Science Memes

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A place for majestic STEMLORD peacocking, as well as memes about the realities of working in a lab.

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If you are here asking: "Is this a science meme?"

Probably, yes. We use the Dawkins definition of meme: a replicating idea, not just an image macro with a fact on it. A good post here doesn't need to teach you something. It needs to make you ask something: who, what, where, when, and especially why or how.

Science isn't a filing cabinet of facts, it's a conversation. For example, a photo of an eel or other localized wildlife counts because most people never see one, and wonder is the first step of inquiry. A car meme counts if it makes you curious about what's under the bonnet. If you want to talk about something you noticed in the world, chances are someone else wants to talk about it too.

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Big Science (mander.xyz)

submitted 2 years ago by fossilesque@mander.xyz to c/science_memes@mander.xyz

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[–] KredeSeraf@lemmy.world 31 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I think it's more about the spirit and legitimacy of the disagreement. "I checked the numbers and stuff seems fishy" is very different than "Facebook told me essential oils cure cancer and doctors are lizards harvesting our brains". Discussion with people who are also seeking the truth helps. Denial of a point you don't like because Infowars says otherwise doesn't.

[–] Kalcifer@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Keep in mind that dismissing an argument as unworthy, is not an argument for why it is unsound. Furthermore, refusing to engage someone's argument also doesn't help in pointing them on a better path.

[–] KredeSeraf@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Dismissing an argument for lack of substantive foundation is absolutely an argument for why it is unsound. And I am all for pointing someone on another path. Unfortunately the vast, vast majority of people I have encountered in this vein have had this problem with doubling down when presented with evidence contrary to their belief.

People living with those kind of delusions, that evidence proving their point wrong doesn't at least warrant a second look, cannot be reasoned with. I reserve my efforts for people with any level of an open mind. Disagreement can be productive, but only when people engage honestly.

[–] Kalcifer@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 years ago

Dismissing an argument for lack of substantive foundation is absolutely an argument for why it is unsound.

Sure, the argument could be unsound, but do note that that doesn't necessitate that the conclusion is also false. That would effectively be an argument from fallacy. Also that isn't exactly what I was trying to say — I was talking about how some people avoid engaging with certain classes of people because they don't think that their arguments are worthy — e.g. flat earthers.

Unfortunately the vast, vast majority of people I have encountered in this vein have had this problem with doubling down when presented with evidence contrary to their belief.

This is indeed an issue. I'm not entirely sure what its cause is. Perhaps it's fear of ridicule, or ostracization? I think the best grassroots method to fix it would be teaching and advocating for proper critical thinking skills.

People living with those kind of delusions, that evidence proving their point wrong doesn’t at least warrant a second look, cannot be reasoned with.

Dealing with irrationality is a tricky thing. How does one reason with someone who is unreasonable? I personally don't think abandoning them is the best solution, but, that being said, I also don't have an alternative.