tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37936507.post7810329691122800330..comments2023-08-08T10:25:47.529+01:00Comments on McCabism: The greatest scientific book ever writtenGordon McCabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09151162643523937086noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37936507.post-41643654789100244202009-02-20T20:08:00.000+00:002009-02-20T20:08:00.000+00:00Quite.However, does experimentation really enable ...Quite.<BR/><BR/>However, does experimentation really enable one to observe nature directly? In a sense, experiments just generate a mass of measurement data, beset with random variations, potential systematic bias, correction factors and detection limits. I like theory precisely because it is a more direct means of accessing nature itself.Gordon McCabehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09151162643523937086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37936507.post-48802868841959467552009-02-20T18:14:00.000+00:002009-02-20T18:14:00.000+00:00I am experimental physicist using lots of equipmen...I am experimental physicist using lots of equipment. Of course I could retrain myself to be a theorist, but I prefer to observe nature directly. <BR/><BR/>There are no government positions that I know of, which would allow me to do research without writing proposals and papers. Besides, what about maintaining my dignity?Parmenideshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07647892632415369838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37936507.post-48684471464289845232009-02-20T17:21:00.000+00:002009-02-20T17:21:00.000+00:00Indeed. Although, depending upon which part of sci...Indeed. <BR/><BR/>Although, depending upon which part of science you work in, there are options. If you're a theoretician, and have no need of expensive equipment to do your work, then you could abandon the world of grants, and cast yourself into personal penury, but continue your research efforts in isolation. Preferably in a hut, somewhere in the mountains. <BR/><BR/>And there are scientific jobs in government which provide a salary, and the kit to do research, but without the need to seek grants.Gordon McCabehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09151162643523937086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37936507.post-32895147863355885382009-02-20T14:42:00.000+00:002009-02-20T14:42:00.000+00:00True but impractical. We all depend no grants to d...True but impractical. We all depend no grants to do research, and depend on publications to stay employed with a reasonable salary. Change has to occur all at once, otherwise one would create a two-tier system.Parmenideshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07647892632415369838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37936507.post-27657053447513732832009-02-20T14:39:00.000+00:002009-02-20T14:39:00.000+00:00An excellent thought, and something I considered m...An excellent thought, and something I considered myself doing. However, I am totally dependent on grant support (which requires publications) and my salary depends on the number of snippets. I don't like it and I have been trying to change it but I cannot succeed. Only a concerted effort by scientific associations could do that. The change has to be all at once, otherwise the people who step out of the system get hurt.Parmenideshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07647892632415369838noreply@blogger.com