Comments on Science In Action: The Top 10 Science Discoveries . . . Ever!

i vote for the general discovery that we are molec...

2006-03-21T02:26:00.000Z

i vote for the general discovery that we are molecular machines. 10^23 molecules per handful arranged in about 8 or 10 hierarchical levels. this allows us to for the first time imagine actually building something that acts like living creatures. it allows us to imagine that flesh is complex enough to make a soul.

by the way, i think that various aspects of the scientific method, ARE scientific discoveries.

While the double-blind method is an important cont...

2006-02-06T08:24:00.000Z

While the double-blind method is an important contribution to investigational technique, it's not a scientific discovery in and of itself.

I'm also concerned that the Watson-Crick discoveries are not preceded by any other work in chemistry, although I'm not qualified to make nominations.

I'd further suggest that geologic iniformitarianism is appropriately included, since it's not only the basis for all modern geology, but also an essential steppingstone in the development of paleontology, anthropology, archeology, and, of course, evolutionary theory.

I don't know if it should replace any of the top t...

2006-02-01T18:34:00.000Z

I don't know if it should replace any of the top ten (maybe Watson-Crick and doublehelix DNA), but I've seen some really strong arguments for the concept of double-blind experiments.

Orac (http://oracknows.blogspot.com/) has the best explanations I've seen for the importance of this experimental method. My too-brief summary: it allows the determination of causation given suggestions of correllation, and controls for both observer and subject bias.

The fact that some quacks claim it doesn't apply to their "results" speaks volumes about its efficacy.

Obviously, this comes after the development of probability theory and statistics, since it's built on those.

Nice summary, by the way. It's good to see this laid out in a clear timeline.

I think Turing should replace geologic uniformitar...

2006-01-20T16:18:00.000Z

I think Turing should replace geologic uniformitarianism. It's cool that they were able to put forth such strong evidence for the fact that the earth is so old, but I think the immeasurably huge impact that computers and computer science have had on the lives of so many people outweighs knowing that the earth is really really old. The very way of life all first world countries is based on computer technology, and those countries whose people don't have extensive access to computers still rely on the output of and support from countries that do. So ultimately the whole world would be vastly different without computers and their many uses.