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Author Topic:   Global Warming and other "controversies": how to make up your mind as a layman?
cavediver
Member (Idle past 3643 days)
Posts: 4129
From: UK
Joined: 06-16-2005


Message 8 of 15 (495165)
01-21-2009 12:01 PM
Reply to: Message 7 by Blue Jay
01-21-2009 10:11 AM


Re: My personal reactions to the arguments presented
quote:
I have a BS in biochemistry (what are YOUR credentials? Please take a couple of science classes (not engineering, but science)
A BS in biochemistry doesn't make somebody a biochemist, anyway: it makes them a person who has taken a number of biochemistry classes... he's still a layperson, in my opinion.
Exactly - anyone who just has a (science) degree has never had the honour of that post-graduation kick-in-the-balls when you realise that despite your three or more years of hard study, you know virtually NOTHING about the subject Those who do not progress to graduate study live in ignorant bliss of this bombshell, and tend to make hilarious comments like that above.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 7 by Blue Jay, posted 01-21-2009 10:11 AM Blue Jay has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 9 by kuresu, posted 01-21-2009 12:45 PM cavediver has replied
 Message 10 by Blue Jay, posted 01-21-2009 1:05 PM cavediver has replied

  
cavediver
Member (Idle past 3643 days)
Posts: 4129
From: UK
Joined: 06-16-2005


Message 11 of 15 (495187)
01-21-2009 1:33 PM
Reply to: Message 9 by kuresu
01-21-2009 12:45 PM


Re: My personal reactions to the arguments presented
And then, even after grad school and that shiny new diploma, I suspect it takes years of actually working in the field to become truly knowledgeable.
Yep, and then only "truly knowledgeable" in one or a few small specialist areas! Depressing, isn't it

This message is a reply to:
 Message 9 by kuresu, posted 01-21-2009 12:45 PM kuresu has not replied

  
cavediver
Member (Idle past 3643 days)
Posts: 4129
From: UK
Joined: 06-16-2005


Message 12 of 15 (495188)
01-21-2009 1:40 PM
Reply to: Message 10 by Blue Jay
01-21-2009 1:05 PM


Re: My personal reactions to the arguments presented
I've only just seen that you're Bluejay!! I was wondering who this Mantis is
Maybe I should stay silent then, because, as of right now, I only have a BS myself
Not at all - as you said, the most important thing is to be aware of being only a layman, yet striving for much more. As much as I like having a few areas of expertise, there is no greater thrill than riding a near-vertical learning curve as a complete novice - that's why I always seek out the best in any field I enter, and learn as much as I can from them. They show you just how high the bar is - the higher it is, the more you have to stretch yourself to reach it. Most "experts" have rather low bars, and once they reach them, they have no reason to push further...

This message is a reply to:
 Message 10 by Blue Jay, posted 01-21-2009 1:05 PM Blue Jay has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 14 by Blue Jay, posted 01-21-2009 2:39 PM cavediver has not replied

  
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