long since gone to dust. There will never be an objective truth, only the truest story that can be told.
And then there are things beyond any kind of quantitative analysis, or even rigorous qualitative description. We may be able to agree on what makes a true story, more or less, but what makes a good one? That’s inherently personal. A happy marriage, a tasty meal, a satisfying job—only we can define what these goals mean for ourselves. Science may at best, occasionally, provide vague guidelines. Even then, my advice will not determine your experience.
My perspective is unusual in one key way, sure: not too many people do science for a living, at least not compared to other jobs. With regards to the way people talk about science, I think it’s not unusual at all, except maybe that I pay particular attention.
The division above—things that clearly belong in science’s domain, things that clearly don’t, and a whole bunch in the middle—is a whole lot more common than the idea of science as the One True. It’s at least somewhat more common than blanket rejection of science too, but not as much as it should be. That’s also a rant for another time.
Which all makes me wonder what people who never miss a chance to bring up “scientism” and science-as-religion get out of it.
@MarkRDavid. I would love to hear more from a #historian/#law professor about past #recusals. My understanding is that #lawyers can make the request, but it's up to the #SupremeCourt justice to decide if they can be impartial.
X is a dumpster fire and Threads didn't work because capitalism. So hoping this platform fills the Twitter void. I'm a public historian that loves to talk about history, current events, and media. #history#historian#politics#twitter
The Severn has shaped the history of Jackfield. Its always been a transitional place, a means of crossing to nearby Coalport. The following post discusses the ferry disaster of 1799 and some of the lives lost to the river- 🌿
If I was married to a Viking and I was really annoyed with him and wanted to burn his turf-roofed longhouse to the ground…can I?
I know Vikings set fire to each other’s longhouses quite commonly, but that’s a lot of men on the attack. Could one person do it efficiently, perhaps from the inside, fast enough to not get caught at it? (I ask because damp green grass and sod doesn’t seem overly flammable for arson)
(And if there’s a saga which covers a one-woman rampage, please tell me which one?)
Arno J. Mayer, Unorthodox Historian of Europe’s Crises, Dies at 97 A Jewish refugee from the #Nazis, he argued that #WWI, #WWII & the #Holocaust were all part of a “second Thirty Years’ War.”- The New York Times
I did not always agree with him but actually got to know him pretty well and was grateful for the support he showed me. He consistently tried to ask new questions & was eager to discuss and debate
I suggest folks take the time to watch this video. It examines & counters a lot of #Zionist#hasbara indoctrinated mindsets. The Zionist YouTuber being examined is a guy who has been spreading mass #disinformation & Zionist programming for years - I first saw his BS in 2021. This is a good vid to understand how #Israeli#propaganda works. https://youtu.be/JnVtpgCNLA8
Of course #ElonMusk is an #expert#historian, as well as a #Constitutional#law expert. There isn't a topic that #Elon isn't the premier expert of. Good thing we've got Elon to tell us how the world works! We'd still be living in the dark ages if not for his endless #expertise and #wisdom! 🙄
Among other subjects, this paragraph stood out to me:
Judge Tanya Chutkan wrote that being president “does not confer a lifelong ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ pass.” Trump’s “four-year service as Commander in Chief did not bestow on him the divine right of kings to evade the criminal accountability that governs his fellow citizens,” she added.
If you're going to read someone's opinion and analysis, a #historian like Richardson is a good choice. She cites sources for every subject, quote, statement.
Any Canadian Historians on Mastodon? Trying to figure out what institute this crest belongs too. On my Uncles (Mom’s side) sweater circa 1947-1950 most likely around Montreal. Possible Vancouver area, but I don’t think he had moved yet. Possibly military. We have very little to go on, as “Bill” committed suicide in ’77, my Mom didn’t cope well, and burnt a lot of his family papers and never talked about him.