I value primary data and theories over science by proxy. Science by proxy (e.g., popular press articles, podcasts, and blogs) are the warmed-over rehashings of primary science. Frequently, it reposting without analysis. Primary data and theories are difficult. They require domain knowledge and a deep reading to gain understanding. Science by proxy on the other hand is addictively easy to produce and consume.
Science by proxy points to actual science but is not actual science. In a similar way, google is links to the web (not the actual web), wikipedia is facts about the world (not the actual world), and facebook is information about your friends (not your actual friends)*.
* I read that keen observation somewhere but am unable to cite it.
No comments:
Post a Comment