Judging by some of the latest headline “news”, Science appears to be having problems. Many of the stories present some highly emotional account about a new discovery in Science that somehow threatens our way of life. Microbes menacing to pounce, foods you like that are suddenly disastrous, and weather change that appears to be a harbinger of the end of days. Heck, even the Federal government is posting information on how to survive the coming zombie apocalypse (which I hope is done at least slightly tongue-in-cheek).
Can any of it be true?
A Media Machine
If you’ll notice, media accounts bring a message of immediacy. We are always on the brink of catastrophe. Crisis sells. If reporting of news was what made money for the media companies, that is what they would broadcast.
So what happens when seemingly stodgy old Science, which provides immense amounts of information that makes our lives more comfortable, meets up with this modern media machine that would make P. T. Barnum proud? We get a lot of conflicting information, as well as some outright lies, that propagate fear. A frightened population makes for easy sales targets.
Think about it.
If a news report were to come out today that a naturally raised food you eat all of the time posed a grievous health risk, you would likely be concerned or at least interested, right?
Just about the same time, a new safer replacement for that natural food has been discovered by scientists and is expected to be available on the market soon.
Coincidence? Probably not.
Effective marketing? Absolutely.
Are We Smarter Than Nature?
Now that almost every natural occurrence is catastrophized in media accounts, it sounds like Mother Nature is running amok and it is up to humans to step in and put things right. It sure makes for good copy anyway.
From my perspective as one trained in Science, Nature is and has always been quite indifferent as to the plight of humans. Disease afflicts the population at periodic intervals, within specific circumstances. Weather and natural processes (like fires, floods, and earthquakes) continue on according to their conditions.
Disasters however, are a man-made concept. Nature knows only itself. Yes, Mankind can have localized effects on natural processes (i.e. polluting waters that change the biology in area water) but pretty much, Nature goes on her merry way.
[pullquote2 style=”right” quote=”dark”]The mark of your ignorance is the depth of your belief in injustice and tragedy. What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly. -Richard Bach[/pullquote2]I find accounts of how it is our responsibility to govern Nature to be oddly entertaining. Natural disasters that can wipe out whole populations are suddenly under the authority of those same humans? Wouldn’t they more likely have tried to prevent the disasters, if they really were in charge?
Please don’t get me wrong. We most certainly do have an obligation to our world. As an intelligent species, we have the responsibility to take care of ourselves and the environment around us. We are part of Nature. We are not however responsible for our environment in the first place. Mother Nature abides.
Science Works
I realize mine is just a small voice in an incredibly noisy world where the loudest and more sensational voices receive much of the attention. I state my view simply.
Science is a way of thinking positively about things. It considers new ideas, examines old ideas, and ponders any number of “what-if’s” in life. Science is a way to evaluate, appreciate and make our world a better place.
Science does:
- Make observations of Nature
- Allow for new information to be considered
- Change its mind when new information disproves an old idea
- Encourage the making of mistakes. That is where learning takes place.
- Have flexibility when thinking about new ideas and data
- Support proven scientific ideas
- Study Nature and has a responsibility to Science is not responsible for Nature.
- We haven’t yet figured out Nature completely, so it is often unpredictable. Get over it.
- Is humble. Science knows itself and understands that it does not know everything. There is always much more to learn.
Science is not:
- A moral authority
- Using qualifications. Natural events are not good or bad. They just are.
- Always compatible with marketing campaigns, though it sometimes appears to do so.
- Apocalyptic
The next time you encounter a news report that trumpets scientific or natural disasters, stop and listen to the story. Subtract the emotional content and see if there is a reasoned voice trying to explain the matter. If there isn’t one, then move on. There is nothing there.
However, if you do hear a sensible voice, give a listen. Science compels us to think, not to be afraid. Science teaches us some really wonderful things about our world and it does make our living much more enjoyable. Just because the media trolls play with Science to boost their own agenda does not mean that Science no longer works. Science often works quietly. We have but to listen.
Please do.
We are the healthiest, wealthiest, and longest-lived people in history. And we are increasingly afraid. This is one of the great paradoxes of our time.
― r
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