[barend]

Also, I think the argument that we can't place any trust in men (and women!) of science because of some blunders some long dead scientists made a long time ago is starting to run a little thin. Those scientists didn't even bother seriously testing their theories, and in many cases, they just ignored evidence against them!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think the argument that we can't place any trust in men (and women!) of science because of some blunders some long dead scientists made a long time ago is starting to run a little thin. - IS STARTING TO RUN A LITTLE THIN!!!

why, those things were considered science fact.

we have become complacent in our acceptance of scientific theory that many theories have been almost religiously accepted as fact.

it breaks down like this...
science suggests a theory:
"i theorise that man evolved from ape-like primates, but i'll have to do some more research to try and confirm this."
common man overhears this at a cocktail party:
"did you hear that? that scientist said we call came from monkeys!"

--this was not an argument against evolution, i'm just making a point--

before you know it, information is being treated as fact while scientists are still refereing to such things as "the theory of ......."

testing a lazer in a perspex chamber of gas in a controlled facility is one thing, but launching shrapnel at high speed into highspeed celestial objects is another...

i'm not so much saying that these people don't know what they're doing so much as they they seem to think making a few calculations based on theories that have not all been conclusivley prooven, in anyway warrents the abandonment of caution in approach to new endevors.

we've become a little too optomistic...

it was only few decades ago that we thought detonating nuclear weapons in out atmosphere would not lead to john wayne getting cancer.

[Radu094]

Bai is seeking damages totaling $300 million the approximate equivalent of the mission's cost for her "moral sufferings,"

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There is a law in my country that basically means: It you sue someone for 1000 dollars you must put half of that upfront as collateral. You get the money back in the end of the trial, wether you win or loose, but it makes it harder for idiots like this to sue McDonalds for 10 thousand billion billion zillion dolars for tripping on wet floor.

[Chyld]

Well, that sounds like a clever way of going about it. Only problem I can see is that non-stupid high-profile cases might struggle to get to court. Still, its a start.

[barend]

i think we just need better judges...

slipping on a piece of lettus in the vegi section of a supermarket is part of the risk of rumaging through vegies over a smooth hard floor...

it's not the supermarkets fault that a majority of people are selfish assholes with no regard, or clumsy dipshits who have no more right walking out side of their home then a dog without a collar

[Otal Nimrodi]

before you know it, information is being treated as fact while scientists are still refereing to such things as "the theory of ......."

Well, technically, what is commonly referred to as a Theory scientistifically is called a Hypothesis, and what we call a fact, is called a Theory.

[WalkingCarpet]

We need two things. Firstly, a smidgen of common sense to be exercised from time to time.

And secondly, and this is a bit of a pipe dream, but these people need to start taking some fucking responsibility for their own lives. If you're getting fat, start eating salads. If you're worried about lung cancer, stop smoking. And if you look where you're going, you might not trip over loose paving stones.