Science is our friend

it starts with our schools. as tochatihu will tell us when he logs in. but changing the system is difficult at best. this is a long term systemic problem, of which trump is but a fly in the ointment.

 

I would not wish to offend any religion, but my personal opinion is that many ancient rites and rituals stem from a scientific attempt to teach a moral code to the great unwashed back in those times. Nowadays, these historical unproven theologies seen to stifle scientific evidence whenever there is confliction. As I said, I respect everyone's right to their faith and apologise if I have unintentionally given offence.

 

They teach evolution here...so no pity required. Both my kids were schooled here with Son starting last semester for his BS after Christmas break.

 

BSc ?

 

Bachelor of Science...Major Forestry, Minor Fire Management.

 

It can be difficult to understand the dichotomy in science. Scientists like to have the answers, but, in fact, if you look closely enough, nothing is certain. It is the uncertainty that makes science interesting (and challenging). Even things like conservation of mass-energy and increasing entropy are constantly being challenged, and, so far, confirmed. But there isn't a scientist worth their salt who wouldn't want to be the one to find an exception. A Nobel Prize would just be the beginning.

 

As a nation, US remains a science and technology leader. Other nations increasingly arise.

There are people turning their backs on aspects of science, but I think it remains narrow. OK, personally sad that many in US don't groove with evolutionary biology. Or strong human effects on Earth as a system. But we seem to manage anyway. Maybe the brakes are dragging on one wheel.

My larger concern is that the vast majority of people who do accept science as most accurate and useful description of 'the world' don't know much about it. Yet it is both fascinating and not that difficult to move one's understanding up a notch.

 

I've had some great teachers. Also (in early schooling) a few who were weak on science; sometimes amusingly so. Those latter did not impede me, but I suppose they do impede a lot of people.

I'd hope to 'upgrade the fleet' of teachers in first 8 years of schooling. Could not tell you how to do it though. If it's political to ask for better funding for public schools at those levels, then I'll not ask here.

 

science marches on. you cannot not stop it, but only change the velocity.

 

In the US, Bachelor of Science is abbreviated BS.

 

In UK, bulls**t is abbreviated to BS. Just sayin'!

 

That's also true in US academia. BS, MS, PHD... Bulls**t, More s**t, Piled Higher and Deeper!

 

I thought PHD was post hole digger .

What do you call a BA or an MBA?

 

...as in Political Science.

 

Parents are the problem. Their influence on their children mean everything. It’s to no one’s surprise when parents who are involved end up with a successful child.

 

But then MA would be Master Artist. That can't be right!