Anti intellectualism directed against science.

[OldWiseGuy]

So you know more about certain aspects of YOUR
personal health than anyone else.
So do the rest of us.
Was there some larger point you were wanting to convey?

The larger point is that knowledge isn't much use in the practical sense if not put into practice.

 

[Astrid]

The larger point is that knowledge isn't much use in the practical sense if not put into practice.

I think we all knew that already.
Of course basic research generally does not
have any known or anticipated practical use,
much of it maybe never will.
I trust you won't need examples of the value of
basic resesrch.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I think we all knew that already.
Of course basic research generally does not
have any known or anticipated practical use,
much of it maybe never will.
I trust you won't need examples of the value of
basic resesrch.

I'm not privy to much basic research. However if a useful product or service is the result I applaud that.

 

[Astrid]

I'm not privy to much basic research. However if a useful product or service is the result I applaud that.

Ok Bud, its about time ya gave me something to argue with!
My full 4ft 11.75 inches of might is ready to take ya on!!

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Ok Bud, its about time ya gave me something to argue with!
My full 4ft 11.75 inches of might is ready to take ya on!!

I'm going out on a limb and guess that you and I are in general agreement about things that I deem most important to know and practice, as well as the results of mismanaging these things.

In no particular order:

Health
Family and friends
Work
Community citizenship
National citizenship
Wealth
Faith (if applicable)

 

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

The larger point is that knowledge isn't much use in the practical sense if not put into practice.

That's true by definition...

 

[OldWiseGuy]

nm

 

[durangodawood]

It's the Salem Hypothesis at work.

Engineering can survive some pretty severe intellectual compartmentalization. Its a hardy breed that way.

 

[sjastro]

History has shown the acquisition of knowledge and putting it to use can involve considerable time lag.
As I mentioned in an earlier post physics was in a mess in the early 20th century over blackbody radiation.
The solution quantum mechanics had little practical use at the time.

Since I have been giving engineers a bad rap fast forward to the 1950s when William Shockley won the Nobel Prize in physics for his work in the development of transistors.
Shockley was both a physicist and engineer and used his engineering skills to find a practical application of quantum mechanics (quantum electrodynamics to be exact).
This is where the compliments for Shockley end.
He was a racist probably a consequence of being an engineer.

 

[SelfSim]

I deem most important to know and practice ...
Health
Family and friends
Work
Community citizenship
National citizenship
Wealth
Faith (if applicable)

I was following you until I got to the word: 'citizenship'.
Out of interest (and in particular) what do you mean by 'knowing community and national citizenship' there?
(I guess once one 'knows' something like that, then one can 'practice' it, but the 'knowing' part is perplexing. How do you, as an individual, 'know' what that is?).

 

[SelfSim]

History has shown the acquisition of knowledge and putting it to use can involve considerable time lag.
As I mentioned in an earlier post physics was in a mess in the early 20th century over blackbody radiation.
The solution quantum mechanics had little practical use at the time.

Since I have been giving engineers a bad rap fast forward to the 1950s when William Shockley won the Nobel Prize in physics for his work in the development of transistors.
Shockley was both a physicist and engineer and used his engineering skills to find a practical application of quantum mechanics (quantum electrodynamics to be exact).
This is where the compliments for Shockley end.
He was a racist probably a consequence of being an engineer.

Do you think, perhaps, that (qualified) engineers' exposure to the intellectual challenges presented by Physics during their formal education, may have resulted in some kind of retaliatory response to the intellect needed to understand it?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I was following you until I got to the word: 'citizenship'.
Out of interest (and in particular) what do you mean by 'knowing community and national citizenship' there?
(I guess once one 'knows' something like that, then one can 'practice' it, but the 'knowing' part is perplexing. How do you, as an individual, 'know' what that is?).

Citizenship means that you realize that you are part of the larger community and so have responsibilities to support and enhance community life. This can manifest by being a good neighbor, obeying the laws, maintaining your property, volunteering or making charitable donations, supporting local businesses, supporting and being active in your church, taking a productive stand on local political issues, if a parent being involved in the local school system, etc.

 

[SelfSim]

Citizenship means that you realize that you are part of the larger community and so have responsibilities to support and enhance community life. This can manifest by being a good neighbor, obeying the laws, maintaining your property, volunteering or making charitable donations, supporting local businesses, supporting and being active in your church, taking a productive stand on local political issues, if a parent being involved in the local school system, etc.

Hmm .. a textbook, (and quite intellectual), response there.

Funny how 'knowing what that term means' has has soo much variance across any given community (and causes so much strife thesedays).

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Hmm .. a textbook, (and quite intellectual), response there.

Funny how 'knowing what that term means' has has soo much variance across any given community (and causes so much strife thesedays).

I don't think people misunderstand the meaning of citizenship, they just have no use for it.

 

[Astrid]

I'm going out on a limb and guess that you and I are in general agreement about things that I deem most important to know and practice, as well as the results of mismanaging these things.

In no particular order:

Health
Family and friends
Work
Community citizenship
National citizenship
Wealth
Faith (if applicable)

Family
Community
Country
Friends
Health
Wealth
Work

 

[Astrid]

I don't think people misunderstand the meaning of citizenship, they just have no use for it.

That will be your national downfall.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

That will be your national downfall.

God has pulled the plug and we're circling the drain.

 

[Astrid]

God has pulled the plug and we're circling the drain.

You didn't need any god- help on that, go ahead
and grab the credit.

 

[sjastro]

Do you think, perhaps, that (qualified) engineers' exposure to the intellectual challenges presented by Physics during their formal education, may have resulted in some kind of retaliatory response to the intellect needed to understand it?

I'm not sure what you are trying to say here.
If it's about Shockley's behaviour perhaps biographies on him gives some clues.
In the 1920's there was the Genetic Studies of Genius which traced the progress of gifted children into adulthood.
Shockley was a candidate child but failed to make the cut as his measured IQ was too low.

Who knows maybe his failure to make the grade led to deep psychological scarring.
It might explain Shockley's obsession with IQ, such a such voluntary sterilization of people with IQ's of less than 100, to the extreme idea of whites being genetically superior to blacks on an intellectual level.
Also what better way to prove the researchers got it wrong by winning the Nobel prize in physics.
Whatever the case he was a nasty individual.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

You didn't need any god- help on that, go ahead
and grab the credit.

Now now, don't be so skeptical.