From: Eleanor McHugh <eleanor@...>
Date: 2009-04-23T23:22:50+09:00
Subject: Re: Goodbye Ruby - Hello Earth

On 23 Apr 2009, at 12:50, Marc Heiler wrote:
>> The model itself is idealized to maximize extinction rates.
>
> I agree.
>
>> Got an agenda?  Welcome to the state of eco-science.
>
> It depends. Aside from this media brain-washed attitude, the whole  
> field
> of ecology does list problems without inflated models. Think about
> glaciers for example. It may not be a big problem that they are
> shrinking, however the fact THAT there is a change should be noted  
> down
> accurately by scientific research.

Agreed. Good science always starts with an hypothesis but what defines  
it as science is the impartial collection of data to determine whether  
or not that hypothesis is credible and the rigourous mathematical  
interpretation of the data. It also has to be based upon repeatable  
effects and testable predictions otherwise we aren't discussing  
science at all but metaphysics.

It's also essential that science be conducted in a sceptical  
environment and that those performing investigations actively distance  
themselves from those who would use the results for political or  
social purposes.


Ellie

Eleanor McHugh
Games With Brains
http://slides.games-with-brains.net
----
raise ArgumentError unless @reality.responds_to? :reason