One of the guiding principles of science is that a scientific principle is considered demonstrated when it can be reproduced by anyone else with the same equipment, regardless of their preconceptions. This pretty much defines "objective". It would be very wrong to suggest that much of science is not objective. If it is not objective, it is by definition, not science. The beauty of an objective test of a kayak is that it is objective. The drag produced by a kayak loaded with a certain mass and moved at a certain speed is not dependant on who paddles it. While how fast that kayak can go is dependant on the paddler, by knowing the relative performance of different boats, the paddler can accurately predict how he will perform in it. Science is not journalism. While they attempt to serve similar purposes, explaining why things happened in the past, only science can accurately predict what will happen in the future. At best, journalism can only suggests possible future trends, but it rarely even does that accurately. Journalism can be good even if it is not objective, science can not. >John, I think you sort of missed my point. This could take us far afield, >which is not my intention. I was simply trying to point out that many >people -- including most journalists and many scientists -- recognize that >"objectivity" in human endeavors is often, if not always, a myth. > Nick Schade Guillemot Kayaks 824 Thompson St, Suite I Glastonbury, CT 06033 (860) 659-8847 Schade_at_guillemot-kayaks.com http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/ >>>>"It's not just Art, It's a Craft!"<<<< *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Aug 18 2000 - 07:39:38 PDT
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