Friday, July 23, 2021

Science is Not Political

 There is a story of a politician who introduced a bill about determining the area of a circle.  This would have changed PI to a set value of 3.2.  It was initially received by the rest of the legislature with enthusiasm until it became the subject of ridicule almost everywhere.  You can't dictate scientific results in a legislature and PI remains as irrational as ever.

The lesson here is that science is what we discover, and if any laws apply to it they aren't man-made.  Further scientific laws and facts are subject to revision as we continue to explore the natural world.  

Yes at times there may be some uncertainty regarding causes of certain phenomena but that doesn't call into question the entire situation.  Climate change is happening for example and what might be in question is the percent of the various causes or how much they each contribute to it.  What is not in question by any reputable scientist is the human activity is one of the causes.  So whether it is 90% or 10% doesn't change the fact that we should reduces the contribution.

Similarly we see Covid 19 as a potentially deadly virus to which we have a vaccine that works.  Currently the latest variant is responsible for the majority of cases in this country and the vast majority of seriously ill people are not vaccinated.  Science shows us a way to reduce the number of people dying but politics has led them down a potentially deadly path.  It never should have been about politics.

Our reaction to the scientific threats of climate change and the virus can vary.  Shut down and wear masks or risk lives and behave normally.  The spectrum of reaction should be debated but the scientific consequences should be honestly evaluated.  In budget resolutions we have an office to evaluate the impact of budget decisions, the Congressional Budget Office.  

Because it uses math it is generally accepted by all.  Lets treat science with similar respect. 

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