Gary Ackerman @garyackerman@qoto.org

“Scientific questions cannot be decided by majority vote in any case.”
― Stephen Jay Gould

“Science literacy” comprises knowledge of nature, understanding of methods, ability to reason, humble skepticism of authority. It seems we could benefit from education that nurtures it rather than demonstrating standards.

Darwin was right.

Yeah... actually, I do judge you by the company you keep.

Classrooms should be spaces and places in which students are challenged to reconsider their assumptions and biases, apply what they have are learning to their lives and to unfamiliar situations, and consider uncomfortable questions and topics.

AI seems to be supporting the conclusion GI is still GO.

Conspiracies are sometimes the explanation, but randomness explains many more events.

Can one be “data-driven” if they lack understanding of statistics?

You know that solar system thing with sun, planets, and all? That is a theory. Funny how few people dismiss it as “just a theory.”

One of the underlying assumptions about technology is that it makes life easier or more efficient. This turns out to be a false assumption.

Diverse groups make better decisions. Deal with it.

“If you thought that science was certain - well, that is just an error on your part.”
― Richard P. Feynman

Learning requires engagement; students must think about the new material. Without that, the outcomes don't matter.

Is data backed up regularly and reliably? How do you know?

I recall reacting with some indignation when my classmates and I asked “how do you spell that?” and my teachers responded “look it up in the dictionary.” We were right.

Digital dictionaries, that allow us to speak words to see spellings, listen to pronunciations, and even practice pronunciations are a vast improvement over paper dictionaries for those who want to be more efficient in learning the words and make them more accurate communicators.

When yur answer is simple, you do not understand the problem.

Root causes . They say ask "why?" fives time and that is the real cause of the problem. The recipe probably doesn't work in all cases, but it does get to the idea that problems are deeper than we admit.

"Eschew Obfuscation" is still the greatest bumper sticker I ever saw.

“But where is everybody?”
I’m thinking Enrico Fremi was talking about everyone else, but he may have included us too.