By: Dr Juan Carlos Algaba
Since the dawn of civilization, humankind has sought to understand its existence and place in the universe. Scientists are essentially children who have retained their passion for discovery, continuing to ask questions and seek answers as they grow older.
Science, research, and critical thinking have been our tools in this quest. The Copernican revolution repositioned Earth from the center of the universe to just one of many objects orbiting the Sun. Newton’s law of universal gravitation revealed that the same laws govern both celestial bodies and Earth. These scientific revelations have had profound social consequences throughout history.
Knowledge drives societal growth, with science marking its progress. Our world is steeped in technology, all of which stems from scientific curiosity. What began as simple questions has led to groundbreaking innovations: power plants generate electricity from the interaction of magnetic and electric fields; automatic doors, scanners, and televisions arose from inquiries into the nature of light; and our understanding of thermodynamics revolutionized the study of engines and machines. Even our GPS and cell phones rely on Einstein’s theories to function correctly.
Unfortunately, society’s focus on immediate practicality has made us forget the wonder we experienced as children. Questions like “What’s the point of knowing how many stars there are?” have replaced our innate curiosity. We live in an era saturated with scientific products, yet few understand the basic principles behind them. This disconnect is dangerous.
Society often takes scientific benefits for granted, making it easy to belittle scientific results out of ignorance or misaligned expectations. We see this in attacks against 5G antennas motivated by conspiracy theories, even as the perpetrators use smartphones and the internet. Some schools even declare themselves “free of electromagnetic radiation” without understanding that natural sunlight is also an electromagnetic wave.
This lack of knowledge can have severe consequences. Infant mortality rates have plummeted thanks to vaccines, yet anti-vaccine movements have emerged, denying scientific benefits and historical memory in favor of biased or false claims. In a world where all kinds of information are readily available, it’s crucial to distinguish between those who want to expand our knowledge and those who exploit our ignorance for profit.
Charlatans often use scientific jargon to sell “magical” products. Even brilliant minds like Steve Jobs have fallen victim to pseudoscientific therapies. The best defense against such deception is knowledge and critical thinking. We must ask ourselves: Does this claim make sense? Is it backed by scientific studies and reputable institutions? Who profits if I believe this?
A telling example is Nathan Zöhner’s science project, where he gathered petitions to ban “DHMO” by listing its harmful effects. 86% of participants signed up, only to learn that DHMO was simply water (H2O). This “Zöhnerism” demonstrates how easily masses can be swayed without a foundation of scientific literacy and critical thinking.
Scientific knowledge isn’t just useful for practical applications; it’s essential for developing reasoned opinions and not falling prey to unfounded claims. Understanding light makes it harder to be fooled by claims of “evil electromagnetic radiation.” Knowing quantum physics helps identify scams that misuse such terminology.
The value of knowledge extends beyond practical and economic applications. It opens the door to skepticism, enabling us to form reasoned opinions and resist the unfounded claims of charlatans. This article invites readers to help erase islands of ignorance, motivate critical thinking, and transmit the passion for science, research, and the wonders of our world and cosmos.
In conclusion, fostering scientific literacy and critical thinking is crucial in our modern world. It not only drives technological progress but also equips us to navigate the sea of information and misinformation we encounter daily. By rekindling our childlike curiosity and combining it with scientific understanding, we can build a society that appreciates, supports, and benefits from scientific endeavors.
Let us strive to be informed citizens, capable of distinguishing fact from fiction, and contribute to a world where science and society work hand in hand for the betterment of all.
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The author is a senior lecturer at the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, and may be reached at algaba@um.edu.my
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