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The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe - Podcast 185 - 2/4/2009
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The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe
The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is produced by SGU Productions, LLC - dedicated to promoting critical thinking, reason, and the public understanding of science through online and other media. The first episode of the SGU podcast went online on May 4th, 2005. It soon became a popular science/skeptical podcast, and remains one of the most popular science podcasts on iTunes.
SGU Podcasting Awards: SGU on XM: You can listen to the SGU on America's Talk XM 166 every Saturday night from 8-9pm Eastern.
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Podcast
185
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February 04, 2009
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Interview with Massimo Pigliucci
New Items: Singularity University, Mammoth Extinction, Smallest Exoplanet,Blood Type Pseudoscience
Your Questions and E-mails: Scientific Predictions
Science or Fiction
Whos that Noisy
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Segment: News Items
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Segment: Questions and E-mails
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Question # 1 Scientific Predictions
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Hi, guys. I've been concerned about a clever argument about how science makes valid testable predictions, whereas non-science merely post-dicts from time to time.
Consider the assertion that recent scientific discoveries are conveniently post-dicting old theories which are preferred by the scientific establishment. For example: "To be accepted, String Theory must 'predict' ordinary quantum mechanics and the Standard Model; however, Michio Kaku stated in your show that string theory has 'infinite solutions.' Kaku can't lose: he can post-dict whichever solution he needs."
Or: "So-called 'transitional fossils,' once discovered, are conveniently' placed wherever in the tree of life they are needed to support the 'theory' of evolution."
Of course, in practice, some discoveries are made chronologically after all the evidence they "predict" has been collected. To accuse these scientists of foul play may sound quite reasonable (although it is an argument from final consequences). But the distinction can be quite subtle.
I do not think this topic warrants a dedicated discussion; but the next time the panel discusses a discovery which predicts already-observed evidence, perhaps it is worth identifying this distinction.
Jason Smith
Bangkok, Thailand
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Segment: Interview
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Interview with Massimo Piggliucci
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Massimo Pigliucci is a professor of evolutionary biology and ecology at Stony Brook University
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Segment: Science or Fiction [ Click Here to Show the Answers ]
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Segment: Who's That Noisy
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Whos That Noisy
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Answer from last week: Edward Teller
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Segment: Quote of the Week
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Quote of the Week
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"I am not ashamed to confess that I am ignorant of what I do not know."
-Marcus Tullius Cicero
Sent in by Chris Everett
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