Tinker: Science is a place for challenging, not bullying

[Sanguine]

Interesting piece by an interesting person:

By Scott W. Tinker - Special to the American-Statesman 2


Posted: 12:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Highlights

Commentary: The use of religious terms such as ‘believer’ and ‘denier’ has little place in science.

Commentary: Functioning in this ‘radical middle’ is not easy, but it is critical for true progress.

When did it become wrong to challenge science? There is a recent move to publicly bully, disparage and shame those who challenge a purported scientific consensus. It may feel satisfying in the short term to deal with the “deniers” via public belittling or even legal action, but in the long run, this tactic will erode the integrity of scientific institutions and the very process of science.

A current example of this strategy is the effort by the U.S. attorney general and a coalition of 17 state attorneys general to “defend” science by taking on climate change deniers. On the other side, congressional committees are conducting interrogations of climate change believers. The use of religious terms such as “believer” and “denier” in these arguments has little place in science. Regardless of the scientific topic or the strength of the science — from evolution to climate change to earthquakes — the integrity of science relies on iterative discourse and challenge, however misinformed or conflicted it may appear.

One such scientific issue is increased earthquake activity in the U.S., particularly in Texas and Oklahoma. During the past decade, the number of earthquakes, especially those felt at the ground surface, has increased substantially. The question is whether human activity is causing the increase and, if so, what can be done about it...

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/opinion/tinker-science-is-a-place-for-challenging-not-bull/nrRzh/?icmp=statesman_internallink_referralbox_free-to-premium-referral