19 Apr 2017
Superficially, the Indigenous Research Institute and the
Departments of Physics and Astronomy of McMaster University couldn’t have more
different approaches to science, truth, and knowledge. In actuality, the
IRI and Dr. Fiona McNeill, Director of Radiation Sciences, both share the
belief that when it comes to truth and knowledge, Might Makes Right.
Dr. McNeill wrote about the March for Science that is going
to be held this Saturday. Earth Day. At City Hall and in about 500
other places around North America. The Wikipedia entry on the subject lists
it as “Part of a series on Protests against Donald Trump.” It was
inspired by the Woman’s March in Washington, held on 21 Jan 2017, and this one
features Bill Nye “the science guy” as an honorary Co-Chair. March for
Science on Earth Day is as spontaneous as the Normandy invasion.
Dr. McNeill writes that “effective polices that use science
are only put into place when the public and governments believe the
evidence…Scientists need to learn that facts may matter.” So, how do you
get people to believe the “evidence?” By beating it into them through
protests like the one planned for Earth Day.
A scientist who doesn’t believe that “facts may matter” is
no scientist at all. But the point of the Earth Day March for Science is
the mobilization of opinion for progressive political causes under the banner
of “Science” and a general condemnation of Donald Trump.
Two major political objectives of the March for Science is
to re-generate enthusiasm for the anthropogenic global warming hypothesis, and,
strangely, to condemn the use of the MOAB device in Afghanistan against an ISIS
position. In the latter case, the official M for S line runs that the
MOAB is an “example of how science is weaponized against marginalized people,”
(like those in ISIS!) “causing them irreparable harm;” and that the cost of
building one means “diminished resources for vulnerable and marginalized
communities in the US.”
Scientists have had moral qualms about the use of science
for making weapons since the development of the atomic bomb, but such
developments have had the strange effect of keeping the peace. The
tactical use of the MOAB saved more than a few lives and limbs of people
fighting on our side, and killed head-hackers, gang-rapers of adolescent girls,
and those who roast people alive.
So far as the global warming hypothesis goes, that is an
example of the banner of “science” being waved for policies that cause economic
harm and that actually create more “vulnerable and marginalized communities in
the US.” Like coal mining communities, for example. And the town
with one large factory that employs semi-skilled labor.
The March for Science organizers have been criticized as
being divisive, obsessed with identity politics, and for excluding scientists
who don’t toe the Democrat party line.
Dr. McNeill should keep her scientist hat on at the rally
and observe those around her. That may help her understand some other realities
on the basis of evidence.
By now it should be obvious that the March for Science is
another political event intended to advance progressivist causes. It has
nothing to do with advancing the cause of science per se.
As I've said before, anybody who claims to "believe in science" must needs be pro-life, on the basis of the teachings of biology and of common sense ethics. Let's see how many pro-life banners there are at these Marches for "Science."
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