methodology: Niel deGrasse Tyson

A methodology posting, I came across the differences between 'senses' versus 'empirical' science. In a Nova Science Now Podcast titled "Coming To Our Senses" 7/20/2009, Neil deGrasse Tyson discusses the difference between using our five senses versus empirical science:

• human senses - are an opinion derived from our genetic profile. A food that taste great to me could cause others to wonder,'What is wrong with him?' As Neil says,"It is hard to do science equipped with only our senses."
• "The most successful fields of research are those rich in the methods and tools of measurement and do not depend upon the genes of who is doing the measurement."

It was such a clear statement of empirical science and good engineering that I wanted to share it here. This is a clear statement of the methodology that I try to follow and most admire in others when investigating this marvelous vehicle.

Opinions rank with hypothesis, a wild thought, but have little or no merit until backed up with empirical data ... something anyone can replicate and test. Metrics and the methodology are the crucible that separates the gold from the tailings.

Bob Wilson