As I was peeling an orange for my kids lunch this morning I started to think about the peel and flesh, surrounding the seed, protecting it and preparing it for the orange tree’s primary purpose, reproduction. If I recall, the flowers and fruit attracts insects and animals which can help spread the pollen and seeds making reproduction more likely and viola, and orange tree orchard! I think I know this thanks to science.
Someone mentioned on The Daily Show the other night that scientists invented the microscope, which identified the existence of embryos, which before then had not been a scientific discovery and not a religious or political football. So I started to think about all the things we take for granted discovered by scientists or through science and it is pretty much everything. I mean, every-damn thing!
Medicine for my brother to help with diabetes. Thanks science!
Glasses to help me see and drive. Thanks science!
Chemicals to purify our water. Thanks science!
The pumps and plumbing to get the water to my home. Thanks science!
The food we eat, like that orange grown and shipped to Michigan in January, ready to eat. Thanks science!
My mom’s two replacement hips. Thanks science!
The medical and dental professionals that help keep us healthy. Thanks science!
The paper, pen, laptop, tablet, phone and internet I write on. Thanks science!
The car I drive, the clothes I wear, my furnace, roof, and hot-water heater. Thanks science!
The building technology that keeps my house from catching on fire or collapsing on our heads. Thanks science!
The electrical grid that safely gives us light in every room of the house at night. Thanks science!
The energy resources that power everything. Thanks science!
My fridge, washer, dryer, Keurig, microwave oven, television and Xbox. Thanks science!
The veterinary professionals that keep our pets alive and pain free. Thanks science!
The oxygen masks for firefighters. Thanks science!
The radios for police officers. Thanks science!
The sonar, guidance systems and nuclear technology our energy and military uses. Thanks science!
The navigation systems and discovery of America by Europeans. Thanks science!
The air density with altitude and flight. Thanks science!
The trains, trucks and ships that move people and products. Thanks science!
Space and oceanic exploration. Thanks science!
Look, science goes back to the 4th century B.C., and the Scientific Method was first described around the year 1220. Most of the stuff discovered in the most recent 100 years, I don’t even understand, but it has led to some great advances in human living, safety and comfort.
Today, people want to shutter science because they are being manipulated by misinformation from wealthy petroleum interests against climate change, or by greedy religious organizations that dishonestly portray abortion and creationism in order to rile up their donors. Even that beautiful firearm you have was designed and manufactured through science. And the ammunition too.
So come on people, we don’t have to agree on every economic and health policy, but science? Can’t you at least see how everything you do benefits from robust and independent scientific research? If not, then vow off it. Go live in the woods and craft your own tools for hunting and gathering.
Being from Michigan I remember how dominant Kmart was across the entire country. Long story short, Kmart rested on its laurels and fell way behind in merchandising, supply chain and technology. Along came Target (nicer), and Walmart (cheaper), and before it knew what hit them, Kmart was surpassed by its competitors never to recover. When they had the advantage, Kmart did not invest in research and development, science. Well guess what? America has competitors too. China. Russia. Mexico. Japan. India. If I were a leader in any of those countries I would feel great about how America is being made great again. By silencing science. I will tell you one thing, I trust scientists way more than any politician.
I feel like the United States is at a bit of a crossroad. Please, thank a scientist today, and don’t let America become Trumps Kmart.
