Consensus Science


In a democracy you can vote without needing to give reasons.


In science you have to give reasons or you aren't allowed to vote.



Let me explain that.

Suppose that I discover by experiment that splomks are vlatikers.  My proof is that by coating a lens with praktonite I ensure that every time I examine a splomk with my lens it sure enough looks like a vlatiker.

Scientists across the world rush to replicate my experiment.  Sure enough: a majority of them report that splomks are indeed vlatikers.  We have a consensus.

A few experiments fail to replicate my results.  This is put down to experimental error.

Spring Forward

Spring forward.
Seize the daylight hour.
We have but too few summers.
All mortals must fall back
in our autumn years.


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Picture via Wikimedia, public domain, courtesy of P. Ingerson

Here We Go Round The Binary



If this little piece of whimsy helps educators in any way,
that will make me very happy.


Here We Go Round The Binary


verse 0000
nothing.

nothing.

nothing-nothing twice.
nothing here - move on,
that's my advice.

verse 0001
oh oh oh one
that makes one.
one and three nothings
now wasn't that fun?

verse 0010
oh oh one oh
spells out two -
two and three nothings
look right to you?

verse 0011
oh oh one one
now we have three -
a two and a one -
add them up and see.

For the sake of argument


Argument - a discussion for the purpose of making something clear.

Sake - benefit.


To introduce an idea 'for the sake of argument' does not mean bringing up an idea to provoke a flaming row.  It means introducing an idea into a discussion for the betterment of the process of making something clear.

Is that clear now?

Right! I don't want to hear any more arguments about it.


Credit:

Tip of the hat to the letter Aitch