Sat, 04 Nov 2006

Bigfoot research makes prof an outcast on campus

Ya know, in my not so humble opinion, Bigfoot is probably a myth. But after reading this article, I almost hope this guy does find him, just to shove the proof up the noses of his fellow academics.

Science should avoid dogma at all costs - there are a lot of so-called crackpot ideas that eventually prove out, and a lot more that don't. In fact, at some time, nearly all ideas were "crackpot": we all know that men will never fly, the world is flat and the earth is the center of the universe, after all.

This guy seems to be doing real science, going to the field and trying to collected samples and evidence, analyzing it and drawing conclusions. If you disagree with the conclusions, fine - feel free to disprove them (and many folks have). But don't shut down curiosity itself because you know the Absolute Truth: that's not science, that's religion, and some pretty warped religion at that.

Many scientists are embarrassed by what they call Meldrum's "pseudo-academic" pursuits and have called on the university to review his work with an eye toward revoking his tenure. One physics professor, D.P. Wells, wonders whether Meldrum plans to research Santa Claus, too.

(link) [CNN.com]

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