07-01-2023, 03:46 PM
For the purposes of this discussion "you" and "your" is universal. I'm NOT singling out any person here.
I was accused of only believing experts that I agree with. Now within the context of the "discussion" I was having he wasn't wrong. I believe that if a majority of people who have studied something and had it retested and peer reviewed can reach some kind of agreement on the best way to do something then yes I need to trust them over some rando on the internet no matter how much they claim to know.
As an aside I was talking about this with my daughter last night (experts on the internet) as she spends a lot more time than me doing research for things as part of her job. She said anyone who gives VERY specific information about what they do, and how they have had the exact experience being discussed is probably lying. Most people would say they work in a field or they have some experience with a topic versus saying they now EXACTLY that situation and have a 100% definite opinion on it.
This goes for the "trust the science" crowd too.
Of course I trust the science. I know that the science is being tested and retested and that science in and of itself is always trying to make sure it is still right or if it is wrong. And when it is wrong we need to re-think "the science".
If 10-20 years down the road there is enough evidence and testing and reviews to show, for example, the Covid vaccine makes our eyes fall out then I'd have to admit I was wrong and you were right for not getting the shots.
But that would be based on the science. Not you feelings, politics or religion.
That is an important distinction to me.
You might end up being right in the end but you are making a guess. You have made up your mind before there is any proof of your belief. That in no way makes you right now. In the future you may be the blind squirrel that finds that acorn. Much like those who claim the world will end on a specific date might get it right one day. Just keep saying things and sooner or later you might hit one.
We were wrong about DDT, asbestos, lead in paint and gasoline. Lots of things have changed over time due to "the science" that we had to adjust our views and personal habits.
Climate change and cigarette are just two things that we know more and it is in the public eye (for decades) there are still those who reject it simply because "the science" changed...even though we had the science and proof for decades but it was withheld because of money.
Medicine, astronomy, biology...are have evolved over time. Sometimes we went down the wrong path and it took a long time to correct. Doctor's resisted washing their hands, we don't go to leeches as the first thing when someone is sick and we treat post partum depression as a real problem.
Believing the experts, following the science is putting your trust in those who do the work. Sometimes they and we are wrong. Most times they are not.
But I'll still trust them before some guy down the street wo says the Bengals will win the Super Bowl every year...even if he's right someday.
I was accused of only believing experts that I agree with. Now within the context of the "discussion" I was having he wasn't wrong. I believe that if a majority of people who have studied something and had it retested and peer reviewed can reach some kind of agreement on the best way to do something then yes I need to trust them over some rando on the internet no matter how much they claim to know.
As an aside I was talking about this with my daughter last night (experts on the internet) as she spends a lot more time than me doing research for things as part of her job. She said anyone who gives VERY specific information about what they do, and how they have had the exact experience being discussed is probably lying. Most people would say they work in a field or they have some experience with a topic versus saying they now EXACTLY that situation and have a 100% definite opinion on it.
This goes for the "trust the science" crowd too.
Of course I trust the science. I know that the science is being tested and retested and that science in and of itself is always trying to make sure it is still right or if it is wrong. And when it is wrong we need to re-think "the science".
If 10-20 years down the road there is enough evidence and testing and reviews to show, for example, the Covid vaccine makes our eyes fall out then I'd have to admit I was wrong and you were right for not getting the shots.
But that would be based on the science. Not you feelings, politics or religion.
That is an important distinction to me.
You might end up being right in the end but you are making a guess. You have made up your mind before there is any proof of your belief. That in no way makes you right now. In the future you may be the blind squirrel that finds that acorn. Much like those who claim the world will end on a specific date might get it right one day. Just keep saying things and sooner or later you might hit one.
We were wrong about DDT, asbestos, lead in paint and gasoline. Lots of things have changed over time due to "the science" that we had to adjust our views and personal habits.
Climate change and cigarette are just two things that we know more and it is in the public eye (for decades) there are still those who reject it simply because "the science" changed...even though we had the science and proof for decades but it was withheld because of money.
Medicine, astronomy, biology...are have evolved over time. Sometimes we went down the wrong path and it took a long time to correct. Doctor's resisted washing their hands, we don't go to leeches as the first thing when someone is sick and we treat post partum depression as a real problem.
Believing the experts, following the science is putting your trust in those who do the work. Sometimes they and we are wrong. Most times they are not.
But I'll still trust them before some guy down the street wo says the Bengals will win the Super Bowl every year...even if he's right someday.
![[Image: giphy.gif]](https://media0.giphy.com/media/1kwsTjL8BNqlszNtnCE/giphy.gif)
Your anger and ego will always reveal your true self.
