Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Truth is not a matter of opinion

There is something many, many, way too many people don't understand about science–or reality, in general, really: an assertion of fact is either true or its not; whether you like the idea is irrelevant. 

Don't like the idea that the universe is wasn't built just for you?
Don't like the idea that you're related to gorillas?
Don't like the idea that human activity is causing the Earth to warm which will melt the polar ice, causing sea levels to rise, thereby flooding most of world's costal cities and all of Florida?

Too bad. Come up with a better (and by "better" I mean "with better evidence" not a better-feeling story) idea and you can argue. Otherwise, keep your bruised sense of dignity and self-worth to yourself. It's not helping.

1 comment:

Rita said...

I'm glad there is a topic we agree upon, in part. The polar ice caps are melting. Yes, indeed they are! And for people to think it is some political maneuver and, therefore not true, is insane. And since I work w/ insane people, literally, I understand the meaning.

I believe there are many solutions to the melting of the polar ice caps. Solutions that if used by all Americans might help to stop and, hopefully, reverse the damage. But, unfortunately, many Americans choose to turn a blind eye to the solutions. First of all: fossil fuel and the use of it. I could bore you w/ statistics on the amount of it we consume in a day. But numbers are not anything of interest to Americans unless there is a $ sign in front of them. The use of solar energy, geo-thermal energy for heating and electricity alone in this country would probably stop the melting of the polar ice caps. But, heavens, let us not deny the oil companies their billion dollar profits quarterly. Now you talk about an unforgivable sin! That would be one of them, I'm sure. It would be down right unspeakable! Well, as far as I'm concerned, I will continue to use the least amount of oil products as possible by driving my hybrid care, turn on my geo-thermal system, hang my clothes to dry, grow and can as many fruits and veggies as I can each year. I will reuse the same grocery bags I have used for the past year when going to town for essentials from stores instead of getting new ones and depositing them in the landfill. Hopefully, this will help to balance my use of plastic bottles when I buy the flavored water that I love. But, I am working on coming up with an idea as to putting those bottles to use instead of sending them to the dump. In the meantime, I sleep well at night knowing that my small part is not contributing to the melting of the polar ice caps. Now, if I can just get the other 249,999,999 people in America to do the same, we might be able to save the majestic polar bear! Oh, and I have been a member of the WWF for the past 12 years. It is a worthy organization to contribute money to. They are getting the word out and trying to help the bears. It might be a charity you will add to your list when you start making the money that you can afford to give away. Also, The Wildlife Federation! Thanks, Josh for your blog. And you are correct: "Truth is not a matter of opinion." But, unfortunately, too many people in this country think it is...