The hottest Scientific Method Substack posts right now

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Top Science Topics

The Higgs Discovery Did Not Take Place

arg min • 1071 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🔬 Science Physics Statistics Quantum Mechanics Scientific Method
  1. The Higgs boson was theoretically discovered, but many people argue that this claim isn't solid due to complex statistical methods used in the research. It's not just about finding a particle; it's heavily based on probabilities.
  2. A lot of the processes in particle physics rely on trust within scientific communities and committees. They decide what counts as 'discovery' often through agreed conventions rather than direct proof.
  3. Questions about the Higgs boson reflect broader concerns in science regarding accountability. It shows that scientific findings often come down to people, their processes, and their decisions rather than just raw data.

"Wouldn't It Be Cool If..." Science is a Scourge and We Will Regret It

Freddie deBoer • 9344 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🔬 Science Quantum physics Scientific Method AI Research Education
  1. There are tons of resources to learn about science today, but a lot of popular science content can be misleading and full of hype. It's important to be careful about what you believe, especially if you don't have a strong background in the subject.
  2. Many claims in science media, like the existence of alternate dimensions or warp drives, often lack strong evidence. It’s crucial to approach such claims with skepticism rather than taking them at face value.
  3. Real scientific work is usually slow and methodical, rather than exciting breakthroughs. Making science seem too flashy might mislead younger people about what a career in science really involves.

The Anarchist and the Hockey Stick

Experimental History • 14669 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Scientific Method Epistemology Critical Thinking
  1. Science doesn't follow a strict method; different ideas can lead to breakthroughs. This means that sometimes crazy or unconventional ideas can be just as valid as the more accepted ones.
  2. Not all scientific research that follows traditional rules leads to useful discoveries. In fact, some important breakthroughs came from researchers who ignored the 'rules' or took risks.
  3. It's important to question what we think we know about science. The process of discovery often involves challenging old beliefs and being open to new, even silly-sounding theories.

The reproducibility crisis and what it means for the NIH

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 111 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🔬 Science Research Ethics Scientific Method Data Integrity
  1. Many scientific experiments don't give the same results when repeated. It's like trying to bake a cake and it flops even though the recipe seemed good.
  2. Scientists often face pressure to produce results, which can lead to mistakes or even dishonesty in their work. They tend to focus more on getting results than on finding the truth.
  3. There's a big need for change in how science operates. Even if some discoveries are useful, there's a concern about whether research is really delivering reliable results.

The Internet Is Killing Science Too

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 1278 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🔬 Science Scientific Method Philosophy of science Information Technology Cultural critique Epistemology
  1. The internet is transforming or even damaging traditional science, just like it has affected many other institutions over the years. As our way of sharing information changes, the understanding of what science is also shifts.
  2. There seems to be a growing shift from studying real-world objects and events to focusing on models and simulations instead. This might weaken the connection science has with actual reality, making it more about data interpretation than discovering the physical world.
  3. People are increasingly more interested in studying the process of knowledge rather than the world itself. This change indicates a cultural shift where real-world exploration is becoming less relevant compared to understanding ideas and identities.
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Wokeness Poisons Science

Skeptic • 158 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🔬 Science Scientific Method Education Research Ethics Gender Studies Cultural critique
  1. Wokeness is changing how science is done, affecting hiring practices and funding by introducing criteria based on identity rather than merit. This can lead to important scientific work being overlooked if it doesn't align with social justice agendas.
  2. The focus on equality of outcomes instead of opportunities can create flawed policies. It assumes that any inequality in outcomes is solely due to discrimination, ignoring factors like personal choice, abilities, and luck.
  3. Academia is experiencing a shift where free speech and diverse viewpoints are increasingly suppressed. Criticism of woke ideology can lead to severe backlash and censorship, stifling honest discussions in scientific fields.

Revenge of the nerds: Will my new method for assessing vaccine safety put the scientific community to shame?

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 19 May 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccine Safety Public Health Scientific Method Epidemiology Health Policy
  1. A new method suggests a simple way to assess vaccine safety by comparing death rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. This approach could challenge traditional methods used by scientists.
  2. If this method is correct, it could mean that COVID vaccines caused more harm than good, contradicting the idea that vaccines are always safe and effective.
  3. There may be reluctance in the scientific community to accept this method because it comes from someone outside their field, which highlights the challenges of accepting new ideas and changing established beliefs.

2.0 Aristotle, Plato, & Newton

Fields & Energy • 259 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Ancient Philosophy Scientific Method Cognition Metaphysics Epistemology
  1. Aristotle and Plato have very different views on existence. Aristotle believes existence comes first, while Plato thinks consciousness creates reality.
  2. The Aristotelian approach focuses on observing nature to discover principles, while the Platonist starts with foundational ideas and deduces from them.
  3. Both schools of thought are important for science. Sometimes we discover new principles like Aristotle, and other times we analyze and apply ideas like Plato.

KSDRP: Settling Science Fairly. A new method to objectively resolve scientific disputes

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 3 implied HN points • 22 May 25
🔬 Science Scientific Method Data Analysis AI Applications Health Science Public Debate
  1. The Kirsch Scientific Dispute Resolution Protocol (KSDRP) is a new way to settle scientific disagreements logically and fairly.
  2. It involves choosing judges, using real data, and letting chatbots help analyze the information before judges make a final decision.
  3. This method can help answer tough questions, like the impact of COVID vaccines, by measuring outcomes from different groups.

How to Improve Both Scientific Innovation and Reproducibility at Once

The Good Science Project • 14 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🔬 Science Scientific Method Innovation Research Funding Data Integrity
  1. Science struggles with two main issues: not being able to reproduce results and not being as innovative as before. Many studies can't be repeated successfully, which raises concerns about their reliability.
  2. To boost both reproducibility and innovation, it's important to encourage sharing of failed experiments and null results. This would help scientists take risks and avoid only publishing positive outcomes.
  3. Creating 'Red Teams' in science can challenge current beliefs and assumptions. These groups would actively work to test and potentially disprove existing theories, fostering better scientific inquiry.

Science Could Use More Magical Thinking

Eat Shit and Prosper • 159 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🔬 Science Scientific Method Philosophy Innovation Education
  1. Magical thinking can lead to scientific discoveries. Sometimes, you don't need to know everything; you just need to explore and see what happens.
  2. Seeing something unusual can spark curiosity and experimentation. Just like someone might try burning strange rocks, we should be willing to experiment with the unknown.
  3. Both video games and religion encourage us to find meaning in the world. They create a sense of purpose, making it easier to explore and try new things.

Bad Storms, Bad Science

Natural Selections • 12 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🔬 Science Climate Science Environmental Studies Scientific Method Data Analysis Research Ethics
  1. Climate science often relies on models that may not fully prove human actions are the main cause of temperature increases. It's important to question what we assume about these models.
  2. Some media outlets present conclusions about climate change as facts, which can mislead people. They may not explore other possible reasons for climate events.
  3. True science should consider multiple explanations for observations instead of insisting on a single cause. It's essential to keep an open mind in scientific discussions.

Technocrats in Science Skin Suits

Natural Selections • 9 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🔬 Science Scientific Method Postmodernism Technology Education Philosophy
  1. The Fermi Paradox asks why we haven't found other advanced life in the universe, despite many potential planets existing. This raises concerns about the survival of intelligent life and whether it tends to self-destruct.
  2. Postmodernism challenges the idea of objective reality and rationality, which can harm scientific progress. It makes it harder for people to engage with science critically and effectively.
  3. Technocrats can manipulate the science narrative because many people lack a strong understanding of the scientific method. This creates a risk where those in power might misuse science for their own agendas.

How Global Warming Became Scientific Fact

America in Crisis • 19 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🔬 Science Global Warming Scientific Method Atmospheric science Climate change
  1. The idea of global warming caused by human activities becoming a scientific fact evolved through the cultural evolution process of the scientific method, involving observation, hypothesis testing, and theory formation.
  2. Scientists in the 19th century made key discoveries about radiation and emissions that laid the foundation for understanding the greenhouse effect, and later researchers like Arrhenius and Manabe contributed to the development of climate science.
  3. Measurements and research over time have confirmed predictions about rising CO2 levels and global temperature increase, showcasing the progression of global warming from hypothesis to scientific fact.