A quick science lesson for the #ScienceMustFall idiots

[Kevin Lancaster]

A quick science lesson for the #ScienceMustFall idiots

Some #FeesMustFall student leaders are calling for the scrapping of “Western science”, and to “restart science from an African perspective” – here are the facts.

 

[Necropolis]

Don't come here with you logic, and rational thinking.

 

[Pilgrim]

Don't come here with you logic, and rational thinking.

Yup, those are western concepts. Take them away before they throw ligthning at you!

 

[Petec]

I wonder if Danie believes in science?

 

[Skerminkel]

Nice write-up MyBB.

Gravity is not a Western invention by Newton. Some of the earliest descriptions of the force of gravity came from early mathematician-astronomers, such as the Indian mathematician-astronomer Aryabhata.

Only gravity was never invented. It was always there. Newton was just the first person to record his observations in an accessible manner and happened to be in the right country at the right time.

Devising a method to use gravity (e.g. generate hydropower) is an invention.

 

[DanDango]

She went on to describe how people in KwaZulu-Natal believe that black magic can be used to “send lightning” to strike someone. “Can you explain that science?” she asked.

 

[skimread]

Is she even a B.Sc student or just a BA student who feels she has the right to be triggered by Western science being taught at the same university

 

[Suspect99]

Is she even a B.Sc student or just a BA student who feels she has the right to be triggered by Western science being taught at the same university

Well she said she's not doing any science at campus

 

[Bernie]

I dont think these people should be called "students".

 

[Geoff.D]

The start of the new "Dark Age"? Pun intended.

 

[skeptic_SA]

Kind of puts Zuma's intellect into perspective. Imagine these POS without tertiary assistance...

 

[Oculate]

Only gravity was never invented. It was always there. Newton was just the first person to record his observations in an accessible manner and happened to be in the right country at the right time.

Quoted for truth

Gravity is a phenomenon

Aristotle had a theory of gravity

He posited that all things are made of Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Moreover, he posited that all things move towards their Natural Place: for Earth and Water, that Natural Place was in the center of the universe.

Then Newton had a theory...

Newton posited that all things with mass attract each other with a force given by a specific formula. (A testable formula, no less!) That theory dominated for the next three hundred years or so.

It's important to note, by the way, that the dominance of Newton's theory wasn't out of reverence to Newton, or that he was fancy, or that he had a really good publicist. The theory dominated because it best explained all the available data

Until Einstein added his theory (General Theory of Relativity), this theory explained what Aristotle/Newton's theories couldn't and we haven't had a more recent theory yet

So we keep looking for new theories of gravity. String theory, loop quantum gravity, and other exotic stuff. General Relativity still plays a prominent role in our many theories of gravity -- it's still the best thing we have to explain large scale stuff like stars and galaxies. But when it comes to small scale stuff, General Relativity is just the last outpost on the way to the frontier.

Sauce

 

[Geoff.D]

Good let's fund this PC woman to undertake lightning research in KZN in the lightning season.

Suggested methodology:

(1) Collect a group of your fellow students on a hill close to Vryheid in a lightning storm. Give them all Umbrellas (you don't want them to get wet now do you!)

(2) Use witchcraft to prevent them from being struck by lightning

(3) Report back on the outcome.

 

[grok]

Maybe they'd like to give some examples of this pure African version of science they're promoting? I for one would like to see some evidence before dismissing the idea out of hand.

 

[Pavan]

What a joke. Is this person really a human being?

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

Why waste time, trying to teach a lesson, to those who are not capable of learning it, never mind, understanding what you have taught them?

 

[saor]

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[b166er]

This is textbook Dunning–Kruger effect.

 

[Oculate]

Maybe they'd like to give some examples of this pure African version of science they're promoting? I for one would like to see some evidence before dismissing the idea out of hand.

/inb4 they use Rain Dances as legitimate African science

 

[HBee]

Just the other day julias was complaining that lightning is a racist phenomenon as it killed more black people. While we suspected that this not be true, it has now been verified to in fact be a product of black science and therefore not racist.

To me it seems that decolonize mean to take existing accomplishments and attribute them to black people, so that black racists can more easily identify with the scientific accomplishments.