Abuse of Science and Tech Essay Example

in being labeled as a member of the opposing group or being considered brainwashed. The belief is held that this movement possesses the idea that will bring about a utopia, although it is suspected that such a utopia would be more in line with Orwell's vision. Additionally, the text notes that even those who are critical of scientific methodology may attempt to use the language of scientific sophistication to validate their work.

There is often confusion among mainstream experts in the humanities and social sciences regarding the appropriate use of mathematical language. The inclusion of statistics, graphs, diagrams, or mathematical formulas can create a sense of authority for any viewpoint, especially when communicating with an audience that has limited mathematical knowledge. This phenomenon is evident in election campaigns where a Yale professor during the 1992 American presidential race claimed to have developed a formula for predicting future election winners and their victory margins.

By using quantitative measurements of economic, social, and political aspects, the professor forecasted a successful re-election for George Bush during the autumn of 1992. However, those who were proficient in quantitative information recognized a fundamental issue with this notion: the professor was using several parameters to mold a curve to a few election results and their victory margins. To test this, readers can choose a few random points and apply a high-degree polynomial curve fitting using appropriate graphing software.

The task of constructing a zigzag curve that passes through specified points is simple, but it does not provide any valuable insights into the similarities among the points or the possible locations of future points. It is important to highlight that the professor's forecast turned

out to be inaccurate. Had his prediction been accurate, it would have held considerable significance in the 1996 election, where two prominent candidates were vying for victory. However, overly confident forecasting is not unique to elections and encompasses several areas of societal concern that involve projecting from current trends.

Assuming that college tuitions will continuously increase by X% per year without limit is a mistake. Precise knowledge of initial conditions is necessary to make definite predictions, but such knowledge is rare even in natural sciences and rarer still when it comes to humanities and social sciences. Chaos theorists have revealed that minor variations in initial conditions can cause substantial changes in larger patterns later on. This idea is exemplified by the famous example of a butterfly flapping its wings in China resulting in a hurricane hitting Florida the next year.

Isaac Asimov's Foundation series introduced the concept of psychohistory, a science that could predict historical movements of large groups of people, similar to predicting the behavior of a group of gases. However, unlike gas molecules, individual humans can have an impact that greatly surpasses their numbers since they come from unique and unpredictable circumstances. As a result, human history remains inherently unpredictable except in the very short term. Scientists and engineers also understand that infinite precision in measuring any quantity is impossible as exemplified in the measurement of a platinum wire's diameter during experimental research.

Initially, I attempted to measure the diameter of the wire by placing a pair of calipers around it and measuring the distance of their separation. However, this method caused the wire to be crushed due to the pressure from the calipers, resulting

in an incorrect measurement. As an alternative approach, I measured the length of the wire and weighed it. By using the density of platinum, I was able to calculate the wire's volume and determine its diameter, assuming that the wire had a uniform diameter, there were no impurities affecting its density, and that my length and weight measurements were accurate. It is uncertain whether my measurement was precise beyond a few decimal points.

Access to advanced laser equipment would have allowed for more precise measurements through interference patterns; however, it should be noted that precision has its limits. In the case of a solid platinum wire, it is composed of platinum ion cores surrounded by electrons. Determining where the wire begins in the electron-field is a challenge similar to one raised by Benoit Mandelbrot when measuring the length of the British coastline. The appropriate scale must be considered, as measuring from a satellite yields a different result than walking along the sea's edge.

A rock protruding one meter into the ocean creates more coastline that was not accounted for by our satellite. Scaling down to an observer riding on an ant through sand grains shows an even longer coastline along each grain. Further down to the atomic level, the sea and sand interweave, creating ambiguity. Even then, the uncertainty principle states that knowing the position of a particle leads to less precision in determining its momentum and vice versa.

Heisenberg's Principle applies mainly to microscopic quantities, but it also holds true for macroscopic ones. The act of measuring inevitably alters the thing being measured. This is because information is obtained through energy or mass transfer from the object

under scrutiny. Thus, even seemingly simple systems like a wire or the coastline of Britain can be challenging to measure accurately. This raises a question: if natural scientists struggle to measure these quantities, how can social scientists claim to understand the ideas and actions of human beings? The way questions are asked and answers sought can highly influence results, as evidenced in economics. Gathering economic statistics is notoriously flawed, making quantitative comparisons of nations' incomes often meaningless.

When there is a $500 difference in per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) between two countries, practical implications are questioned. Although efforts are made to adjust for purchasing power disparities among countries, the availability and quality of goods can still affect this. Similarly, economic data from different periods within one country raises similar concerns when comparing standards of living over time, such as Queen Victoria's era versus present-day middle-class Britain. However, utilizing economic statistics for policy-making presents concerns about their significance since they can be inaccurate and include non-measurable factors. These concerns become more pronounced when numerical scales are applied to measure human intelligence since it is not feasible.

IQ tests and economic statistics are seen as entertaining if they didn't have such a great impact on people's opportunities in education, employment, and race relations. A better understanding is needed among pollsters, politicians, social scientists, and the public that emotional and human abilities, views, and economic values can rarely be measured objectively. Most statistics challenge or support vested interests. How to Lie with Statistics by Darrell Huff is a remarkable book on this topic, even though its examples are slightly outdated. It's imperative for the public to possess technical

literacy to avoid being misled by advertisers, governments, lobbyists, magazines, organizations, companies, unions and others. Innumeracy by John Allen Paulos highlights the importance of mathematical literacy in our society by showing how math is frequently misused in influential and hazardous ways. Similarly, A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper emphasizes the same message.

Social scientists often attempt to measure the immeasurable, distorting our ability to accurately perceive society. While misdiagnosing societal problems may seem harmless, it becomes perilous when paired with the ambitions of aspiring "social engineers." The term itself is objectionable because it suggests that this group is knowledgeable and competent. Any legitimate engineer with the same level of negligence and lack of expertise as the typical "social engineer" would be terminated and prohibited from practicing, preferably before causing harm.

Unfortunately, in recent times, millions of people have been killed by "social engineers" including Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, and others. Even well-intentioned "social engineers" can pose a threat to society's well-being, as seen in Hillary Rodham Clinton's plans for federal control of health care and Newt Gingrich's budgetary visions. This chapter highlights the importance of the general public having a better understanding of science and technology, including their limitations and implications. With such knowledge, the public would be better equipped to challenge anti-rational visions outlined in this chapter and would be more willing and able to understand the concerns of scientific professionals who can articulate these issues.

Daily, scientists and engineers are reminded of nature's unpredictability and their own limited abilities to understand and control it. Similar to Socrates' portrayal in Plato's Apologia, they demonstrate wisdom by acknowledging their own ignorance. This sets them apart

from colleagues in the humanities and social sciences who may hold grandiose beliefs without facing the challenge of experimental reproducibility. The study of human affairs is too vital to be dominated by supposed experts who claim exclusive interpretation rights. It is the responsibility of scientists and engineers to participate in this interpretation, not just a right.

It would be risky to halt scientific endeavors in order to avoid potential abuse, as some suggest. Charles de Gaulle believed that refusing to employ power only empowers the unstable and extreme factions. A better approach is to educate people about science, giving them the ability to regulate it in their own lives. Education can counter anti-rationalism and emotionally driven arguments, influencing how individuals react. Furthermore, scientists and engineers should exercise greater caution in their work.

The pursuit of knowledge is often not accompanied by a concern for its potential dangers. While researching can advance our physical well-being and understanding of the universe, it is important to approach it with caution and a recognition of the immense power that knowledge holds.