IB Theory of Knowledge - an ongoing list of interesting finds

With a thorough exploration of Oppenheimer's background, influences, anxieties and motivations, this feature explores the effects of nuclear weaponry. In the piece, Oppenheimer is likened to notable scientists who, in an attempt to prevent further war or further destruction, utilize science.  Like the others listed in the passage below, however, he is unable to to so. An excerpt: " The distressing human predilection for the occasional blood-feast did, of course, impede man’s progress toward these ever-appealing ends. Alfred Nobel had hoped that his invention of dynamite, which enhanced exponentially the possibilities for battle carnage, would put people off war forever; it didn’t happen. Albert Einstein, equally peaceable but more discerning, said of the weaponry developed before the First World War — machine guns, massive artillery — that entrusting human beings with modern technology was like putting a meat ax in the hands of a psychopath. The flower of Wilhelmine chem...

A post from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History that outlines "issues that arise at the crossroads of science and religion, particularly in relation to the scientific accounts of evolution and human origins..."  As the Smithsonian's Committee points out, "Cultural divides in the United States over the acceptance of evolution and scientific understandings of human origins make this interchange relevant. They also offer an opportunity to inspire a positive relationship between science and religion. "  (February 8, 2016) For a biting scientific retort to Creationism, check out: Scientific American's relatively scathing "15 Answers to Creationist Nonsense"  (July 1, 2002). Dr. Dave Hone's " Why creationists are out of time with history and science " (April 27, 2016). Alternately, Answers in Genesis' website offers counter arguments and further explanation to central Creationist theories and the potential overl...

A few articles to get you started on looking at this Real Life Situation.  Proponents for intelligent design (Creationist theory) battle for space in the science curriculum and in educational textbooks. The scientific community is adamant that intelligent design is not a scientific branch as it lacks falsification . In fact, this is not simply a current event - these battles have been ongoing since Darwin published his Evolutionary theory.  In 1925, teacher John Scopes was convicted and fined $100 for teaching evolution in his Dayton, Tenn., classroom (PBS' "Scopes Trial"). Today, the metaphorical war is "fought" in small battles, and continuous debates arise in terms of who should have the decision-making power as to what is included or excluded from curriculum. Below are links to articles addressing this ongoing controversy, with specific focus on recent battles in Texas, USA. “ Creationism and intelligent design .” BBC: Religions. Online. 2009-06-02. ...

A look at the discovery of the DNA "fingerprint," the evolution of its use in immigration, forensics, and touches on the ongoing controversial (disturbing?) debate surrounding the creation of a DNA database of citizens with no criminal history. DNA fingerprinting Further Reading: " Is it ethical to have a national DNA database ?" Debate.  yourgenome.com.

Source: New York Times Excerpt from  “A Family Consents to a Medical Gift, 62 Years Later.” New York Times. August 7, 2013. Henrietta Lacks was only 31 when she died of cervical cancer in 1951 in a Baltimore hospital. Not long before her death, doctors removed some of her tumor cells. They later discovered that the cells could thrive in a lab, a feat no human cells had achieved before. Soon the cells, called HeLa cells, were being shipped from Baltimore around the world. In the 62 years since, her cells have been the subject of more than 74,000 studies, many of which have yielded profound insights into cell biology, vaccines, in vitro fertilization and cancer. But Henrietta Lacks, who was poor, black and uneducated, never consented to her cells’ being studied. For 62 years, her family has been left out of the decision-making around [and financial benefits of] that research. Excerpt from "A New Chapter in the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks." National Geograph...

Have a look at the role of serendipity in a variety of contexts using the links below.  The Atlantic -  The Accidental Discovery of LSD New Humanist - famous accidental discoveries American Physical Society - Becquerel Discovers Radioactivity National Science Foundation - Chance Discoveries: Safety Glass Popular Mechanics - 10 Awesome Accidental Discoveries Business Insider - 15 Amazing Science Discoveries Inspired By Complete Accidents

This 2013 piece looks at motivations provided to human scientists in the USA and how these reward systems, while producing science that is innovative and "cutting edge," do not provide consistency or help to establish accuracy in the human sciences.  This bias, called the "US-effect" does not adhere to the central beliefs of what science should be: "Science should be about doing good, precise studies. Not necessarily about getting exciting new results every time." The introduction:   "Scientists who study human behaviour are more likely than average to report exaggerated or eye-catching results if they are based in the United States, according to an analysis of more than 1,000 research papers in psychiatry and genetics. This bias could be due to the research culture in the US, authors of the analysis said, which tends to preferentially reward scientists for the novelty and immediate impact of a piece of work over the quality or its long-term contrib...