Science is a noble endeavor pursued in quiet anonymity of the lab and university and often with out great financial rewards. The act of science is based of 500 years of knowledge and methodology.
Publishing books read by millions, being paid to speak at seminars or appearing on Oprah doesn't not validate one's theory or premise.
The validation comes over time by following the scientific methods, stating a hypothesis, developing experiments to challenge the hypothesis, verifying the data, publishing your results, and then subjecting your results to peer review of member of your discipline. The errors and issues found in the peer review are used to refine one thoughts and the whole process starts over.
I find it disheartening and counterproductive when individuals hijack science for their own financial benefit and in the process misinform and mislead people on what science is and does.
New age authors have grabbed on to Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle and postulate that anything is possible. Perhaps. But, making stuff up to make a buck is not science.
Cancer, AIDS, global warming, energy needs and the problems of an expanding population on a finite planet will not be solved by reading ancient text, throwing in some scientific jargon and proclaiming it the new way.
Problems are solved by good smart people working as individuals and groups in our labs and universities.
Myth conveys the human condition. Science changes it.
Believing in things that are not real may make you feel good. However, so will chocolate ice cream and a blow job.
Guess which I prefer.
Matthew
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