Science is awesome
Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2026 2:53 pm
That is an elitist view.
Let me soften that by saying that I absolutely agree with you that MOST people are incapable of doing the research. However, there are absolutely individuals out there who are quite capable. Not anyone in Portland apparently, but elsewhere, sure.
Also, we do have to take scale into account. Maybe Joe in Omaha doesn't know how to properly do a study on climate change, but he's certainly capable of researching which toothpaste to use...I hope.
Also, and I'm being 100% serious on this, if it's super important for results of research to be trusted and understood then three things need to happen:
1. Research papers need to be translated so the average IQ can read and understand them. They also should be posted somewhere on the web that's easily accessible and searchable. (That might already exist?)
2. We discussed previously how funding for studies needs to change to protect from influencing results. I know it exists somewhat, but if a study is funded by a corporation directly, that should be labeled on the research like the surgeon general's warning on tobacco...
3. Jail time and a permanent expulsion from the research community when one is found to have deliberately faked their research.
Generally, across the board from sports to politics to finance to research, I believe we need to put in MUCH stricter safeguards and harsher penalties to hold people accountable and force things to be done correctly.
Let me soften that by saying that I absolutely agree with you that MOST people are incapable of doing the research. However, there are absolutely individuals out there who are quite capable. Not anyone in Portland apparently, but elsewhere, sure.
Also, we do have to take scale into account. Maybe Joe in Omaha doesn't know how to properly do a study on climate change, but he's certainly capable of researching which toothpaste to use...I hope.
Also, and I'm being 100% serious on this, if it's super important for results of research to be trusted and understood then three things need to happen:
1. Research papers need to be translated so the average IQ can read and understand them. They also should be posted somewhere on the web that's easily accessible and searchable. (That might already exist?)
2. We discussed previously how funding for studies needs to change to protect from influencing results. I know it exists somewhat, but if a study is funded by a corporation directly, that should be labeled on the research like the surgeon general's warning on tobacco...
3. Jail time and a permanent expulsion from the research community when one is found to have deliberately faked their research.
Generally, across the board from sports to politics to finance to research, I believe we need to put in MUCH stricter safeguards and harsher penalties to hold people accountable and force things to be done correctly.
