The 10 Most Ridiculous Scientific Studies

Indy51 said:

From the Ripley's Believe It Or Not files:

http://time.com/4026473/ridiculous-science-studies/

And they wonder why people are becoming cynical about the wonders of science?

I put it in the jokes and humour section, even though it's fact not fiction

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CatLadyNZ said:

Studies like these may look "d'uh" but they are each needed and important in their own way, as part of a wider process of using research findings to improve services and make policies. That's how the scientific process works.

I'm curious as to your thoughts on why some people are cynical about science? The phones and computers we are using were developed using research, some of which probably looked "d'uh" when viewed in isolation. Are people cynical about science also cynical about phones and computers?

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Jaylee said:

Phones are great tools for communication, but let's face it they can be abused in cunning ways.. Prank & cold calls..?
In a simalar vein with computers, the Internet is full of dodgy science. Indeed even the good science is "cut & paste" selectively, then used in parts to back up wild claims & inapropriate advice...

I can understand the cynicism...

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CatLadyNZ said:

Me too, which is why I believe in assessing what I read and finding the primary sources rather than the press releases and third hand commentary.

But Indy's comment didn't make a distinction between different types of science writing, it just said people are cynical about science, implying all of science. That's a big part of the world to be cynical about. I'm interested in understanding why she said that.

And there's nothing wrong with cynicism IMO - my family and friends joke about my cynicism on some subjects. But science is such a valuable tool in our world. Just trying to understand, that's all.

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Jaylee said:

Indeed science is a valuable tool.. New methods of research is always being developed with astounding advances..

One day science will reach the point where what we thought we knew through old research findings was wrong..

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CatLadyNZ said:

Indeed, and that is happening all the time. Our information is only as good as the research we have done up to that point.

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