I found this weeks assignments to be rather interesting! I have always struggled to understand the parts of cells and the concepts of biology. As I read the blog assignment for this week, I thought it would be rather straight forward. But the more I researched, the more I found it difficult to seperate fact from fiction. My example of a pseudoscience is going to be the story of "Nessie" the Lock Ness monster. This site seemed pretty adimit that the monster truly exisists, but I am highly skeptical :) Check it out!http://www.nessie.co.uk/. This is an extreme example I know, but it is interesting to see how many people view this as a valid sorce. If I am going to believe in something, it needs to be based on facts, evidence, and have a basic knowledge of the subject. Otherwise, it would not be a true belief.
This fact however is most likely to be a pseudoscience but it raises some good questions. It doesn't directly relate to science but... I heard the fact a while back that people who sing while driving are better drivers. http://community.tasteofhome.com/forums/p/214335/2853087.aspx The article says that 63% of drivers sing while driving and have not been in an accident in over four years.
I believe that it is essential to understand fact from fiction as we look at science, but also as we go through life. There could be a chemical reaction that happens while people drive and sing... who am I to say it is fact or fiction? What is your opinions. Your advice and comments would be much appreciated.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I think that you are right, it is very important to see the differences between fact and fiction when we are looking at science... really it is important in all aspects of our life. As for the singing drivers are safer drivers... I am going to have to say that there is not enough evidence to support that claim. I looked at the blog you referred to and it mentions the stats came from a British poll, but it doesn't say how many were polled or who was polled (was it people that have never been in a accident, or have they been in accidents but now that they sing while they drive they have not been in an accident?). I also did a goggle search and couldn't find anything of importance that related to that claim. I think you nailed this one as definitely being pseudoscience. Although... I sing sometimes and I haven't been in an accident... huh;)
ReplyDeletePeople who sing while driving are better drivers?! Really? I sing sometimes while driving, but I haven't been in an accident before. I definately think that that is a bogus idea. I wish it were true though, maybe instead of people being on the phone or texting while they're driving will sing instead and there will be less accidents!
ReplyDeleteYou are funny Becky! Although you used some extreme examples the point was well stated. I think people read into these things because sometimes they are just desperate to find a solution even if it is completely wrong. I think we should be skeptical of newer ideas and how they are founded. While some can challenge our knowledge of certain subjects I just think that claims are still claims and it isn't wrong to check them out thoroughly. Also, I sing while I drive and have not been in an accident in four years. This is interesting...Maybe it is because I am happy when I sing and therefore am less likely to have road rage? That is my theory. Overall, I like the way you think :)
ReplyDeleteYou have to be careful not to link correlation with coincidence when looking at how things might be related. Your example of singing while driving makes you a better driver - How is it tested? Is their something else that these drivers did that made them a "better driver" and they just happened to be singing? Like breathing (singing makes you breathe deeply) I liked your explanation that maybe singing makes you happy and less likely to have road rage...
ReplyDeleteI haven't put my daughter in official music classes yet. However, when my brother babysits her, she plays the drums (and he says she actually keeps a rhythm with him while he plays the guitar) She seems to be musically inclined like my family.
ReplyDelete