science is not bullshit!!

[swankantihero]

I'm a little angry at the way some law students (and, often, the public at large) view scientific research with regard to validity, evidence, etc. We were specifically discussing the sociological research cited in Brown v. Board of Ed regarding the (detrimental) effects of segregation on both black and white children. Our professor was of the

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[hisswarthiness]

I wouldn't even be so quick to write off anti-drug campaigning as "harmless." One thing I learned when working for a nonprofit is that the second law of thermodynamics applies to government money as much as anything else. Money that goes to ineffective public projects is always money that could and should be going elsewhere, it always means there's some project that's being neglected. As freaky/hilarious as it is to put up big, ominous signs that say BELIEVE all over the place, the drug-addled youth of Baltimore would probably benefit more from, say, a neighborhood counselling service. Don't know the specifics of Baltimore's situation, just an example that came to mind. But yea, assessing what public projects to invest in is just one of many reasons why motherfuckers need to respect the scientific method.

Yr post reminded me - about a year ago, I vented in this post about a similar feeling of disgust and frustration at this country. Respect for science (as a discipline, by no means in every application) is a respect for logic, which is a necessary precondition for waking up every day and moving through the world.

[swankantihero]

no, you're right - i guess i meant direct v. indirect harms.

also, can we make shirts that say "motherfuckers need to respect the scientific method"?

yr post is good, too - i remember reading it but didn't realize we're kind of both looking @ different parts of the elephant, you know?

[hisswarthiness]

Word, you know those LISTEN TO BOB MARLEY tshirts? We could make, I don't know, LISTEN TO RENE DESCARTES shirts or something.