The Adventure, Joy, and Value of Science

This is a book about science, which is largely a way of thinking. Such thinking builds upon facts and curiosity to make discoveries about the natural world, applying objectivity to sort out the meaning of all new data. Science also has a moral component, always seeking the truth regardless of other demands by political, religious, or high authorities. Abiding by facts is paramount, and objectivity and critical thinking are the goals of all scientists throughout their careers. The discoveries by science have had great practical importance, producing benefits to humans and bringing the world out of the Dark Ages. Life expectancy has greatly increased due to revelations by science and technology in agriculture, medicine (including vaccines), knowledge, energy supplies, metals, clean water, etc. This book is a primer on how science operates, for justifying and explaining the scientific method has become a lost art. We live in an age where conspiracy theories, mysticism, and denial of reality abound. Although climate change is the most important fact of our time, it now has become the focus of gaslighting by commercial interests and populist/conservative politicians, organizations, and news media. These lessons are told through a life story of a research geologist and colleagues who have had an unusual amount of adventure. Yet our experiences are typical of those of most scientists in all specialties throughout the world. Our examples of discovery are described. Issues such as basic ("pure") science versus applied (mission-oriented) science are debated, as are the errors in thinking brought on by pseudoscience, groupthink, and simplistic solutions. Scientists are inspired by the wonder and beauty of the world, as noted here. By describing our eureka moments in Antarctica,…