For some time, I have been wanting to write. As this is the easiest way to reach more people, effectively. And I believe, I need to share my ideas to have a satisfactory Life. There are so many topics to share. In terms of ideas, opinions and plain old advices.
I began some time back - blogging; but, because of the time consumed in my hectic professional Life, couldn't continue as much as I liked. Will try to put more time from now on. Even this current spur to write now, rose out of a dodgy situation. I have seen news and views about 'GOD Particle' and some of the comments, which dangled on the dangerous position of having the wrong conclusion without working out all the data lying in front.
Basically this is about the age old topic of 'Science Vs Religion'. But, more about why these scientific experiments like LHC are necessary.
WARNING:
Please read with your eyes and mind open. If you do so, at the end of reading this article, this may happen,
You may have doubts now;
Or you will have more clarity.
Let us have the clear definitions here.
Religion - A systematic position of humans (and 'animals' in Indian movies) believing in a 'perceived' super power(s), wherein this(these) super power(s) has(have) the ability to create, destroy, decide, control, judge anything and everything. They love, like, fear, worship and wonder this super power. They (most of them) sincerely believe, this divine super power is all powerful, kind, fair, benevolent and purposeful. They don't have any evidence to support their stance. Like one guy said about religion, "There is a reason it is called faith....". And just look up at the dictionary for the word - Faith. No matter how much you sugar-coat it or mystify it, this is the simple and plain explanation for Religion.
Science - A system/method to observe, collect data, theorize, test, prove, verify, and challenge. If this initial observation stands the challenge, then it will become a fact. No waxing of lyrical about 'Truth'. In Science, there is only room for facts and ideas. Either you know it, or you don't.
"Unlike Religion, Science doesn't claim to have answers for everything". This is the argument twisted by 'theists' to make a third party feel as if 'Science' is a thing, a stance or even worse, some organization. NO. Science is just a method, and those who follow the method, are scientists. Those who live their life are simply living their life according to scientific method. Don't think that Scientists are the ones who wear white coats and work inside a closed laboratory. Any person who lives life in this method will have a fulfilling life - consciously. Here's the method a typical scientific person adopts,
1) Observe the information in front of Him/Her.
2) Check for past historic data from authenticated authority, or a source He/She trusts - for convenience, as this saves time.
3) Theorize a new idea if not present already.
4) Put the theory to test without bias, prejudice and lot of intellectual effort courageously.
5) Arrive at a conclusion, and verify the results by means available. If so, call it a "FACT". Else, simply say, "I DON'T KNOW".
6) Challenge the "FACT"
7) Collect more data and corroborate the previously declared FACT and put it to test again.
This cycle goes on forever. This is the reason, a honest person who approaches Life in a Scientific way, doesn't have any shame in admitting, "I don't know", and doesn't fear the unknown. For Him/Her, understanding the unknown is the greatest purpose available so far. There's no other purpose to existence known so far. All the defined purposes so far, are from various religions, each created to appease the 'men' who created those very religion.
I am not blindly claiming that 'Religion' is bad. I systematically categorize it as a bad influence on 'Human thinking'. There's a beautiful term I had heard in a documentary, where 'Carlos Frenk' said, "Science is about questioning, reasoning and checking for repeatability, with intellectual rigour". I have known and practiced 'Intellectual Honesty' to my self thoughts. But, that was the first time I had heard that word - "Intellectual Rigour". Religion, I bet my Life on it, would not stand the 'Intellectual Rigour'.
There's a dodgy position in between. They call themselves 'Agnostics'. They neither accept nor reject Religion. They say, 'Something might be there'. They may seem like a nice person to a theist, but I call them 'Intellectually lazy'. They simply don't put the necessary effort to arrive at any meaningful conclusion.
Now, to the topic this blog tries to address. Many people think that, Scientific experiments are just a waste of tax payer's money. They think that, expensive set-ups like LHC is a huge burden to Economy, where detection of 'particles' doesn't mean anything to common man. Its not going to feed the dying people in Africa. Its not going to solve Economic crisis, et al.
Wrong. There are statistical data available, regarding how much money spent on 'Closed Laboratory science projects' are being recovered back into the Economy. How experiments and research made on any field is used for some other civilian usage, which makes life more easy, convenient and safe. The examples are huge. The very thing which you are using now - 'Internet' came out as a by-product of multiple lab projects. All the essential and entertainment stuff we use, came out from a idea born in a laboratory.
What does it matter, if the SUN goes around the Earth or the Earth goes around the SUN? How does it affect your Life? Geocentric model or Big-Bang theory..... does it have any positive impact on one's daily life?
Why does it matter the number of electrons, protons and neutrons in any atom and the search for any other sub-atomic particle, when everything is made by GOD..?? What is GOD made of then..??
Why waste money on medicine and medical research, if its the divine plan for you to have disease..?? Why would you want to prolong your and your Loved ones existence in this planet Earth, when He/She can reach GOD and attain immortality in Heaven, if You, He or She has lived your life religiously correct.
Why is it that you, He and She has different opinions about the same religious doctrine you follow, where any mutually respectful disagreement between a group of scientists is termed by you as a conflict?
Why is 'Stem cell research' bad? Is 'cloning' Godly or Devilish?
Why are space and marine experiments termed as futile exercises, and a religious pilgrimage seen fruitful..?? Why should Governments provide all infrastructure for pilgrims, and why is this not seen as a waste..??
Why should Government give tax cuts to religious money flow..?? What way does it help a person who reject your religion and follow some other..??
How come priests live in Palaces and scientists/technologists who work on these kind of experiments live like a regular joe..?? Why would you not bother about someone who uses the available technical knowledge to create something non-essential like an Digital Player and make Him a multi-millionaire..?? Why is money spent on subsidies for these companies by developing countries seen as a 'social improvement plan' where money spent on research is seen as a drain on economy..??
It may seem complicated. But, I am ready to explain you. I will put my best effort to help you understand. When I say, I Love You, I mean the best for you. I think about what is the best I can give. TO GIVE. But, there's a catch. How much are you open? Its not about agreeing or disagreeing. Are you ready to listen..?? Or, are you afraid of change..?? Worried about moving out of your comfort zone..?? Are you bold enough to accept the FACT..?? Do you have the intellectual courage to question everything..?? Question yourself..?? If so, then repeat after me,
"I THINK...."
