Science is a process, and a significant part of that process is trying to disprove pet theories. If Einstein had been forced to operate in today's political environment his theory of relativity might have never gotten off the ground, because it technically proved Newtonian mechanics wrong (even though it's only noticeable in extreme situations).
Well we've gone thru stages of that throughout history to be sure. I'm fairly certain the theories of buoyancy and round earth/solar center were not well received by society.
Observe, hypothesize, test, document, repeat. The endless cycle.
If you find yourself without any interesting observations, test something you already think you understand. It just might surprise you.
On a largely unrelated note, I once had an argument with a coworker about COVID. He fell back on an appeal to authority - "I studied science in college."
I later found out he dropped out after one semester. It would be funny, if it wasn't so infuriating that anyone at all gives him the time of day.
Meanwhile, 75% of my day job is applying the scientific method, and the other 25% is repeating my findings to people who weren't listening the first time or didn't like the conclusions.
Science is finding ideas through information. If you don't do this, you are not a scientist.
Science is a process, and a significant part of that process is trying to disprove pet theories. If Einstein had been forced to operate in today's political environment his theory of relativity might have never gotten off the ground, because it technically proved Newtonian mechanics wrong (even though it's only noticeable in extreme situations).
Well we've gone thru stages of that throughout history to be sure. I'm fairly certain the theories of buoyancy and round earth/solar center were not well received by society.
don't forget experimentation and observation. very important
Observe, hypothesize, test, document, repeat. The endless cycle.
If you find yourself without any interesting observations, test something you already think you understand. It just might surprise you.
On a largely unrelated note, I once had an argument with a coworker about COVID. He fell back on an appeal to authority - "I studied science in college."
I later found out he dropped out after one semester. It would be funny, if it wasn't so infuriating that anyone at all gives him the time of day.
Meanwhile, 75% of my day job is applying the scientific method, and the other 25% is repeating my findings to people who weren't listening the first time or didn't like the conclusions.