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What’s Wrong with Believing in Science? | Jossalyn Larson | TEDxMissouriS&T


do you believe in science oh hey that

do you believe in science oh hey that was pretty affirmative I don’t think I

was pretty affirmative I don’t think I

was pretty affirmative I don’t think I got everybody though how about this the

got everybody though how about this the

got everybody though how about this the ones I missed do you believe in science

ones I missed do you believe in science

ones I missed do you believe in science okay now how about this have you entered

okay now how about this have you entered

okay now how about this have you entered into a personal relationship with

into a personal relationship with

into a personal relationship with empirical data

empirical data

empirical data okay good yes I’m we’re still nodding

okay good yes I’m we’re still nodding

okay good yes I’m we’re still nodding right so we’re like yes I know my data

right so we’re like yes I know my data

right so we’re like yes I know my data and my data knows me all right good okay

and my data knows me all right good okay

and my data knows me all right good okay now back to my original question let’s

now back to my original question let’s

now back to my original question let’s see everybody do you believe in science

see everybody do you believe in science

see everybody do you believe in science good okay well this question this

good okay well this question this

good okay well this question this question about whether or not we believe

question about whether or not we believe

question about whether or not we believe in science has become one of the most

in science has become one of the most

in science has become one of the most divisive topics of conversation today

divisive topics of conversation today

divisive topics of conversation today it’s causing horrible political divides

it’s causing horrible political divides

it’s causing horrible political divides devastating social divides and worse

devastating social divides and worse

devastating social divides and worse it’s causing divides and families and

it’s causing divides and families and

it’s causing divides and families and communities we in academia tend to point

communities we in academia tend to point

communities we in academia tend to point our fingers at others we call them anti

our fingers at others we call them anti

our fingers at others we call them anti intellectual voluntarily ignorant the

intellectual voluntarily ignorant the

intellectual voluntarily ignorant the enemies of evidence and then when they

enemies of evidence and then when they

enemies of evidence and then when they turn around and call us elitists we take

turn around and call us elitists we take

turn around and call us elitists we take it as a compliment not a compliment in

it as a compliment not a compliment in

it as a compliment not a compliment in 16 days April 22nd belief in science

16 days April 22nd belief in science

16 days April 22nd belief in science will take center stage as scientists and

will take center stage as scientists and

will take center stage as scientists and science enthusiasts across the nation

science enthusiasts across the nation

science enthusiasts across the nation march in a great Earth Day demonstration

march in a great Earth Day demonstration

march in a great Earth Day demonstration I’ll be there I’ve recruited an

I’ll be there I’ve recruited an

I’ll be there I’ve recruited an extroverted friend to sign me up for

extroverted friend to sign me up for

extroverted friend to sign me up for scooping potato salad I figure I can

scooping potato salad I figure I can

scooping potato salad I figure I can hide social anxiety behind starch and

hide social anxiety behind starch and

hide social anxiety behind starch and mayonnaise

mayonnaise

mayonnaise I’ll be there even though I don’t

I’ll be there even though I don’t

I’ll be there even though I don’t believe in science and even though I’m

believe in science and even though I’m

believe in science and even though I’m asking you not to believe in it either

asking you not to believe in it either

asking you not to believe in it either oh I know wrong crowd right we don’t

oh I know wrong crowd right we don’t

oh I know wrong crowd right we don’t worry it’ll be okay I will be there

worry it’ll be okay I will be there

worry it’ll be okay I will be there because I think that science literacy is

because I think that science literacy is

because I think that science literacy is a matter of life and death and I support

a matter of life and death and I support

a matter of life and death and I support anybody who wants to make that easier to

anybody who wants to make that easier to

anybody who wants to make that easier to attain I am he

attain I am he

attain I am he because science literacy needs to start

because science literacy needs to start

because science literacy needs to start here with us the science communicators

here with us the science communicators

here with us the science communicators we need to think about how we

we need to think about how we

we need to think about how we communicate before we go marching down

communicate before we go marching down

communicate before we go marching down Main Street and try to come up with

Main Street and try to come up with

Main Street and try to come up with witty chants that will win hearts and

witty chants that will win hearts and

witty chants that will win hearts and minds I don’t think we’ve been doing a

minds I don’t think we’ve been doing a

minds I don’t think we’ve been doing a very good job of winning hearts and

very good job of winning hearts and

very good job of winning hearts and minds lately in fact the opposite I

minds lately in fact the opposite I

minds lately in fact the opposite I think we’ve been losing hearts and minds

think we’ve been losing hearts and minds

think we’ve been losing hearts and minds it happened pretty big ly in November

it happened pretty big ly in November

it happened pretty big ly in November during the 2016 Democratic National

during the 2016 Democratic National

during the 2016 Democratic National Convention I believe in science became a

Convention I believe in science became a

Convention I believe in science became a major rallying cry speaking on her

major rallying cry speaking on her

major rallying cry speaking on her commitment to fight global warming

commitment to fight global warming

commitment to fight global warming Hillary Clinton declared I believe in

Hillary Clinton declared I believe in

Hillary Clinton declared I believe in science an echo of what former Maryland

science an echo of what former Maryland

science an echo of what former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley had said about

Governor Martin O’Malley had said about

Governor Martin O’Malley had said about her in his speech Hillary Clinton like

her in his speech Hillary Clinton like

her in his speech Hillary Clinton like you and me believes in science it was

you and me believes in science it was

you and me believes in science it was O’Malley in fact who said that Donald

O’Malley in fact who said that Donald

O’Malley in fact who said that Donald Trump doesn’t believe in the science

Trump doesn’t believe in the science

Trump doesn’t believe in the science well to his credit Donald Trump had

well to his credit Donald Trump had

well to his credit Donald Trump had never said that he didn’t believe in

never said that he didn’t believe in

never said that he didn’t believe in science in a conversation with a

science in a conversation with a

science in a conversation with a Washington Post’s Fred Hiatt he had said

Washington Post’s Fred Hiatt he had said

Washington Post’s Fred Hiatt he had said a nota great believer in manmade climate

a nota great believer in manmade climate

a nota great believer in manmade climate change and he’d even gone as far as to

change and he’d even gone as far as to

change and he’d even gone as far as to say that global warming was a hoax

say that global warming was a hoax

say that global warming was a hoax perpetuated by China these claims were

perpetuated by China these claims were

perpetuated by China these claims were mislead possibly mendacious to be sure

mislead possibly mendacious to be sure

mislead possibly mendacious to be sure but what made them particularly

but what made them particularly

but what made them particularly troubling is that they were just

troubling is that they were just

troubling is that they were just borrowing language that the Democrats

borrowing language that the Democrats

borrowing language that the Democrats were already using to talk about science

were already using to talk about science

were already using to talk about science the language of belief which allows us

the language of belief which allows us

the language of belief which allows us to ignore that science is a social

to ignore that science is a social

to ignore that science is a social process of testing ideas interpreting

process of testing ideas interpreting

process of testing ideas interpreting data and then coming up with new ideas

data and then coming up with new ideas

data and then coming up with new ideas to test not this this thing this entity

to test not this this thing this entity

to test not this this thing this entity that tells us what to think and how to

that tells us what to think and how to

that tells us what to think and how to behave because we all know how much the

behave because we all know how much the

behave because we all know how much the human species likes to be told what to

human species likes to be told what to

human species likes to be told what to think and how to behave the language of

think and how to behave the language of

think and how to behave the language of belief suggests that evidence based

belief suggests that evidence based

belief suggests that evidence based conclusions are matters of faith

conclusions are matters of faith

conclusions are matters of faith essentially it turns science into a god

essentially it turns science into a god

essentially it turns science into a god and don’t get me wrong

and don’t get me wrong

and don’t get me wrong science is usually benevolent

science is usually benevolent

science is usually benevolent offering advice that even I and my

offering advice that even I and my

offering advice that even I and my colleagues and the humanities can get

colleagues and the humanities can get

colleagues and the humanities can get behind as in elite Daily’s science says

behind as in elite Daily’s science says

behind as in elite Daily’s science says reading books may actually make you live

reading books may actually make you live

reading books may actually make you live longer but the problem is that lately

longer but the problem is that lately

longer but the problem is that lately science has come to dictate things about

science has come to dictate things about

science has come to dictate things about our private sacred spaces spaces which

our private sacred spaces spaces which

our private sacred spaces spaces which need to be known intuitively as well as

need to be known intuitively as well as

need to be known intuitively as well as cognitively spaces that have

cognitively spaces that have

cognitively spaces that have traditionally been the domain of

traditionally been the domain of

traditionally been the domain of religion science has come to dictate

religion science has come to dictate

religion science has come to dictate everything from how children should be

everything from how children should be

everything from how children should be raised as in NPR’s how to raise

raised as in NPR’s how to raise

raised as in NPR’s how to raise brilliant children according to science

brilliant children according to science

brilliant children according to science to how much sex an individual should

to how much sex an individual should

to how much sex an individual should have as in medical expresses why science

have as in medical expresses why science

have as in medical expresses why science says you should have more sex it is even

says you should have more sex it is even

says you should have more sex it is even claimed to determine matters of love and

claimed to determine matters of love and

claimed to determine matters of love and eternity as in the Atlantic’s there’s no

eternity as in the Atlantic’s there’s no

eternity as in the Atlantic’s there’s no such thing as everlasting love according

such thing as everlasting love according

such thing as everlasting love according to science well that’s inspiring we

to science well that’s inspiring we

to science well that’s inspiring we might think that this is harmless

might think that this is harmless

might think that this is harmless rhetorical flair clickbait right but the

rhetorical flair clickbait right but the

rhetorical flair clickbait right but the problem is that when we turn science

problem is that when we turn science

problem is that when we turn science into a god science is going to encounter

into a god science is going to encounter

into a god science is going to encounter the same challenge faced by any deity

the same challenge faced by any deity

the same challenge faced by any deity why do you do when people stop believing

why do you do when people stop believing

why do you do when people stop believing but you can’t choose not to believe in

but you can’t choose not to believe in

but you can’t choose not to believe in science we say science is factual and

science we say science is factual and

science we say science is factual and evidence-based no actually that’s where

evidence-based no actually that’s where

evidence-based no actually that’s where we’ve been wrong and this I think is

we’ve been wrong and this I think is

we’ve been wrong and this I think is where our conversation is breaking down

where our conversation is breaking down

where our conversation is breaking down science here is personification it gives

science here is personification it gives

science here is personification it gives a name a voice and an intelligence to

a name a voice and an intelligence to

a name a voice and an intelligence to data or to the natural forces governing

data or to the natural forces governing

data or to the natural forces governing those data but actually data doesn’t

those data but actually data doesn’t

those data but actually data doesn’t speak it can’t interpret itself it

speak it can’t interpret itself it

speak it can’t interpret itself it requires people researchers

requires people researchers

requires people researchers communicators to interpret it and so

communicators to interpret it and so

communicators to interpret it and so when you say science says actually you

when you say science says actually you

when you say science says actually you probably mean that a researcher has

probably mean that a researcher has

probably mean that a researcher has interpreted his or her data to mean

interpreted his or her data to mean

interpreted his or her data to mean whatever it is you’re about to tell me

whatever it is you’re about to tell me

whatever it is you’re about to tell me and that a peer review board has

and that a peer review board has

and that a peer review board has accepted that conclude

accepted that conclude

accepted that conclude as plausible so when we personify

as plausible so when we personify

as plausible so when we personify science then we’re allowed to forget

science then we’re allowed to forget

science then we’re allowed to forget that actually we’re talking about human

that actually we’re talking about human

that actually we’re talking about human beings here men and women who are

beings here men and women who are

beings here men and women who are involved in rich vibrant conversations

involved in rich vibrant conversations

involved in rich vibrant conversations and we’re allowed to imagine instead

and we’re allowed to imagine instead

and we’re allowed to imagine instead that this great ethereal entity has

that this great ethereal entity has

that this great ethereal entity has spoken from the realm of natural law to

spoken from the realm of natural law to

spoken from the realm of natural law to tell us things like cockroach milk is

tell us things like cockroach milk is

tell us things like cockroach milk is the next superfood or that the secret to

the next superfood or that the secret to

the next superfood or that the secret to a happy marriage is drinking together or

a happy marriage is drinking together or

a happy marriage is drinking together or that liberals not conservatives are

that liberals not conservatives are

that liberals not conservatives are psychotic or that a childhood vaccine

psychotic or that a childhood vaccine

psychotic or that a childhood vaccine has been linked to autism okay but look

has been linked to autism okay but look

has been linked to autism okay but look I’m not here to metaphor shame anybody

I’m not here to metaphor shame anybody

I’m not here to metaphor shame anybody we need metaphor in order to communicate

we need metaphor in order to communicate

we need metaphor in order to communicate science from time to time researchers

science from time to time researchers

science from time to time researchers will have a need for language that

will have a need for language that

will have a need for language that signifies things that are too vast or

signifies things that are too vast or

signifies things that are too vast or too complex to be expressed fully Albert

too complex to be expressed fully Albert

too complex to be expressed fully Albert Einstein called that experience and

Einstein called that experience and

Einstein called that experience and encounter with the mysterious he said

encounter with the mysterious he said

encounter with the mysterious he said the most beautiful experience we can

the most beautiful experience we can

the most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious and that he was

have is the mysterious and that he was

have is the mysterious and that he was satisfied with the humble attempt to

satisfied with the humble attempt to

satisfied with the humble attempt to understand even a tiny portion of the

understand even a tiny portion of the

understand even a tiny portion of the reason that manifests itself in nature

reason that manifests itself in nature

reason that manifests itself in nature because scientific inquiry takes for

because scientific inquiry takes for

because scientific inquiry takes for granted that the universe and its

granted that the universe and its

granted that the universe and its processes are intelligible interaction

processes are intelligible interaction

processes are intelligible interaction with mysterious feels like interaction

with mysterious feels like interaction

with mysterious feels like interaction with an intelligent entity so it’s

with an intelligent entity so it’s

with an intelligent entity so it’s natural for us to personify that entity

natural for us to personify that entity

natural for us to personify that entity and to give it names like science or as

and to give it names like science or as

and to give it names like science or as Einstein has done in his essay nature so

Einstein has done in his essay nature so

Einstein has done in his essay nature so this science says problem is mostly a

this science says problem is mostly a

this science says problem is mostly a problem for popular journalism memes and

problem for popular journalism memes and

problem for popular journalism memes and phrases tossed around in conversation or

phrases tossed around in conversation or

phrases tossed around in conversation or on bumper stickers most scientists are

on bumper stickers most scientists are

on bumper stickers most scientists are not going to use science says or

not going to use science says or

not going to use science says or according to science in scholarly

according to science in scholarly

according to science in scholarly articles I think that’s because

articles I think that’s because

articles I think that’s because researchers are keenly aware of their

researchers are keenly aware of their

researchers are keenly aware of their place within a sometimes contentious

place within a sometimes contentious

place within a sometimes contentious conversation and there’s also this

conversation and there’s also this

conversation and there’s also this lovely thing called impostor syndrome

lovely thing called impostor syndrome

lovely thing called impostor syndrome scientists will however personify

scientists will however personify

scientists will however personify nature all the dang time think about it

nature all the dang time think about it

nature all the dang time think about it think about this phrase natural

think about this phrase natural

think about this phrase natural selection

selection

selection what is selection but the act of

what is selection but the act of

what is selection but the act of carefully choosing someone or something

carefully choosing someone or something

carefully choosing someone or something over another that’s a human act in order

over another that’s a human act in order

over another that’s a human act in order to select something I need to have some

to select something I need to have some

to select something I need to have some intelligence and free will and yes

intelligence and free will and yes

intelligence and free will and yes evolutionary biologists have given the

evolutionary biologists have given the

evolutionary biologists have given the phrase natural selection a new

phrase natural selection a new

phrase natural selection a new definition that includes things like

definition that includes things like

definition that includes things like environmental and genetic influences and

environmental and genetic influences and

environmental and genetic influences and something about the thriving of

something about the thriving of

something about the thriving of organisms but that doesn’t change the

organisms but that doesn’t change the

organisms but that doesn’t change the fact that this phrase is and has always

fact that this phrase is and has always

fact that this phrase is and has always been personification not convinced all

been personification not convinced all

been personification not convinced all right how about this in February of 2016

right how about this in February of 2016

right how about this in February of 2016 the open access Medical Journal plus-1

the open access Medical Journal plus-1

the open access Medical Journal plus-1 published an article by a team of

published an article by a team of

published an article by a team of Italian researchers led by Simona

Italian researchers led by Simona

Italian researchers led by Simona giardini called on nature’s strategy for

giardini called on nature’s strategy for

giardini called on nature’s strategy for assigning genetic code multiplicity in

assigning genetic code multiplicity in

assigning genetic code multiplicity in this article the author’s personify

this article the author’s personify

this article the author’s personify nature as an intelligent agent that

nature as an intelligent agent that

nature as an intelligent agent that strategizes makes decisions and even

strategizes makes decisions and even

strategizes makes decisions and even leaves hidden messages for the

leaves hidden messages for the

leaves hidden messages for the researchers to interpret the researchers

researchers to interpret the researchers

researchers to interpret the researchers said that their purpose was to find the

said that their purpose was to find the

said that their purpose was to find the origins of standard genetic code biased

origins of standard genetic code biased

origins of standard genetic code biased code on assignment for incorporating all

code on assignment for incorporating all

code on assignment for incorporating all the amino acids that have survived

the amino acids that have survived

the amino acids that have survived nature’s selection notice by the way the

nature’s selection notice by the way the

nature’s selection notice by the way the capital letter indicating the proper

capital letter indicating the proper

capital letter indicating the proper noun alright I am I’m not going to ask

noun alright I am I’m not going to ask

noun alright I am I’m not going to ask you not to believe in nature I don’t

you not to believe in nature I don’t

you not to believe in nature I don’t think that nature is as dangerous as

think that nature is as dangerous as

think that nature is as dangerous as science because it doesn’t give the

science because it doesn’t give the

science because it doesn’t give the impression that the claims of a single

impression that the claims of a single

impression that the claims of a single researcher or research team are somehow

researcher or research team are somehow

researcher or research team are somehow the words of them an omniscient deity

the words of them an omniscient deity

the words of them an omniscient deity but I will ask you to consider that when

but I will ask you to consider that when

but I will ask you to consider that when you reference nature you are actually

you reference nature you are actually

you reference nature you are actually gesturing towards something supernatural

gesturing towards something supernatural

gesturing towards something supernatural nature is the physical force regarded as

nature is the physical force regarded as

nature is the physical force regarded as causing and regulating the phenomena of

causing and regulating the phenomena of

causing and regulating the phenomena of the world if we follow that through the

the world if we follow that through the

the world if we follow that through the nature must have existed before the

nature must have existed before the

nature must have existed before the phenomena of the world in order to cause

phenomena of the world in order to cause

phenomena of the world in order to cause it and it

it and it

it and it exist beyond the phenomena of the world

exist beyond the phenomena of the world

exist beyond the phenomena of the world in order to regulate it so therefore it

in order to regulate it so therefore it

in order to regulate it so therefore it is supernatural okay so maybe I should

is supernatural okay so maybe I should

is supernatural okay so maybe I should ask you do you believe in nature oh now

ask you do you believe in nature oh now

ask you do you believe in nature oh now we start to get into a bit of a tangle

we start to get into a bit of a tangle

we start to get into a bit of a tangle don’twe right because although I’ve

don’twe right because although I’ve

don’twe right because although I’ve asked you not to talk about science like

asked you not to talk about science like

asked you not to talk about science like it’s a god but nature for centuries

it’s a god but nature for centuries

it’s a god but nature for centuries we’ve toyed with the idea of nature as

we’ve toyed with the idea of nature as

we’ve toyed with the idea of nature as divinity we can call that pantheism 17th

divinity we can call that pantheism 17th

divinity we can call that pantheism 17th century philosopher Baruch Spinoza was a

century philosopher Baruch Spinoza was a

century philosopher Baruch Spinoza was a major proponent of this idea and

major proponent of this idea and

major proponent of this idea and Einstein was a fan of Spinoza

Einstein was a fan of Spinoza

Einstein was a fan of Spinoza so yeah when you’re referencing nature

so yeah when you’re referencing nature

so yeah when you’re referencing nature you are actually gesturing towards

you are actually gesturing towards

you are actually gesturing towards something supernatural and some

something supernatural and some

something supernatural and some philosophies you’re gesturing toward a

philosophies you’re gesturing toward a

philosophies you’re gesturing toward a kind of divinity okay but what if we say

kind of divinity okay but what if we say

kind of divinity okay but what if we say it in another language what if we say it

it in another language what if we say it

it in another language what if we say it in Chinese what if instead of nature we

in Chinese what if instead of nature we

in Chinese what if instead of nature we say Jew and what if when we translate

say Jew and what if when we translate

say Jew and what if when we translate Jew back into English it becomes creator

Jew back into English it becomes creator

Jew back into English it becomes creator oh no absolutely not whack job

oh no absolutely not whack job

oh no absolutely not whack job humanities professor on the stage who

humanities professor on the stage who

humanities professor on the stage who let her in here no no there with me on

let her in here no no there with me on

let her in here no no there with me on this please because last year something

this please because last year something

this please because last year something happens that I’m afraid is going to rock

happens that I’m afraid is going to rock

happens that I’m afraid is going to rock the relationship between science

the relationship between science

the relationship between science communicators and their audience for a

communicators and their audience for a

communicators and their audience for a long time if we don’t decide here

long time if we don’t decide here

long time if we don’t decide here together today that we reject this event

together today that we reject this event

together today that we reject this event and its outcome one month before the

and its outcome one month before the

and its outcome one month before the publication of on nature strategy plus

publication of on nature strategy plus

publication of on nature strategy plus one published an article by team of

one published an article by team of

one published an article by team of researchers led by Ming Jin lu of

researchers led by Ming Jin lu of

researchers led by Ming Jin lu of china’s was on university of science and

china’s was on university of science and

china’s was on university of science and technology it was just a small study

technology it was just a small study

technology it was just a small study about the link between the hand

about the link between the hand

about the link between the hand structure and its function for two

structure and its function for two

structure and its function for two months nothing happened then in early

months nothing happened then in early

months nothing happened then in early March the paper started to go viral plus

March the paper started to go viral plus

March the paper started to go viral plus one began receiving complaints about

one began receiving complaints about

one began receiving complaints about language in the article the complaints

language in the article the complaints

language in the article the complaints focused

focused

focused three separate sentences which were

three separate sentences which were

three separate sentences which were scattered throughout the 16 page report

scattered throughout the 16 page report

scattered throughout the 16 page report each of which made reference to a

each of which made reference to a

each of which made reference to a creator the term appeared in the papers

creator the term appeared in the papers

creator the term appeared in the papers abstract introduction and conclusion and

abstract introduction and conclusion and

abstract introduction and conclusion and it was used similarly each time the

it was used similarly each time the

it was used similarly each time the author’s felt that their study indicated

author’s felt that their study indicated

author’s felt that their study indicated that the hands mechanical architecture

that the hands mechanical architecture

that the hands mechanical architecture is the proper design by the creator for

is the proper design by the creator for

is the proper design by the creator for dexterous performance okay so the first

dexterous performance okay so the first

dexterous performance okay so the first comment was posted to the article on

comment was posted to the article on

comment was posted to the article on plus-ones website on the 2nd of March by

plus-ones website on the 2nd of March by

plus-ones website on the 2nd of March by a reader who identified himself as dr.

a reader who identified himself as dr.

a reader who identified himself as dr. Lynn H Snyder cell biologists turned

Lynn H Snyder cell biologists turned

Lynn H Snyder cell biologists turned science journalist should I – wrote that

science journalist should I – wrote that

science journalist should I – wrote that even if you should not be able to

even if you should not be able to

even if you should not be able to convince the authors editors and fear of

convince the authors editors and fear of

convince the authors editors and fear of yours of the study of the non-existence

yours of the study of the non-existence

yours of the study of the non-existence of a divine creator he wish that they

of a divine creator he wish that they

of a divine creator he wish that they would consider that humans occasionally

would consider that humans occasionally

would consider that humans occasionally use their hand as a tool of masturbation

use their hand as a tool of masturbation

use their hand as a tool of masturbation one of a multitude of daily tasks

one of a multitude of daily tasks

one of a multitude of daily tasks performed in a comfortable way

performed in a comfortable way

performed in a comfortable way masturbation is a sinful activity

masturbation is a sinful activity

masturbation is a sinful activity according to most religions thus the

according to most religions thus the

according to most religions thus the hands must not have been to Baia created

hands must not have been to Baia created

hands must not have been to Baia created by a divine creator but in fact possibly

by a divine creator but in fact possibly

by a divine creator but in fact possibly by the devil himself to lead the

by the devil himself to lead the

by the devil himself to lead the humanity and other eights into

humanity and other eights into

humanity and other eights into temptation yeah within seventy was

temptation yeah within seventy was

temptation yeah within seventy was intuitive within a few hours about 70

intuitive within a few hours about 70

intuitive within a few hours about 70 comments had been posted to the article

comments had been posted to the article

comments had been posted to the article most of which were nasty disparaging

most of which were nasty disparaging

most of which were nasty disparaging insulting and downright rude yes folks

insulting and downright rude yes folks

insulting and downright rude yes folks trolls wear lab coats to the controversy

trolls wear lab coats to the controversy

trolls wear lab coats to the controversy spread to sew it to social media with

spread to sew it to social media with

spread to sew it to social media with the creation of two new hashtags hashtag

the creation of two new hashtags hashtag

the creation of two new hashtags hashtag creator gate and hashtag hand of God Lou

creator gate and hashtag hand of God Lou

creator gate and hashtag hand of God Lou try to explain that the word in his head

try to explain that the word in his head

try to explain that the word in his head was actually Jo which can be translated

was actually Jo which can be translated

was actually Jo which can be translated as either nature or creator but by the

as either nature or creator but by the

as either nature or creator but by the fourth of March two days after the first

fourth of March two days after the first

fourth of March two days after the first complaints had been posted online +1 had

complaints had been posted online +1 had

complaints had been posted online +1 had received such a barrage of criticisms

received such a barrage of criticisms

received such a barrage of criticisms that the journal issued a retraction of

that the journal issued a retraction of

that the journal issued a retraction of the article this was a problem this was

the article this was a problem this was

the article this was a problem this was a bad thing

a bad thing

a bad thing because it was a double standard because

because it was a double standard because

because it was a double standard because although it’s true that science can’t

although it’s true that science can’t

although it’s true that science can’t prove the existence of a divine

prove the existence of a divine

prove the existence of a divine intelligent creator it’s also true that

intelligent creator it’s also true that

intelligent creator it’s also true that science can’t prove the existence of an

science can’t prove the existence of an

science can’t prove the existence of an intelligent nature but nobody bats an

intelligent nature but nobody bats an

intelligent nature but nobody bats an eye at the use of the term nature and

eye at the use of the term nature and

eye at the use of the term nature and scientific discourse and that’s

scientific discourse and that’s

scientific discourse and that’s hypocritical and frankly I’m afraid that

hypocritical and frankly I’m afraid that

hypocritical and frankly I’m afraid that if we allow this one perspective to

if we allow this one perspective to

if we allow this one perspective to dominate the conversation then it’s that

dominate the conversation then it’s that

dominate the conversation then it’s that kind of hypocrisy which is going to

kind of hypocrisy which is going to

kind of hypocrisy which is going to further isolate us from our audience who

further isolate us from our audience who

further isolate us from our audience who overwhelmingly and increasingly do

overwhelmingly and increasingly do

overwhelmingly and increasingly do believe in a divine intelligent creator

believe in a divine intelligent creator

believe in a divine intelligent creator you may have heard that religious nuns

you may have heard that religious nuns

you may have heard that religious nuns that is people who are not affiliated

that is people who are not affiliated

that is people who are not affiliated with any particular religion are on the

with any particular religion are on the

with any particular religion are on the rise in America but you may be surprised

rise in America but you may be surprised

rise in America but you may be surprised to hear that they are on the decline

to hear that they are on the decline

to hear that they are on the decline globally by 2050 religious nuns are

globally by 2050 religious nuns are

globally by 2050 religious nuns are expected to decline from 16% of the

expected to decline from 16% of the

expected to decline from 16% of the population to 13% of the world’s

population to 13% of the world’s

population to 13% of the world’s population and even then religious nuns

population and even then religious nuns

population and even then religious nuns does not mean atheists in fact a Pew

does not mean atheists in fact a Pew

does not mean atheists in fact a Pew study of religious nuns in America found

study of religious nuns in America found

study of religious nuns in America found that over two-thirds of religious nuns

that over two-thirds of religious nuns

that over two-thirds of religious nuns said that they believe in God

said that they believe in God

said that they believe in God more than half said that they feel a

more than half said that they feel a

more than half said that they feel a deep connection to nature and the earth

deep connection to nature and the earth

deep connection to nature and the earth more than 1/3 classified themselves as

more than 1/3 classified themselves as

more than 1/3 classified themselves as spiritual though not religious and one

spiritual though not religious and one

spiritual though not religious and one in five said that they pray every day so

in five said that they pray every day so

in five said that they pray every day so yeah our audience and yes even the

yeah our audience and yes even the

yeah our audience and yes even the majority of scientists are willing to

majority of scientists are willing to

majority of scientists are willing to accept that a divine intelligence might

accept that a divine intelligence might

accept that a divine intelligence might be a possibility and yet here we are

be a possibility and yet here we are

be a possibility and yet here we are publicly mocking references to God in

publicly mocking references to God in

publicly mocking references to God in scientific articles well in the same

scientific articles well in the same

scientific articles well in the same breath we’ll talk about science like

breath we’ll talk about science like

breath we’ll talk about science like it’s a god we call our critics and high

it’s a god we call our critics and high

it’s a god we call our critics and high intellectual are we being anti intuitive

intellectual are we being anti intuitive

intellectual are we being anti intuitive anti empathetic astrophysicist Neil

anti empathetic astrophysicist Neil

anti empathetic astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson once observed that a

deGrasse Tyson once observed that a

deGrasse Tyson once observed that a careful reading of older texts shows

careful reading of older texts shows

careful reading of older texts shows that authors invoke divinity only when

that authors invoke divinity only when

that authors invoke divinity only when they reach the boundaries of their

they reach the boundaries of their

they reach the boundaries of their understanding they appeal to a higher

understanding they appeal to a higher

understanding they appeal to a higher power

power

power only when staring into the ocean of the

only when staring into the ocean of the

only when staring into the ocean of the ignorance that’s true but what Tyson

ignorance that’s true but what Tyson

ignorance that’s true but what Tyson overlooks is that every researcher will

overlooks is that every researcher will

overlooks is that every researcher will have to encounter the ocean of their own

have to encounter the ocean of their own

have to encounter the ocean of their own ignorance and it’s the experience of

ignorance and it’s the experience of

ignorance and it’s the experience of that limitation the experience of the

that limitation the experience of the

that limitation the experience of the mysterious which sustains the curiosity

mysterious which sustains the curiosity

mysterious which sustains the curiosity that leads to scientific progress Ming

that leads to scientific progress Ming

that leads to scientific progress Ming Jin lu encountered it when contemplating

Jin lu encountered it when contemplating

Jin lu encountered it when contemplating the perfection of the hands design

the perfection of the hands design

the perfection of the hands design simona Gherardini encountered it when

simona Gherardini encountered it when

simona Gherardini encountered it when contemplating the mystery of genetic

contemplating the mystery of genetic

contemplating the mystery of genetic code redundancy to suggest in fact that

code redundancy to suggest in fact that

code redundancy to suggest in fact that there will one day no longer be a need

there will one day no longer be a need

there will one day no longer be a need to reference the mysterious imposes more

to reference the mysterious imposes more

to reference the mysterious imposes more limits on the future of scientific

limits on the future of scientific

limits on the future of scientific inquiry than does a personification of

inquiry than does a personification of

inquiry than does a personification of that mysterious it suggests that there

that mysterious it suggests that there

that mysterious it suggests that there will be no need for scientist or

will be no need for scientist or

will be no need for scientist or scientific investigation because

scientific investigation because

scientific investigation because everything in the universe will be known

everything in the universe will be known

everything in the universe will be known and that fullness of knowledge will be

and that fullness of knowledge will be

and that fullness of knowledge will be conceived in the mind of each individual

conceived in the mind of each individual

conceived in the mind of each individual that’s not going to happen and so I’m

that’s not going to happen and so I’m

that’s not going to happen and so I’m here asking you to give up your belief

here asking you to give up your belief

here asking you to give up your belief in science because I don’t think that

in science because I don’t think that

in science because I don’t think that science is a very good name for the

science is a very good name for the

science is a very good name for the mysterious science is what we do it’s

mysterious science is what we do it’s

mysterious science is what we do it’s how we interact with the mysterious we

how we interact with the mysterious we

how we interact with the mysterious we can’t let that be forgotten but on the

can’t let that be forgotten but on the

can’t let that be forgotten but on the same hand we also have to accept that

same hand we also have to accept that

same hand we also have to accept that references to divinity are not only

references to divinity are not only

references to divinity are not only normal in scientific discourse sometimes

normal in scientific discourse sometimes

normal in scientific discourse sometimes they’re necessary scientism the belief

they’re necessary scientism the belief

they’re necessary scientism the belief in the supremacy of the scientific

in the supremacy of the scientific

in the supremacy of the scientific method and the rejection of all beliefs

method and the rejection of all beliefs

method and the rejection of all beliefs that cannot be proven empirically is an

that cannot be proven empirically is an

that cannot be proven empirically is an idea that should be debated in

idea that should be debated in

idea that should be debated in philosophical discourse not

philosophical discourse not

philosophical discourse not indiscriminately acted upon within the

indiscriminately acted upon within the

indiscriminately acted upon within the pages of the scientific article we have

pages of the scientific article we have

pages of the scientific article we have to stop presenting science as a deity

to stop presenting science as a deity

to stop presenting science as a deity that wants to dethrone the God of our

that wants to dethrone the God of our

that wants to dethrone the God of our audiences faith we need to invite all

audiences faith we need to invite all

audiences faith we need to invite all faiths into scientific communication we

faiths into scientific communication we

faiths into scientific communication we need to show that science is non

need to show that science is non

need to show that science is non partisan and nondenominational we need

partisan and nondenominational we need

partisan and nondenominational we need to invite everyone to talk about and

to invite everyone to talk about and

to invite everyone to talk about and embrace the mysterious it is after all

embrace the mysterious it is after all

embrace the mysterious it is after all the most beautiful experience we can

the most beautiful experience we can

the most beautiful experience we can have thank you

have thank you

have thank you you

”

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