Saturday, May 24, 2014
What happens when you DON'T look
Classic example of why "science" needs to be eliminated.
For several decades scientists have been trying to come up with an explanation for the formation of the enigmatic, vegetation-free circles frequently found in certain African grassland regions. Now researchers have tested different prevailing hypotheses as to their respective plausibility.Tested hypotheses? Good! That's science! What are the hypotheses?
The most popular ... these mysterious patches are the work of termites. The insects allegedly nibble away at the grassroots... Other researchers consider hydrocarbons emanating from the depths of the earth being responsible for this phenomenon. Like in a chimney, these gases are presumed to be rising to the surface resulting in the localised loss and disappearance of vegetation. A third fraction of scientists believes self-regulating grass growth...Okay. So these researchers must have LOOKED at the grass-free patches. Must have checked for termites, measured gas emissions, and tested the grass under different conditions of moisture and competition. Right? Wrong. They didn't look at anything, didn't test anything. They just sat at their computers and ran simulations.
“We have adopted an entirely novel approach in this research”, reports this member of the UFZ institute, who by now has been studying fairy circles for more than 15 years. This study is based on the review and evaluation of aerial images, covering representative regions with fairy circle occurrences throughout northwest Namibia. With the aid of these images scientists have analysed for the first time the exact spatial location and distribution of these barren patches within the surrounding landscape...Idiots. Let's replay the most precise definition of science, by GW Carver who was working in the exact same field of plant growth. "Look about you. Take hold of the things that are here. Let them talk to you. You learn to talk to them." Carver did NOT say "Sit on your Kraut ass. Create a luminous intellectual fog. Make up numbers and equations."
Labels: Blinded by Stats, Carver
¶ 2:31 AM
