#facts #truth #science #InconvenientTruth
Who would have thought that facts – truth – and science would get such a bad name.
Most people like facts when they suit one’s preferred narrative. But, like the weather, facts can be inconvenient.
At one time, everyone celebrated scientists. They were considered the great minds of our society.
Now, some people not only don’t celebrate scientists when their research produces facts that they don’t like, but they criticize, even condemn them.
One can see a concerning pattern developing here. If facts are not facts, and real science is not considered truthful or acceptable, what’s the point of education?
Well, some of those who do not like some facts or science are trying to redo education so that students don’t learn those facts or science.
If students don’t learn what’s true, or are unable to properly discern truth or science, how productive will they be to society? How will their natural curiosity be changed? Will they be discouraged from being creative?
Creativity and curiosity are essential in all humans. To try to tamp that down in young students is doing them – and the world – a disservice.
Facts and science can be inconvenient, to which former U.S. Vice President Al Gore can attest. But the problems that knowledge, creativity and curiosity can solve will not go away.
If you live in a place in which people in power are trying to tamper with facts, science, creativity, curiosity and education, tell them you want all of those things emphasized in your schools.
Beliefs, faith and truth do not always match. Having faith is certainly laudable, but, if the truth contradicts what one believes via faith, reconcile those differences. Other generations have done that quite well.
If you have children, encourage them to be curious. Encourage them to be creative. Encourage them to want to change the world, if they don’t like it. Most of all, encourage them to do all they can to make the world a better place.
Certainly, one could argue that some people’s worlds don’t need changing. But, the world as a whole could use more kindness, more tolerance and more empathy.
Encourage children to embrace those characteristics in their own persona.
The world around you will not always be what you want it to be. But, embracing the people in the world for who they are would be a great start toward improvement.
The lesson here is that facts and science – truth – are usually not a matter of opinion.
Sure, what was once true can no longer be so. Some science can be, perhaps even needs to be, challenged.
But challenging facts and good science can produce knowledge vacuums, which can be filled by wild conspiracies, even fiction.
Beware of the person who tells you that 2+2 can’t be 4. That person usually finds facts inconvenient, so he or she just makes up stuff.
The person who can discern honest truth is one who will help change the world.
Peter
Tag Archives: faith
CELEBRATING HOLIDAYS SHOULD BE ENJOYABLE, BUT …
#Christmas #gifts #holiday #ConsumerSpending #joy #faith #celebration
A Nissan ad for the Christmas holiday shows two people chasing a delivery truck in a race to get a hot item for Christmas.
The custom of gift giving for the holidays started with the three Wise Men bringing gifts to the baby Jesus.
It has turned into a frenzy of consumer spending, something retailers look forward to.
There’s usually one hot item that seemingly everyone wants, and people rush to the stores to get one of those items before they run out.
And, yes, people have been known to follow delivery trucks to stores to make sure they are among the first to get an item.
As one observes such behavior, it begs the question: why?
Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy, a time of faith and a time of celebration.
It’s also supposed to be a time of peace on Earth and good will to people.
But, it has evolved in many instances to a time of stress, unfriendly competition, dinner-table arguments and obligation.
It’s also a time of difficult travel, either by road or air.
Who wants it to be this way?
No one, really. But, that’s what has evolved.
Therefore, we must pose the question: Is it worth all the stress and hardship to gather for the holidays?
Many would say, of course. But, many of those same people, when asked point blank whether they are doing it for pleasure or obligation, would answer the latter.
Is the peace, joy and celebration of the holiday turning into a family battle that has no good outcome for you?
The lesson here is that we should do things, whether traditional or out of the ordinary, because we want to. No one should make anyone feel guilty about whether to do something or be somewhere.
If you know it will be difficult to enjoy a holiday celebration, why put yourself through it?
Naturally, if you look forward to gathering for the holiday, by all means do whatever you need to do to get there.
But, if you are going through the holiday stress because you feel you have to, stop and think.
Being somewhere with other people for a holiday not only can be stressful, it can be expensive.
Make sure the pleasure of that gathering is worth it to you.
Celebrate the holiday in a way that gives you pleasure, and gives pleasure to those you care about.
Peter
A Nissan ad for the Christmas holiday shows two people chasing a delivery truck in a race to get a hot item for Christmas.
The custom of gift giving for the holidays started with the three Wise Men bringing gifts to the baby Jesus.
It has turned into a frenzy of consumer spending, something retailers look forward to.
There’s usually one hot item that seemingly everyone wants, and people rush to the stores to get one of those items before they run out.
And, yes, people have been known to follow delivery trucks to stores to make sure they are among the first to get an item.
As one observes such behavior, it begs the question: why?
Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy, a time of faith and a time of celebration.
It’s also supposed to be a time of peace on Earth and good will to people.
But, it has evolved in many instances to a time of stress, unfriendly competition, dinner-table arguments and obligation.
It’s also a time of difficult travel, either by road or air.
Who wants it to be this way?
No one, really. But, that’s what has evolved.
Therefore, we must pose the question: Is it worth all the stress and hardship to gather for the holidays?
Many would say, of course. But, many of those same people, when asked point blank whether they are doing it for pleasure or obligation, would answer the latter.
Is the peace, joy and celebration of the holiday turning into a family battle that has no good outcome for you?
The lesson here is that we should do things, whether traditional or out of the ordinary, because we want to. No one should make anyone feel guilty about whether to do something or be somewhere.
If you know it will be difficult to enjoy a holiday celebration, why put yourself through it?
Naturally, if you look forward to gathering for the holiday, by all means do whatever you need to do to get there.
But, if you are going through the holiday stress because you feel you have to, stop and think.
Being somewhere with other people for a holiday not only can be stressful, it can be expensive.
Make sure the pleasure of that gathering is worth it to you.
Celebrate the holiday in a way that gives you pleasure, and gives pleasure to those you care about.
Peter
EDUCATION VS. FAITH
Most think of education as learning something new. That idea was turned on its head in Texas.
The Texas Republican Party has the following plank in its 2012 platform: “We oppose the teaching of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) [values clarification], critical thinking skills and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) [mastery learning], which focus on behavior modification and have the purpose of challenging the student’s fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority.”
The quoted plank comes from The Miami Herald’s Leonard Pitts, in a July 2012 column. Naturally, Pitts is outraged at the thought of this, but let’s take it line by line, shall we?
Higher Order Thinking: Do Texans not want children thinking too much? When students do something wrong, and a parent asks, “What were you thinking,” should the student respond: “I didn’t want to upset you by violating the Higher Order Thinking ban.”
No critical thinking allowed: Despite numerous reports from employers that they are looking for more people who are good critical thinkers, no matter what job they apply for, the students in Texas should NOT be good at this, the plank seems to state.
Outcome-Based Education: Do Texans want their students to have no outcomes from their education, other than, perhaps, the acquisition of a piece of paper that says they graduated? Do they want them to learn NOTHING in school that might encourage them to learn more, perhaps outside of school, the home, or church?
Now, we are getting to the heart of the matter. Some folks out there believe that whatever your mother, father or preacher tells you is the absolute truth. Anything you see or hear that contradicts that is false. We hear people talk about the need for higher education, and at the same time call the institutions of higher education indoctrination centers, whose goal is to poke a million holes in a student’s core beliefs – or, as Texas calls them, “fixed beliefs.”
IRON-CLAD FIXED BELIEFS
There are all kinds of ways to go with this concept. Should all “fixed beliefs” be iron-clad? Do we want our students to respond, “we can’t do it that way, because we were always taught to do it this way,” when their employer shows them a new way to do something that may be more efficient, improve quality or make their lives easier? Or, God forbid, they discover FOR THEMSELVES a new way of doing things? It may be safe to presume that the platform plank is Christian oriented. How would the proponents of this feel if, say, Muslim students could not learn new ways of thinking, so as not to challenge their fixed beliefs and undermine their parents’ authority?
Some private schools are operated by religious establishments. Some allow students who are not practitioners of that religion. In some schools, those students can opt out of religion classes, and still get a good education in practical, secular disciplines.
The public schools, to which the platform plank refers, should contain no religious orthodoxy in any class. They should teach the students of all religions, or no religion, exactly the same way. Decades ago, students had no problem reconciling what they learned in church, at home or at school, regardless of how the material may have seemed contradictory. If they are having that problem today, it may be because of disputes among parents and various institutions.
The definition of faith is to believe something is true without necessarily having proof. The definition of science is to suspect something may be true, then seek to prove it right or wrong. We may never have proof that things in our faith are true. That’s not to diminish faith. Faith can be a powerful, positive motivator and a good foundation for one’s character. But everyone, students or otherwise, must understand the difference between faith and science. Everyone should have some of both in their lives. Beliefs should not be so powerful that they cannot change under any circumstances. Faith should never be so powerful as to inhibit real learning.
Peter
P.S. No matter your faith, or belief system, if you’d like to be educated on a way to become more prosperous, visit www.bign.com/pbilodeau.