March for Science

Fortunately, science isn't about "belief" Esqueleto! But we stand together nonetheless

San Diego, California
4/19/2017
 
Many of you might have heard about the March for Science taking place in Washington DC and other cities around the world this Earth Day, Saturday April 22nd.
 
For those of you already planning on attending, good on you! However, if you’re on the fence about it, please take a moment to consider attending.
 
This is not about “us” as scientists marching to vocalize our frustration. This march isn’t even really about “us”. This demonstration is really for anyone, any human, that is alive today, vocalizing their outrage or simply demonstrating their support for science. There are people in this world who are encroaching on our right to explore, to learn, and expand our understanding. And that is absolutely unacceptable.
 
In almost every facet of our lives, “science” has given us, our species, something. Whatever it is, whatever object you hold in your hand, has a story. Where it came from, and how it got to you, or you to it, is only part of that story. Its history is also part of that story. Your computer/smartphone/tablet is not a single object created out of nothing. No magic wand was waved. It is the culmination of thousands of people hours, from conception to manufacturing. Trial, error, patience, and perseverance. Even the extraction of the resources and the fabrication of its components are part of its history.
 
The history of objects isn’t limited to our technical innovations either. Take, for example, an apple. Keep in mind, modern apples are a product of domestication; human’s way of preferentially selecting traits to either be expressed or suppressed. We now can enjoy apples of seemingly endless varieties any time of the year, in almost every corner of the world. For better or for worse, science enabled this now common-place commodity.

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Where do you draw the line between scientist and… well not-scientist? I personally think that line is pretty fuzzy. Some of us have devoted professional careers to truth-seeking, and often that spills over into our personal lives. Even if you occupy your time with other pursuits, your passions are often fueled by curiosity. And we’re incredibly lucky to live in an age of information and connectivity. So even if “science” isn’t your thing, you still interact on a daily basis with the products, or byproducts, of truth-seeking and innovation.
 
Shouldn’t you feel outraged that people are trying to stifle the ability of others to seek answers to pressing questions? Without science funding, we all lose. Without the uncountable benefits to our species the scholars, academics, researcher, and tinkerers have produced, we wouldn’t be here today. So, shouldn’t you feel outraged that people are trying to stifle innovation, and the pursuit of knowledge? Yes. Yes, you should. Without the right to seek truth and express the results, we all lose.

The PhD comic that inspired this post

So please, if raising your voice  is your thing,  please join us on Saturday in whatever capacity makes you feel comfortable. Let the world know that we stand together.  
 
“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” Ryunosuke Satoro
 
Until next time,
 
-Baron von Urchin

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They say ignorance is bliss. But, as an old friend would say, "better to be proactive than reactive"