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Chathamization

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45. People who are only interested in using the word "science" as a rhetorical bludgeon should probably

Thu May 21, 2015, 07:48 PM

May 2015

reexamine what the word means. It's possible for people to agree on the scientific consensus and disagree on what we should do as a society. This is particularly true for the use of technology, where people are trying to juggle potential benefits, potential risks, the human propensity to make mistakes (or be intentionally malicious), and how a technology might grow in the future.

Anyone who thinks science is a perfect predictor of future technological growth or human self control really shouldn't be using the word science, since they have no idea what it means.

It's also interesting that fear about some technology is considered anti-science, while fear of other technology gets a pass. I've never seen Hawking, Gates, or Musk get labelled anti-science because of their fears regarding AI.

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Does science have a liberal bias? [View all] Buzz Clik May 2015 OP

Some can't separate bad business practices and the science involved in those businesses. NuclearDem May 2015 #1

Bingo. We have a winner with the very first reply. Buzz Clik May 2015 #2

heh RobertEarl May 2015 #44

I've tried to express this same sentiment a million times over... Dr Hobbitstein May 2015 #3

I've been called a shill for "Big Pharma" because I take on anti-vaxxers. SwissTony May 2015 #15

Your check's in the mail. Buzz Clik May 2015 #17

I, being a liberal, use evidence to form my opinion underpants May 2015 #4

Excellent. But, there's evidence and there's evidence. Buzz Clik May 2015 #18

Exactly my point. They are convinced which takes belief underpants May 2015 #40

Very good. Thanks. Buzz Clik May 2015 #41

Science is apolitical and that's why Republicans don't trust it: DetlefK May 2015 #5

I agree totally with your second paragraph. Addressing your first paragraph: Buzz Clik May 2015 #19

Science has a liberal bias in that only liberals believe in science. Remember, science hasn't proven okaawhatever May 2015 #6

Not sure that conservatives don't believe in science... Buzz Clik May 2015 #21

Science does not support the anti-GMO or anti-vaccine position AT ALL. alarimer May 2015 #7

+1!!! Buzz Clik May 2015 #23

Science has a... 3catwoman3 May 2015 #8

Alas, humans do not and even assuming honesty (a big assumption, at that) accuracy is another issue. Nuclear Unicorn May 2015 #13

Indeed, it does. The truth can be elusive, but science can point the way. Buzz Clik May 2015 #24

Unless "science" has at some point been proven to be infallible, "scientific consensus" seems to be cherokeeprogressive May 2015 #9

Yup - current example: major shift in neuroscience going on right now. bananas May 2015 #12

"Science" (whatever amorphous entity that refers to) has never been said to be infallible. NuclearDem May 2015 #16

Wonderful response. Buzz Clik May 2015 #28

No matter how good The Scientific Method is, it can be subverted by just about anyone. cherokeeprogressive May 2015 #46

This is the wrong question. ananda May 2015 #10

Without question! And sometimes, those biases are difficult to tease out. Buzz Clik May 2015 #29

I think liberalism is grounded in science. FarPoint May 2015 #11

Yep, Liberalism is grounded in evidence of what is. hifiguy May 2015 #32

I disagree with this. Buzz Clik May 2015 #33

Conservatives and the GOP base do not believe in science Gothmog May 2015 #14

Hm. Not sure I've witnessed this. Do you have an example? Buzz Clik May 2015 #34

When a person insists that everything happens in a vacuum, they are as lost as the Rex May 2015 #20

I think the left invokes science when it helps and ignores it when it doesn't. HereSince1628 May 2015 #22

+1! Buzz Clik May 2015 #35

I don't know, but do know that DU's resident scientists are arrogantly biased. closeupready May 2015 #25

Actually, I'm surprised not to see more of your kind of comments. Buzz Clik May 2015 #27

DDT - remember that? It was touted as science! SCIENCE! closeupready May 2015 #31

DDT is still an effective and important insecticide. Buzz Clik May 2015 #36

Nah. If I thought members here were honestly trying to talk, closeupready May 2015 #43

Poster is confusing DDT and glyphosate. NuclearDem May 2015 #47

Let's look at each. Exilednight May 2015 #26

Nicely balanced comments. Thanks. Buzz Clik May 2015 #37

It has a FACTUAL bias. hifiguy May 2015 #30

You and I see these issues in exactly the same way. Buzz Clik May 2015 #38

Thank you. hifiguy May 2015 #39

That's it right there. Rex May 2015 #42

People who are only interested in using the word "science" as a rhetorical bludgeon should probably Chathamization May 2015 #45