Science - Revision history

Fractalguy: /* The Rise of the Science Populists */

2025-12-04T13:55:37Z

The Rise of the Science Populists

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:55, 4 December 2025
Line 64:		Line 64:
	Many popular science communicators have joined the [[grift]] [[economy]], promoting [[pseudoscience]], [[conspiracy theories]], and a [[contrarian]], anti-[[institutional]], [[In-group\|us versus them]] view of scientists, experts, universities and research foundations. As with regular populism, there is a grain of [[truth]] in the criticisms, but the science populists exploit these to make content that appeals to grievance, [[outrage]], and [[Conspiracy theories\|conspiratorial thinking]].		Many popular science communicators have joined the [[grift]] [[economy]], promoting [[pseudoscience]], [[conspiracy theories]], and a [[contrarian]], anti-[[institutional]], [[In-group\|us versus them]] view of scientists, experts, universities and research foundations. As with regular populism, there is a grain of [[truth]] in the criticisms, but the science populists exploit these to make content that appeals to grievance, [[outrage]], and [[Conspiracy theories\|conspiratorial thinking]].

	Some of the earlier content by people like Sabine Hossenfelder and Andrew Huberman offered good science communication, and have even been included in this [[wiki]]. But the [[economic]] forces of audience capture reinforced by the [[algorithm]] have provided too many [[incentives]] to join the [[grift]].		Some of the earlier content by people like Sabine Hossenfelder and Andrew Huberman offered good science communication, and have even been included in this [[wiki]]. But the [[economic]] forces of [[wikipedia:Audience_capture\|audience capture]] reinforced by the [[algorithm]] have provided too many [[incentives]] to join the [[grift]].

	{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQnOFGWsXNM\|\|center\|The Rise of the Science Populists\|frame}}		{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQnOFGWsXNM\|\|center\|The Rise of the Science Populists\|frame}}

Fractalguy at 13:54, 4 December 2025

2025-12-04T13:54:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:54, 4 December 2025
Line 63:		Line 63:
	== The Rise of the Science Populists ==		== The Rise of the Science Populists ==
	Many popular science communicators have joined the [[grift]] [[economy]], promoting [[pseudoscience]], [[conspiracy theories]], and a [[contrarian]], anti-[[institutional]], [[In-group\|us versus them]] view of scientists, experts, universities and research foundations. As with regular populism, there is a grain of [[truth]] in the criticisms, but the science populists exploit these to make content that appeals to grievance, [[outrage]], and [[Conspiracy theories\|conspiratorial thinking]].		Many popular science communicators have joined the [[grift]] [[economy]], promoting [[pseudoscience]], [[conspiracy theories]], and a [[contrarian]], anti-[[institutional]], [[In-group\|us versus them]] view of scientists, experts, universities and research foundations. As with regular populism, there is a grain of [[truth]] in the criticisms, but the science populists exploit these to make content that appeals to grievance, [[outrage]], and [[Conspiracy theories\|conspiratorial thinking]].

			Some of the earlier content by people like Sabine Hossenfelder and Andrew Huberman offered good science communication, and have even been included in this [[wiki]]. But the [[economic]] forces of audience capture reinforced by the [[algorithm]] have provided too many [[incentives]] to join the [[grift]].

			{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQnOFGWsXNM\|\|center\|The Rise of the Science Populists\|frame}}

	== The Sounds (and video) of Science ==		== The Sounds (and video) of Science ==

Fractalguy at 13:49, 4 December 2025

2025-12-04T13:49:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:49, 4 December 2025
Line 60:		Line 60:

	[[Special:WhatLinksHere/Science\|All references to Science in the metaculture wiki]]		[[Special:WhatLinksHere/Science\|All references to Science in the metaculture wiki]]

			== The Rise of the Science Populists ==
			Many popular science communicators have joined the [[grift]] [[economy]], promoting [[pseudoscience]], [[conspiracy theories]], and a [[contrarian]], anti-[[institutional]], [[In-group\|us versus them]] view of scientists, experts, universities and research foundations. As with regular populism, there is a grain of [[truth]] in the criticisms, but the science populists exploit these to make content that appeals to grievance, [[outrage]], and [[Conspiracy theories\|conspiratorial thinking]].

	== The Sounds (and video) of Science ==		== The Sounds (and video) of Science ==

Fractalguy: /* More Than Just a Social Construct */

2025-11-30T15:02:21Z

More Than Just a Social Construct

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:02, 30 November 2025
Line 39:		Line 39:

	[https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204927599-nexus Yuval Noah Harari's Nexus] does a great job of explaining the relationship between [[information]] networks, [[belief systems]], and scientific progress. [[Power]] dynamics highlighted by [[postmodernism]] help determine what research is funded and promoted by the [[media]], but the evidence that is [[wikipedia:Reproducibility\|replicable]] is [[universal]].		[https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204927599-nexus Yuval Noah Harari's Nexus] does a great job of explaining the relationship between [[information]] networks, [[belief systems]], and scientific progress. [[Power]] dynamics highlighted by [[postmodernism]] help determine what research is funded and promoted by the [[media]], but the evidence that is [[wikipedia:Reproducibility\|replicable]] is [[universal]].
			[[File:Carl-sagan-science-as-candle-in-the-dark.png\|center\|frameless\|694x694px]]

	== The Structure of Scientific Revolutions ==		== The Structure of Scientific Revolutions ==

Fractalguy: /* More Than Just a Social Construct */

2025-11-30T14:56:31Z

More Than Just a Social Construct

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:56, 30 November 2025
Line 31:		Line 31:

	== More Than Just a Social Construct ==		== More Than Just a Social Construct ==
			[[File:Biology-applied-chemistry-physics-mathematics.jpg\|right\|frameless\|350x350px]]
	Some [[postmodern]] critics of science claim that science is just another [[Belief System\|belief system]] akin to any other [[religion]] or [[ideology]]. While scientists are humans, and their [[psychology]] and [[culture]] certainly influence their chosen fields and proposed hypotheses, the ''system'' of science ensures that our models of the [[universe]] lead to increasingly accurate predictions of its behavior. These predictions are ''useful'' in a way that that prophecy and other predictive mechanisms cannot, because they result in [[technology]].<blockquote>''“Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality.”'' -[[wikipedia:Carl_Sagan\|Carl Sagan]]</blockquote>A common criticism of anti-[[capitalists]] on [[social media]] is that they are hypocrites because they are using one of the most useful and amazing products of [[capitalism]], the smartphone, in order to make that criticism. However, this criticism is invalid because we could easily conceive of how such a device could be manufactured under an alternative [[economic]] structure. It may have taken longer for the smartphone to be developed under [[communism]], but there is nothing inherent in the [[economic]] systems that would prevent it from happening eventually.		Some [[postmodern]] critics of science claim that science is just another [[Belief System\|belief system]] akin to any other [[religion]] or [[ideology]]. While scientists are humans, and their [[psychology]] and [[culture]] certainly influence their chosen fields and proposed hypotheses, the ''system'' of science ensures that our models of the [[universe]] lead to increasingly accurate predictions of its behavior. These predictions are ''useful'' in a way that that prophecy and other predictive mechanisms cannot, because they result in [[technology]].<blockquote>''“Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality.”'' -[[wikipedia:Carl_Sagan\|Carl Sagan]]</blockquote>A common criticism of anti-[[capitalists]] on [[social media]] is that they are hypocrites because they are using one of the most useful and amazing products of [[capitalism]], the smartphone, in order to make that criticism. However, this criticism is invalid because we could easily conceive of how such a device could be manufactured under an alternative [[economic]] structure. It may have taken longer for the smartphone to be developed under [[communism]], but there is nothing inherent in the [[economic]] systems that would prevent it from happening eventually.

Fractalguy: /* Standards for Best Practices */

2025-11-30T13:33:02Z

Standards for Best Practices

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:33, 30 November 2025
Line 23:		Line 23:

	== Standards for Best Practices ==		== Standards for Best Practices ==
			[[File:Notice-home-scientifically-literate.jpeg\|right\|frameless\|364x364px]]
	Ultimately the goal of [[society]] should be to adopt the [[best practices]] for maximizing [[happiness]] throughout all aspects of the [[government]], [[economy]], and [[culture]], as revealed through scientific research.		Ultimately the goal of [[society]] should be to adopt the [[best practices]] for maximizing [[happiness]] throughout all aspects of the [[government]], [[economy]], and [[culture]], as revealed through scientific research.

Fractalguy at 14:44, 3 July 2025

2025-07-03T14:44:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:44, 3 July 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[File:Science-reason-scientific-method-peer-review.jpg\|thumb\|Person contemplating science stuff]]~~Science~~ is the core principle of metaculture. This means that its other tenets, goals, or conclusions should be revised any time contradictory evidence is found and a new theoretical paradigm is adopted. It also means that and any proposed [[Supernatural\|entity]] outside of [[material]] [[reality]] is not considered, since they are by definition impervious to evidence.~~<blockquote>''“If we knew what it was we were doing~~, ~~it would not~~ be ~~called research~~, ~~would it?”'' -~~[[~~wikipedia:Albert_Einstein\|Albert Einstein~~]]~~</blockquote>~~		[[File:Science-reason-scientific-method-peer-review.jpg\|thumb\|Person contemplating science stuff]]A deference to scientific [[evidence]] is the core principle of [[metaculture]]. This means that its other tenets, goals, or conclusions should be revised any time contradictory [[evidence]] is found and a new theoretical paradigm is adopted. <blockquote>''“If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?”'' -[[wikipedia:Albert_Einstein\|Albert Einstein]]</blockquote>Deference to [[evidence]] also means that and any proposed [[Supernatural\|entity]] outside of [[material]] [[reality]] is not considered, since they are by definition impervious to [[evidence]]. This does not imply a rejection of [[subjective]], [[emotional]], or experiential knowledge, since these phenomenon can still be studied scientifically, hence the field of [[psychology]].

	== Science Pages ==		== Science Pages ==

Fractalguy at 02:59, 21 January 2025

2025-01-21T02:59:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:59, 21 January 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[File:Science-reason-scientific-method-peer-review.jpg\|thumb\|Person contemplating science stuff]]Science is the core principle of metaculture. This means that its other tenets, goals, or conclusions should be revised any time contradictory evidence is found and a new theoretical paradigm is adopted. It also means that and any proposed [[Supernatural\|entity]] outside of [[material]] [[reality]] is not considered, since they are by definition impervious to evidence.		[[File:Science-reason-scientific-method-peer-review.jpg\|thumb\|Person contemplating science stuff]]Science is the core principle of metaculture. This means that its other tenets, goals, or conclusions should be revised any time contradictory evidence is found and a new theoretical paradigm is adopted. It also means that and any proposed [[Supernatural\|entity]] outside of [[material]] [[reality]] is not considered, since they are by definition impervious to evidence.<blockquote>''“If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?”'' -[[wikipedia:Albert_Einstein\|Albert Einstein]]</blockquote>

	== Science Pages ==		== Science Pages ==
Line 18:		Line 18:
	Science refers to the application of the scientific method over [[time]] in order to create [[Self-correcting\|continuous improvements]] in our understanding of the [[universe]].		Science refers to the application of the scientific method over [[time]] in order to create [[Self-correcting\|continuous improvements]] in our understanding of the [[universe]].

	It does not refer to any specific theory or contemporary understanding of how things work. Any of these theories could be invalidated by [[future]] research.		It does not refer to any specific theory or contemporary understanding of how things work. Any of these theories could be invalidated by [[future]] research.<blockquote>''“An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field.”'' -[[wikipedia:Niels_Bohr\|Niels Bohr]]</blockquote>A common pandemic-era saying is ''Trust the Science''. Those that understand science know that this means to [[trust]] the scientific method and the peer review process to validate true claims and invalidate false ones over [[time]], rather than [[Trust\|trusting]] in any particular scientists, [[institutions]], or theories, much less trusting the [[media]] to accurately report the science!

	A common pandemic-era saying is ''Trust the Science''. Those that understand science know that this means to [[trust]] the scientific method and the peer review process to validate true claims and invalidate false ones over [[time]], rather than [[Trust\|trusting]] in any particular scientists, [[institutions]], or theories, much less trusting the [[media]] to accurately report the science!

	But [[institutional]] biases and [[corruption]] tend to produce outliers when it comes to research, with results that cannot be replicated by those who aren't getting paid. Eventually the [[media]] figures out how new discoveries and [[technologies]] work and how to explain their ramifications. Things get better over [[time]]. It's the way of science.		But [[institutional]] biases and [[corruption]] tend to produce outliers when it comes to research, with results that cannot be replicated by those who aren't getting paid. Eventually the [[media]] figures out how new discoveries and [[technologies]] work and how to explain their ramifications. Things get better over [[time]]. It's the way of science.
Line 33:		Line 31:

	== More Than Just a Social Construct ==		== More Than Just a Social Construct ==
	Some [[postmodern]] critics of science claim that science is just another [[Belief System\|belief system]] akin to any other [[religion]] or [[ideology]]. While scientists are humans, and their [[psychology]] and [[culture]] certainly influence their chosen fields and proposed hypotheses, the ''system'' of science ensures that our models of the [[universe]] lead to increasingly accurate predictions of its behavior. These predictions are ''useful'' in a way that that prophecy and other predictive mechanisms cannot, because they result in [[technology]].		Some [[postmodern]] critics of science claim that science is just another [[Belief System\|belief system]] akin to any other [[religion]] or [[ideology]]. While scientists are humans, and their [[psychology]] and [[culture]] certainly influence their chosen fields and proposed hypotheses, the ''system'' of science ensures that our models of the [[universe]] lead to increasingly accurate predictions of its behavior. These predictions are ''useful'' in a way that that prophecy and other predictive mechanisms cannot, because they result in [[technology]].<blockquote>''“Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality.”'' -[[wikipedia:Carl_Sagan\|Carl Sagan]]</blockquote>A common criticism of anti-[[capitalists]] on [[social media]] is that they are hypocrites because they are using one of the most useful and amazing products of [[capitalism]], the smartphone, in order to make that criticism. However, this criticism is invalid because we could easily conceive of how such a device could be manufactured under an alternative [[economic]] structure. It may have taken longer for the smartphone to be developed under [[communism]], but there is nothing inherent in the [[economic]] systems that would prevent it from happening eventually.

	A common criticism of anti-[[capitalists]] on [[social media]] is that they are hypocrites because they are using one of the most useful and amazing products of [[capitalism]], the smartphone, in order to make that criticism. However, this criticism is invalid because we could easily conceive of how such a device could be manufactured under an alternative [[economic]] structure. It may have taken longer for the smartphone to be developed under [[communism]], but there is nothing inherent in the [[economic]] systems that would prevent it from happening eventually.

	The same cannot be said of science. If you use a smartphone to say that science is no better than any other [[Belief System\|belief system]], you are a hypocrite without exception. The smartphone is definitive proof that science leads to a more accurate picture of reality than other systems of knowledge or [[belief]]. Every single component is the result of centuries of theory and experimentation that led to the practical engineering knowledge that enabled its invention. Some of these discoveries were made under feudalism, some under [[communism]], some by government funded research in [[Democracy\|democracies]], and others through privately funded [[capitalist]] R&D. The [[cultural]] and [[historical]] contexts in which they were made vary just as much. But regardless of the [[culture]] or [[economic]] system that produced them, the scientific system was in use throughout.		The same cannot be said of science. If you use a smartphone to say that science is no better than any other [[Belief System\|belief system]], you are a hypocrite without exception. The smartphone is definitive proof that science leads to a more accurate picture of reality than other systems of knowledge or [[belief]]. Every single component is the result of centuries of theory and experimentation that led to the practical engineering knowledge that enabled its invention. Some of these discoveries were made under feudalism, some under [[communism]], some by government funded research in [[Democracy\|democracies]], and others through privately funded [[capitalist]] R&D. The [[cultural]] and [[historical]] contexts in which they were made vary just as much. But regardless of the [[culture]] or [[economic]] system that produced them, the scientific system was in use throughout.

Fractalguy: /* Science Pages */

2025-01-20T14:36:18Z

Science Pages

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:36, 20 January 2025
Line 6:		Line 6:
	* '''[[Materialism]]''', [[Reality]], '''[[Time]]''', and the [[Laws of physics]]		* '''[[Materialism]]''', [[Reality]], '''[[Time]]''', and the [[Laws of physics]]
	* '''[[Universe]]''', '''[[Creation]]''', [[Big Bang]], and '''[[Evolution]]'''		* '''[[Universe]]''', '''[[Creation]]''', [[Big Bang]], and '''[[Evolution]]'''
	* '''[[Fractals]]''', '''[[Self-organization]]''', [[Self-replication]], [[Self-correction]], [[Recursion]], ~~[[Gödel]]~~'''[[Gödel]]''', and [[Feedback Loop\|Feedback Loops]]		* '''[[Fractals]]''', '''[[Self-organization]]''', [[Self-replication]], [[Self-correction]], [[Recursion]], '''[[Gödel]]''', and [[Feedback Loop\|Feedback Loops]]
	* [[Quantum mechanics\|Quantum Mechanics]], [[Simulation Theory]], and [[The Gambler\|'''The Gambler''']]		* [[Quantum mechanics\|Quantum Mechanics]], [[Simulation Theory]], and [[The Gambler\|'''The Gambler''']]
	* [[Theory of everything\|'''Theory of everything''']]		* [[Theory of everything\|'''Theory of everything''']] and the [[March of progress]]
	* [[Nature]], [[Environment]], [[Climate change\|Climate Change]], and [[Overpopulation]]		* [[Nature]], [[Environment]], [[Climate change\|Climate Change]], and [[Overpopulation]]
	* '''[[Psychology]]''', '''[[Sociology]]''', and [[Culture]]		* '''[[Psychology]]''', '''[[Sociology]]''', and [[Culture]]

Fractalguy: /* Science Pages */

2025-01-20T14:35:26Z

Science Pages

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:35, 20 January 2025
Line 6:		Line 6:
	* '''[[Materialism]]''', [[Reality]], '''[[Time]]''', and the [[Laws of physics]]		* '''[[Materialism]]''', [[Reality]], '''[[Time]]''', and the [[Laws of physics]]
	* '''[[Universe]]''', '''[[Creation]]''', [[Big Bang]], and '''[[Evolution]]'''		* '''[[Universe]]''', '''[[Creation]]''', [[Big Bang]], and '''[[Evolution]]'''
	* '''[[Fractals]]''', '''[[Self-organization]]''', [[Self-replication]], [[Self-correction]], [[Recursion]], [[Gödel]], and [[Feedback Loop\|Feedback Loops]]		* '''[[Fractals]]''', '''[[Self-organization]]''', [[Self-replication]], [[Self-correction]], [[Recursion]], [[Gödel]]'''[[Gödel]]''', and [[Feedback Loop\|Feedback Loops]]
	* [[Quantum mechanics\|Quantum Mechanics]], [[Simulation Theory]], and [[The Gambler\|'''The Gambler''']]		* [[Quantum mechanics\|Quantum Mechanics]], [[Simulation Theory]], and [[The Gambler\|'''The Gambler''']]
	* [[Theory of everything\|'''Theory of everything''']]		* [[Theory of everything\|'''Theory of everything''']]