Dr. Sheila Patek speaks out against attacks on science.

Why Do Scientists Pursue Science? Because This Is Discovery.

Why Do Scientists Pursue Science? Because This Is Discovery.

Bad Astronomy
The entire universe in blog form
June 10 2016 9:15 AM

“This Is Discovery”

brain power
We all have one of these. We should use them more.

Shutterstock/Sergey Nivens

Oh, the wonder of science! It inspires people to learn more, investigate more, even if the payoff isn’t obvious. But don’t believe me: Just watch this:

I don’t think I could say it any better myself. But I have said it:

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I’ve said this many times, under many different guises, but mostly under the mantle of dealing with the attacks on science, as Dr. Sheila Patek did in that video.

And this is why I speak out, and will continue to speak out. As long as people deny science, deny reality, then we must speak up. And when those people are in the government and control the funding and the choices scientists have to make, then it is absolutely critical that those who understand reality (or are trying to understand it better) continue to make their voices heard.

Tip o’ the Bunsen burner to Emily Dietle.