Re: [compost_tea] compost tea a pseudoscience?

From: David Loring <dloring3_at_cox.net>
Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2003 08:06:51 -0800

Well said Chris, Happy Thanksgiving one and all.

Dave
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: chris reid
  To: Compost Tea
  Sent: Monday, November 24, 2003 6:37 PM
  Subject: [compost_tea] compost tea a pseudoscience?


  Ted Peterson said:

  "brewing is still a little like pseudoscience as opposed to hard science
  because there are so many little understood variables."
  ***

  PSEUDOSCIENCE
  Pronunciation: s`oodows'Iuns


  WordNet Dictionary

    Definition: [n] an activity resembling science but based on fallacio=
us
  assumptions

    See Also: alchemy, astrology, fallacy, false belief, star divination

  ****

  reply: Probably that word does not convey the idea of an emerging body of
  knowledge, being explored with little outside funding but in a way that
  attempts to build that body of knowledge on objective observations and
  testing. I also don't know how to describe a group of scientists,
  professional and amateur horticulturists working together on a project su=
ch
  as this list represents.

  TED SAID:
  Let's say it's a developing science that uses some scientific method for
  validation of a process not totally understood.

  reply: A thought: Maybe we could say that science is not science becaus=
e
  of how far along in the process of "finding answers" a particular inquiry
  is; it's science because of the method used.

  And, we're going to end up closer to answers with scientific skepticism (=
a
  skepticism borne out of an objective search for answers) than either
  hosannas or brickbats. Either can reflect lack of scientific approach to
  gathering facts, and examining them without a particular conclusion alrea=
dy
  reached (tea is wonderful, tea is awful).

  I hope that if I ever search for a new planet with my backyard telescope,=
 I
  will not in so doing discredit the science of astronomy...

  I love good questions and scientific skepticism from people who are here =
to
  learn. My first impulse is to avoid exclusion and limiting groups only t=
o
  those who fit the mold. I have learned that sometimes, when poeple are no=
t
  here to learn, the result can be productive and counterproductive and eac=
h
  of us must decide whether in balance one outweighs the other.

  Ted, as far as I'm concerned, your skeptical questions and observations a=
re
  welcome. Please don't sit and bite your fingernails off as you read post=
s
  that you feel aren't skeptical enough, and I hope you will raise question=
s
  about areas you think need to be explored. I think I learn more by askin=
g
  good questions, and not accepting what is "known" as the Last Best and On=
ly
  Answer, and I appreciate it when other people do the same.

  When people come to me with skeptical questions about something I have co=
me
  to believe, I note that I like to have them asked in a way that is not
  offputting or denigrating or insulting. It makes it easier to reconsider=
 my
  point of view, and to hear them out. I actually think the recent
  difficulties have more to do with the manner in which the list is being
  addressed than the fact of skepticism. I have had periods of great nail
  biting and deciding how to respond on this list when the hosannas were to=
o
  thick and heavy for my taste. When people learn that there are sacred co=
ws,
  they stop exploring those issues or challenging those people. And we all
  lose if we are really up to advancing what we know about using compost te=
a
  and not furthering anyone's commercial agenda.

  As my landscape design professor used to say, "Keep looking. Don't settl=
e
  on a quick solution. There is always, always a better way."

  Chris Reid



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Received on Wed Nov 26 2003 - 12:18:04 EST

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