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22 Nov 2009

A Joint Love Letter to Science

- 28 Apr 2009
By Alom Shaha   
Page 3 of 3

"Humanity's Greatest Achievement"

The most common responses to the question "why is science important?" related to science as a way of thinking, as a way of looking at the world or, to state it more strongly, as a way of "arriving at truths about the Universe". Dr Susan Blackmore, a psychologist, stated strongly that "truth is better than illusion…other claims... prevent people from using their natural curiosity to find out how things really are". Simon Singh, science writer and particle physicist, wrote "being curious and addressing scientific questions is what makes us human" and Dr Elaine Greaney, a rocket scientist, said "it allows us to do things that previously we wouldn't have dreamed of".

Solar eclipse

Finally, my favourite response was from Dr Michael de Podesta, a former teacher of mine and a physicist at the UK's National Physical Laboratory, who went out on a limb and declared that "Science is Humanity's Greatest Achievement". I can't help but agree with him.

Working on this project was exhausting. I wouldn't recommend trying to produce and direct a film while teaching in a high school to anyone! But the end result has been worth it.

The project has become a kind of joint love letter to science and I hope you will help me in sharing it with the world.

View the film Why is Science Important?

Have your say! Vote in the FirstScience poll

For more information, visit Alom Shaha's website:
http://whyscience.co.uk/


Photos courtesy of: Luc Viatour, Steve Jurvetson, Mike Blyth
 
Have your say
 
Science refers to a system of acquiring knowledge based on the scientific method.
It is the fundamental method that the human race uses to acquire knowledge about the world in which it lives.

Posted by: siencefirst - 2009-05-20 - 09:46 GMT

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