Lots of new books about science, science deniers, and politicians are abounding.  Of course, the politicians all tend to be science deniers, but that should surprise no one.   Not the least of which, because most of them are attorneys, who probably never mastered science or technology when younger (and, hence, became lawyers).

Part of the problem is that politicians always want to make things simple.  Even if they (a) don’t understand the topic well enough to explain it, (b) if what they are discussing is highly complex, and/or (c) if they have already employed their prejudice to import blame on an opponent or minority.  (You have heard that diseases are caused by illegal immigrants, right?  Of course, that’s false, but that doesn’t seem to stop the politicians from rendering such rants.)

But, it’s not just the alt-right that is attacking science.  There are those on the left who invent facts scaring folks about vaccinations or genetically modified foods (GMO).

The real problem is that humans tend to rely on our intuition.  And, intuition requires no proof, no conscious reasoning, no evidence- not even our ability to understand the phenomena involved. To some degree it’s magic- but, we discount that magic by claiming our intuition is honed by our past experience and knowledge.

That may work when it comes to human behavior- if we’ve truly followed how folks interact with one another.  But, unless we’ve studied science and engineering, we have little basis to render such intuitive judgments.  That is why scientists and engineers study the laws of thermodynamics, the laws of electricity, and/or chemical reaction theory- because the knowledge of those basic laws (and advanced topics, to boot), render them able to discern facts, trends, evidence in a scientific fashion.

(I’ve often written about the scientific process and creative endeavor.  Those are but two examples.)

But, for those who lack a sound foundation in science and technology, our intuition tends to leave us astray.  Little kids think that ice cubes are cold and coffee is hot because that’s the way they are- not that they are affected by the motion of the molecules and atoms within them.  And, by the time school introduces the theory of matter to them, their initial concept of heat is extremely difficult to alter.  (Only a few of us are able to comprehend such concepts at an early age, so [contrary to the leap of faith that will come from this particular statement] the solution is not to alter our educational processes.)

It’s also why folks like me are taught, as part of our scientific training. to define our basis.   After all, how many of us consider the fact that when we put a book down on the table, it’s not just the weight of the book that is in play- it’s the force the table (an upward one, of course) exerts on the book once it’s placed atop its surface!

Or, how many kids (and some adults) think they can cool their home by leaving the refrigerator door opened?   After all, the interior of the refrigerator is cold – and they know the atmosphere in the fridge is cold.  (Of course, all that cooling requires a heat sink- and that’s why you can’t cool the house with a fridge- the heat is released back into the kitchen.)

It’s also why some folks doubt climate change.  After all, the Earth is “eternal”, it’s large, and for years, it’s absorbed our refuse with nary a complaint.  There’s just more of us now- and we are creating even more changes to the environment.

(Don’t get me started as to how complex the flush toilet really is.  When we were designing our modern version, we developed a very, very healthy appreciation for why he’s SIR Thomas Crapper!  We thought we knew the hydraulics and mechanics perfectly well before we began the program.)

Brings to mind how The Donald exclaimed- who knew health care was this complicated?

As  the radio used to pronounce,  “The Shadow” knows…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You might want to check out the three books shown above for more information on this subject.  (The covers are linked to the Amazon store, where you can buy them.)