No point? The point of science is to ask a question, and have the world give you an answer. Instead of asserting your own answer from the start. “Do vaccines cause autism (etc.)?” not “Vaccines cause autism (etc.), let’s prove it.” It’s that easy.

Of course wrong answers get through and are published. Mistakes exist. Dumb luck happens anywhere statistics is relevant. Fraud is a factor. But that doesn’t mean people who actually care about getting it right can hold themselves to a lower standard.

Even with studies made to reassess established theories, they don’t go in saying “oh it’s actually x instead of y, this theory is right/wrong and we already know it”. That’s how confirmation bias happens. (Or maybe they do, but then that’s a problem with the scientific establishment, and not one we want to emulate.) You look for data that supports your ideas, and you’re gonna find it. Therefore… people will be right to reject your conclusion.

“Science”, the process, is the best tool we have for learning the truth about our world. “Science”, the word, is one of the best tools people have for spreading lies to further their own agenda. The difference lies in whether you follow the process, or mostly follow the process. Addressing your own biases is part of the process.

No point? The point of science is to ask a question, and have the world give you an answer. Instead of asserting your own answer from the start. “Do vaccines cause autism (etc.)?” not “Vaccines cause autism (etc.), let’s prove it.” It’s that easy.

Of course wrong answers get through and are published. Mistakes exist. Dumb luck happens anywhere statistics is relevant. Fraud is a factor. But that doesn’t mean people who actually care about getting it right can hold themselves to a lower standard.

Even with studies made to reassess established theories, they don’t go in saying “oh it’s actually x instead of y, this theory is right/wrong and we already know it”. That’s how confirmation bias happens. (Or maybe it does, but then that’s a problem with the scientific establishment, and not one we want to emulate.) You look for data that supports your ideas, and you’re gonna find it. Therefore… people will be right to reject your conclusion.

“Science”, the process, is the best tool we have for learning the truth about our world. “Science”, the word, is one of the best tools people have for spreading lies to further their own agenda. The difference lies in whether you follow the process, or mostly follow the process. Addressing your own biases is part of the process.