Today, I am thankful for all science has taught me about the truth.
We all have opinions. My opinion is that the Beatles are the greatest band to ever perform. I think football is the greatest sport ever invented – and, by the way, I don’t mean the game of soccer. I believe nirvana is nothing more than a burger & beer on a Friday night. My opinions are my own, and I’m entitled to them. However, I’m not entitled to my own facts. Everyone must share the facts that make up our individual opinions.
This is why I frigging love science.
Science is that systematic enterprise that collects and organizes knowledge in the form of ‘tested’ explanations about the universe. Since the 17th Century, the scientific method has been the fundamental premise by which humans gather knowledge and facts. The best part about the process is its simplicity. Based on what you have already observed in nature, you ask a question, you offer a hypothesis, you experiment to prove (or disprove) your prediction, and then you analyze the results. Then, you do the same thing over and over again.
In fact, the scientific method is so simple that it wasn’t even created by a scientist. The approach is credited to a philosopher, politician, and statesman who lived in England during the reign of Elizabeth I. Born on this day (Jan 22) in 1561, Francis Bacon espoused the notion that truth could be realized in anything we do if we use the simple approach of questioning, hypothesis formation, experimentation, & analysis.
Today, nearly 5 centuries later, I worry many have forgotten that the facts do matter. Humans can create viewpoints, but they cannot create facts. Facts must be proven. So, the next time, someone says something outrageous or egregious, ask them this simple question:
Where are the facts that support your argument? With my sincerest apologies to Jerry McGuire, I kindly ask that you please don’t show me the money – just show me the data!
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