"George M. Middius" cmndr [underscore] george [at] comcast [dot] net wrote
in message ...



The Krooborg's estrangement from science gets deeper and more intractable
with every passing year. Recent references to the scientific method
reminds
me we should reflect on how real scientists work.


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Traditional Scientific Method

1. State the question or problem clearly

2. Study all available data to see how they relate to the problem.

3. Formulate various hypotheses to explain all of the known facts.

4. Design an experiment to test the validity of the hypotheses, starting
from the most general.

5. Conduct the experiment, using a control if practical.

6. Evaluate the results to determine whether the hypothesis under test was
supported or invalidated.

7. Repeat these steps for all hypotheses until only one is still valid.


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That's what real scientists do in the real world. It's rigorous, but it's
supposed to be. The objective is to execute an experiment that another
scientist can duplicate and see if it works another time.

Now let's pop into the Hive for a quick visit....


* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Cyborg's High-Predictability "Scientific" Method

1. Decide what conclusion you want to reach. It's best to do this now --
it
simplifies your experiments and eliminates the need for all that time-
consuming hypothesizing.

2. Line up the data that support your premise and invent rationalizations
to show that these data are "better" than others. Also, if time permits,
jot down some notes on why data reported by people with whom you disagree
shouldn't be considered in your "experiments."

3. No hypothesizing is necessary because the desired conclusion is already
known, so go on to the experiments.

4. Set up an "experiment" ;-) that is bound and certain to reinforce your
desired conclusion.

5. If people are watching, pretend to run the "experiment". Be sure to
fake a demeanor of impartiality and devotion to truth.

6. Promulgate the results of your "science" as noisily and as obnoxiously
as possible. Make sure you shout down and ridicule anyone who criticizes
your hypothesis (chuckle), your method, or your conclusion. Experience has
shown that you can usually deflect criticism, no matter how well-founded
it is in reality, by impugning the motives of your critics.

7. Sit back, complacent and smug, and trumpet to all and sundry that
you've
"proved" your theory and that no more "science" need be brought to bear on
this issue.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This is a very nice post. I think it will become a classic, quoted in the
same breath with Virgil.