Thursday, June 7, 2007

Paradigm Shift

This is how scientific progress is supposed to happen: a theory, a paradigm, that has worked quite well for many years suddenly becomes problematic. Contradictions emerge; the theory no longer seems to predict reality. The scientific community senses the moment and rises to the occasion. A flurry of experiments is conducted, information shared, papers written and conferences held. Out of this intellectual turmoil, a hot new theory emerges. It is subjected to rigorous scrutiny and tested in myriad ways. Then, if it passes muster, it is finally accepted as the new norm, the new theoretical framework, the new “truth.” The scientists who came up with the breakthrough are nominated for the Nobel prize. The community settles back down, but now with a greater understanding of how things really are.
This is a myth, what the scientific community would like you to believe. More...

Courtesy of Adbusters magazine

No comments: