Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

CategoryScience

abstract-illustration-of-the-cosmos-on-the-theme-of-the-origin-of-life-in-the-universe-with-stars-comets-and-nebulae-stockpack-adobe-stock
abstract illustration of the cosmos on the theme of the origin of life in the universe with stars, comets and nebulae

Five Trends That Help Us Make Sense of Space Science Today

It’s worth keeping all the biases, hopes, uncertainties, and value judgments in mind when we are told that we should “trust the science.” Read More ›
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think outside the box on school green blackboard . startup  education concept. creative idea. leadership.

Citizen Scientist Forrest Mims Tells His Remarkable Life Story

In his new book “Maverick Scientist,” he details the ups and downs of an extraordinarily productive life in science, with few credentials to hide behind
When Scientific American withdrew its offer of a column, on learning that Mims doubted Darwinism, we all learned what matters most to the science elite. Read More ›
magic-burning-candles-on-glowing-dark-natural-background-mysterious-fairy-scene-witchcraft-ritual-dark-natural-background-samhain-halloween-holiday-concept-stockpack-adobe-stock
Magic burning candles on glowing dark natural background. mysterious fairy scene. witchcraft ritual. dark natural Background. Samhain, Halloween holiday concept

Will Scientists Be Forced to Consider the Occult as Science?

When the World Economic Forum invited a witch to Davos to offer incantations, it was more than just window dressing
Given the growing power of private truth, the future of science which, like religion, represents public truth is more uncertain than some expect. Read More ›
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Coronavirus fraud and covid-19 scams or medical lies and conspiracy theory as a virus scammer spreading false medical information. Burning medical mask. Coronavirus cincept.

Fighting Pseudoscience With Empathy? Try a Little Humility First…

The accusation of “pseudoscience,” under the current science regime, has often become little more than an elite-driven smear against inconvenient data
Sutter would be better off to worry more when things are called pseudoscience because, despite evidence in their favor, they contradict fashionable thinking. Read More ›
surreal-brain-tree-in-a-desolate-land-and-a-determined-person-watering-it-using-a-sprinkling-can-man-splashes-the-green-shrub-using-a-water-pot-taking-care-of-mental-health-human-mind-concept-stockpack-adobe-stock
Surreal brain tree in a desolate land and a determined person watering it using a sprinkling can. Man splashes the green shrub using a water pot, taking care of mental health. Human mind concept

A Biochemist Begins To Sense the Limits of Materialism

William Reville seems both confident and uncertain at the same time that science can crack the problem of consciousness
Materialist science has got about as far as it can go and progress will only be made if we are willing to contemplate non-materialist approaches. Read More ›
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Discarded face mask lying in a city street

Being a Good Scientist Doesn’t Mean Being an Effective Leader

Francis Collins admits that they botched the COVID-19 response.
Collins’s recent admissions and overarching career illustrate why we should resist the current push to impose a regime of rule by experts. Read More ›
aerial-view-of-coal-power-plant-high-pipes-with-black-smoke-moving-up-polluting-atmosphere-at-sunset-stockpack-adobe-stock
Aerial view of coal power plant high pipes with black smoke moving up polluting atmosphere at sunset.

Medical Journal Crosses a Whole New Line

Is blaming commercialism for global warming genuine science? Or just ideology?
The Lancet needs to go back to being a medical journal rather than a propaganda outlet for progressive politics. Read More ›
a-close-up-handshake-between-a-doctor-and-a-patient-in-a-medical-office-with-clean-stockpack-adobe-stock
A close - up handshake between a doctor and a patient in a medical office with clean

Do Scientists Need to Learn to Lie More Believably?

As public trust in science diminishes, one serious proposal that scientists should manipulate our beliefs for our own good
Why should we believe what materialists say anyway? Generally, the sciences whose ultimate message is meaningless void-ism are running aground. Read More ›
Atomic structure. Futuristic concept on the topic of nanotechnology in science. The nucleus of an atom surrounded by electrons on a technological background

Hossenfelder vs Goff: Debate About Electrons Sparks Social Media!

The public has not suddenly become interested in whether electrons exist. Rather, more people are using new media for an increasingly broad array of purposes.
A classic top-down discussion is now taking place on X, an intrinsically bottom-up platform — broadening access while threatening former gatekeepers. Read More ›
a-sharp-pencil-between-two-erasers-on-a-blue-backgroundunfree-creativity-and-censorship-concept-stockpack-adobe-stock
A sharp pencil between two erasers on a blue background.Unfree creativity and censorship, concept

Attempt To Tackle Censorship in Science Begins Well, Falls Flat

Scientists, we are told, censor “for the greater good.” Well yes, but ALL censors say that. Has anyone ever censored explicitly “for the greater harm”?
The proponents of censorship can see to it that even doing research on the topic is seen as not promoting the greater good. Thus reform cannot come from within. Read More ›
genetic-research-and-biotech-science-concept-human-biology-and-pharmaceutical-technology-on-laboratory-background-stockpack-adobe-stock
Genetic research and Biotech science Concept. Human Biology and pharmaceutical technology on laboratory background.

Is Science Slipping Away on Us by Degrees?

Science writers weigh in on misrepresentation of science history, reasons for loss of trust, and whether physics is ripe for a revolution
When Anthony Fauci claimed to “represent science” — a claim no mortal should make — he probably knocked several points off trust in science immediately. Read More ›
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Broadcast your vision. Make thoughts public. Communication and announcements. Activity in social networks. Poll. Brainstorming, new ideas. Feedback. Criticism. Reviews and comments.

Pew: Post-COVID, Trust in Science Dropped Significantly

Most other institutions have taken a hit in trust as well. But what would it take for science in particular to pull out?
Surely people in science need to recommit themselves to first principles like mathematics as a form of truth and evidence as the basis of biology. Read More ›
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Photo taken of a heartbeat on the monitor

Yes, the Film on Near-Death Experiences Is Another “Hated Hit”

As with Sound of Freedom, critics trashed After Death but audiences loved it. And the critics just aren’t keeping up with the science
When even science mags are not trashing near-death researchers, critics who just assume it’s all bunk should really just get out more. Read More ›
senior-man-group-and-running-on-street-together-for-elderly-fitness-and-urban-wellness-with-happiness-happy-retirement-smile-and-runner-club-in-workout-diversity-and-teamwork-in-park-for-health-stockpack-adobe-stock
Senior, man group and running on street together for elderly fitness and urban wellness with happiness. Happy retirement, smile and runner club in workout, diversity and teamwork in park for health

Blue Zone BS: The Longevity Cluster Myth

We need to be reminded how much real science has done for us and how real science is done.
Real science is currently under siege, pummeled by conspiracy nuts and undermined internally by a replication crisis created by sloppy science. Read More ›
tv-news-studio-recording-and-broadcasting-media-in-a-modern-set-design-with-blue-background-for-journalists-generative-ai-stockpack-adobe-stock
TV News studio - recording and broadcasting media in a modern set design with blue background for journalists. Generative AI

How Media Have Helped To Corrupt Science

Traditional popular media, science media, and science journalists have all helped create a situation where we can’t afford to Trust the Science!
Neither popular media nor science media now play a traditional role as evaluators and critics of elite groups’ claims on behalf of a broad public. Read More ›
group-of-people-with-posters-protesting-against-climate-change-outdoors-closeup-stockpack-adobe-stock
Group of people with posters protesting against climate change outdoors, closeup

More Ideological Alarmism in Yet Another Top Journal

Ideology continues to harm the scientific endeavor.
I can’t think of anything more harmful to people’s respect for “science” than hysterical scientists in (say) lab coats. Read More ›
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Tower of Babel, Abstract Painting. Cubism

A New Review for Berlinksi’s Latest Book

Despite the wonders of the scientific enterprise, it is run by humans, and is thus fallible.

By David Klinghoffer By now the authority of science has been thoroughly abused. For that, you can thank scientists themselves, their promoters in government bodies and in university PR departments, and the legions of loyal pilot fish in popular and social media. Something really came undone in the Covid era. Today, the phrase “science says” or “doctors say” prompts a smirk from about half the population, and rightly so. To capture this reality, mathematician David Berlinski in his latest book, Science After Babel, evokes the image of Bruegel’s Tower of Babel — a bloated, vain enterprise, in denial of its own failings. The ancients saw science, and the other arts, as embodied by muses — beautiful young women. We may picture something more Read More ›

3d-rendered-medically-accurate-illustration-of-a-fetus-at-week-17-stockpack-adobe-stock
3d rendered medically accurate illustration of a fetus at week 17

Attack on Top Consciousness Theory Springs From Abortion Politics

If that sounds surprising and unscientific, read on. Pro and con, they make it clear
What’s really interesting is that all these neuroscientists see panpsychism as just as much of a threat to easy abortion as traditional monotheistic ethics is. Read More ›
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Amateur observatories, Interior views, vintage engraving.

“Consensus” Doesn’t Always Mean Science

Real scientific discovery happens within a culture of free speech and open dialogue

Robert J. Marks, host of the Mind Matters podcast, recently put out an article at Newsmax discussing “scientific consensus,” and how that term has been used to bully dissenting scientific viewpoints and even establish political and social policy. Marks writes, Consensus was used as a reason to stifle debate during the COVID crisis. Facebook and YouTube saw opposition to the government narrative as disinformation. Posts against consensus were censored and users were banned. Pre-Musk Twitter had a policy concerning tweets about climate change: “Misleading advertisements on #Twitter that contradict the scientific consensus on #climatechange are prohibited, in line with its inappropriate content policy.” The word pairing “scientific consensus” is a destructive science-stifling oxymoron. -Robert J. Marks, Consensus Doesn’t Equal Science | Newsmax.com Read More ›