Thoughts II

The scientific method is a razor-sharp blade against ignorance and self-deceit. Though there is more to life than science, and we must take into account subjective things such as our feelings, making decisions based on this method is generally better. The scientific method also uses past experiences to construct a view of the world, but fundamentally, it does not rely on memory. It relies on experiments and written notes that are examined, analyzed, discussed, buried, resurfaced and finally either discarded or [possessing genuine worth] incorporated into the body of knowledge.

As I've learned in recent years, a curious thing happens when you transfer the knowledge in your brain into a piece of paper. It is suddenly there, asking to be questioned. It talks to the other written sentences in a way that is not permitted in our thoughts. It detaches from us. You are much more able to detect errors and false premises. You can then refine it through successive iterations, in a sieve that leaves only what is precious. 

I firmly believe that political decisions should follow technical conclusions that are solely based on the scientific method. This is truth as best known by us. If you go against a scientific determination, and this determination was indeed produced by a rigorous application of the Method, you will harm society. The scientific community is made of people, fallible, so it must have means to avoid abuses and misconducts. It is my opinion that today such means are not sufficient. Common people then mistakenly perceive scientific truths as opinions. Nevertheless, sometimes even our greatest minds are trying to fathom intellectual challenges that are too broad for our limited imagination, and we come to the wrong conclusions. Still, they were truth as best it could have been known.

The Forest of Knowledge streches itself into the wide horizon, all around you. 

You ventured yourself into there, walking among these ancient trees, without really asking to be there. No one asked you if wanted to learn about Bhaskara, or the Ottoman Wars. But you did sit in all those classes, nonetheless. Perhaps you were looking at the blue sky across the window a day, and you just wondered how nice it would be to be spending it outside playing instead. Few people reserve themselves the right to ask why we really do things in life.

Some people take this imposition lightly. It seems natural to learn things, even pleasurable. To others, it takes some convincing that they can find uses to whatever is being painfully pushed inside their skulls. I shudder to imagine such people trying to convince themselves that learning about Carnot cycles will ever come in handy in their future sales job*. I tell you here that the only real reason why you study such things is because teachers are clueless about what to teach you, just as you are clueless about why you are learning them. 

The most fundamental truth is that there is timing to learn something. Sometimes, now is just not the right time. A few years along the road, and you may find yourself loving the very thing that you test nightmares years back. I found from experience that when we engage ourselves in a personal Project that requires us to learn a specific piece of knowledge or a set of skills, we are a thousand-fold more willing to learn it than when we didn't really see what it was all about. Teachers are often trying to do the exact opposite of this, and trying to teach us things we have no use for. Would you buy a bike wrench set if you didn't own a bike?

But there is a good reason to skim at things, a real good reason to be as greedy as you possibly can in learning. If you could have an overview of the tools available for you, you would be more able to select them when the time comes. That is why we must never neglect to have a broad understanding of things, to try to fit each tool to a specific problem, to understand their reasons for existing. And yes, all statistics tell you that you are likely to earn more money for each year spent in classrooms. Only real humble people accept that they will be ignorants to some aspect for their entire life, and hence that they must never cease to learn.

But there is more to explore into this Forest analogy.

The trails there lead to all places, crossing themselves, and people of all origins have walked their path throughout the human History. Some trails are very well marked, the soil is compact with a thousand steps. These trails are comfortable to the feet, but offer little reward. Other lead to dark and eerie parts of the forest that only a handful of people have ever been. Who knows what lies in those parts, perhaps only the hardship of thorns, maybe a sight from a mountain top where we really feel the deep connection with nature. 

In this Forest, one must find courage within itself, every time, to venture into the unfamiliar woods. Traversing is an absolute strain in a hot summer's day. But no one really gets lost there, not forever anyway. You may need some time to get your bearings, but you can always count on an stranger to point you to the right direction. Wood dwellers have been known to make a living guiding people into the paths, keeping them from harm and unnecessary trouble. These souls find comfort in the company of the trees and creatures of the Forest. 

All along the time you are strolling the Forest of Knowledge, you see the sunlight as it is filtered by the leaves of the tall trees, and you know deep down that you are in the right track, that that is the place you were meant to be. For we all venture there, it connect us to each other, and to the other man and women that came before us. If someone really once said "Standing on the shoulder of Giants", it was to acknowledge this fact. 

So, as it happens to any pristine patch of the woods, the Forest of Knowledge is sacred. What would those man and women who came before speak to you, today, should you use its arcane Knowledge for evil and mischief? When we salami yet another paper, a deer is slayed for sport on the Forest. Made up a number on a result's table, here goes down another chopped down tree. Used the knowledge obtained in good-faith to develop nuclear warfare? The woods are now burning in ashes.

*Please don't get me wrong on this one. The world needs salespeople just as at it needs post doctorates. If we each contribute with what we do best, we built a society that is grand.