If history and science have taught us anything, it is that passion and desire are not the same as truth. E.O Wilson
There is no ‘Truth’ in Science.
There is only a repeat performance of experiences and experiments to confirm that things tested give every appearance over time of rendering the same result as the initial tests or experiments. Quantum theory, followed by the application of quantum mechanics, has allowed us, those of us who study and choose to believe, that scientific results are subject to vagaries of change and chaos seemingly unestablished by any stable force in an ever-changing and only vaguely understandable physical universe.
But, the verification process, religiously applied, allows humanity to advance into an uncertain future grounded with the background and experience of those humans who have come before…and taken the trouble and (many times pain) to gift usable knowledge to future generations that might not know, or understand, or have been able to try it.
There is no ‘truth‘ in the human social order either. Everything in every human speck of rationality and motivation, is genetically hard-wired to curry favor, to help those humans known closely, to invest in family members…unerringly, constantly and without any reservation, except in denying that that is the basal motivation factor in almost all human endeavor. The ‘numbers’ most everyone sees on television or in the mass media, to ‘prove’ the facts presented, are almost always wrong. They are deliberately wrong to favor one side, one family, one group, or even one individual. Those numbers can be bank balances, interest rates, political results, polls, and even numbers of measurement.
As an example, I had the plot of land I live on surveyed.
My neighbors (3 of them) observed this and then called for surveys of their own property adjoining mine. We got together after the surveys were complete. In order to prevent war and disaster with my neighbors, I agreed that my plot of land was actually much smaller than my survey would have seemed to indicate. I moved the stakes to an agreed point on each side to everyone’s satisfaction. Real-life.
Oh, by the way, in the social science of sociology there came a theory that explained all this and how it came to be, back in the seventies and eighties. That theory was called sociobiology, and the monumental and stunning conclusions with respect to it were deemed likely to affect each and every sub-discipline of social science. It did not. Instead, sociology was pulled down, out and apart, and then stomped to death… it is genius-level creator marginalized and sent to some environmentally safe pasture.
Quietly, because of what E.O. Wilson studied and wrote about, the very heart of sociology was removed and it was sent to the same pasture Wilson has been consigned to.
In the late 1800’s a “scientist ” named some fossils found as being a dinosaur species named “Brontosaurus ” ( Latin for “Thunder Lizard “) …and some years later other “scientists ” declared that the first “scientist” was “mistaken ” and that the bones were just part of an “Apatosaurus ” ,,,making many who liked the Name Brontosaurus ” …( I .. as a child …being among that group )..unhappy ….Then …yesterday …being …”shutdown ” and bored ..I noticed an article ..which from 2015 I believe ..stated that there really should have been a difference between the two and that there really was a “Brontosaurus ” which was a different species .. according to the “scientists ” from 2015 ….which ..as an “event” really supports Mr. Strauss” article .
Well, we seem to able change anything today.
History, Science, Morality, and other sundry items.
Thanks for you input, Michael.
There is no peace with neighbors. Your neighbor wants your land, your wife, your daughter and everything else. You can play a nice guy, good Christian boy, but the British are coming and you will be shot in the street and left to bleed out.
Well, that is an interesting response, David
Thanks for the bit of humor.
BUT you are correct, there may be ominous times ahead
Very surprised you would change surveyed property lines to satisfy neighbors. Did their surveys conflict with yours?
“Peace in the Valley…
It is easy to move the cheese.
And inside the home ~~smile
Thanks for your insight
Semper fi,
Jim
TOO MUCH at the moment to ponder and after two reads I have to give my head a break then return. I like it.
(Deep reflection – is “deep” the right word or not? Reflections are typically a surface thing using optics – returning of light or sound waves from a surface – or response returned.)
“We dance round in a ring and suppose.
But the secret sits in the middle and knows.”
“It is touch and go with the metaphor, and until you have lived with it long enough you don’t know where it is going. You don’t know how much you can get out of it and when it will cease to yield. It is very much a very living thing. It is as life itself.”
Robert Frost
Always cogent responses, Michael.
Thank you for your support.
Frost has much to offer…
Semper fi,
Jim
Interesting situation with neighbors and Lot Lines.
I am a bit surprised you acquiesced, but maybe best for “Happy Family”
‘Science’ and research lend itself to have the parameter changed at will.
Years ago when I was doing research for Ag Chemical effectiveness it was amazing how data was distorted and then published to favor the “Highest Bidder” (contributor) to the Unversity research.
The public, of course, was given false data, but it was from University, therefore acceptable