Youtube Video of the Week.

I want to first apologize for my extended absence, but I am trying to find the time to continue and I hope to be able to resume the regular features such as this.

Again, my gratitude to condron.us for helping more people view this site.

How To: Apply the Scientific Method

The scientific method, the most accurate known method for learning about the world, is important but something it seems not all are instructed in how to use.  As with all tools, learning its proper use is of immense importance.

The scientific method is the best known method for gathering information, as evidenced by the technology produced by knowledge gained by using the scientific method.

1. Observe a phenomenon and question its cause.

Before anything else, you have to first make an observation of something the cause of which is unknown to you.  For Newton, this was a falling apple (if one were to accept the story).  For Darwin, this was evolution.  Once observed, one must question the cause of the phenomenon.  This is the most important step of the scientific method as without questioning the cause no hypothesis is made and no knowledge gained.

2. Create falsifiable hypothesis regarding phenomenon’s cause.

Posit a specific cause as resulting in the observed phenomenon, typically in the form of an if-then statement.  If you complete an electrical circuit including a power source and light bulb, the light bulb will light up.  This step is significant because it allows for an experiment to be designed which will support or falsify the hypothesis.  It is important that the hypothesis can be falsified otherwise the hypothesis can not be tested.  It is unscientific to create a hypothesis that can not be tested, as it does not allow the rest of the scientific method to take place.  Intelligent Design and Creationism have non-falsifiable hypotheses at their core, hence why they are not scientific.  Heliocentric theory (that the Earth orbits the Sun) can be falsified by observations of the Earth’s orbit, hence why it is scientific.

3. Attempt to falsify hypothesis.

This is the core of the scientific method because it is what weeds out hypotheses which posit incorrect causes from those which are, at least mostly, correct.  The experiment to falsify a hypothesis must follow very strict standards in order to be valid.  An experiment must isolate as many variables (things which change from experiment to experiment) as possible and make them controls (things which do not change from experiment to experiment) except for the variable which is the hypothesized cause.  This independent variable (which is what the experiment will be designed to have vary) is posited to cause a dependent variable (which should change depending on the independent variable).  If the dependent variable does not change due to the independent variable, then the experiment has falsified the hypothesis.  It is important to note that one experiment is enough to satisfactoryly falsify a hypothesis, it takes many trails with many variations on the independent variable.

The Discovery channel show Mythbusters has done much for the popularization of science, showing how fascinating properly conducted science can be.

4A. If falsified, repeat 3 and 4 form a new hypothesis.

Falsification is important, but if no steps were taken to make a correct hypothesis then science would come to a screeching halt every time someone posited the wrong cause.  One must create a new hypothesis with a different posited cause and attempt again to falsify it.

4B. If verified, perform more tests.

A hypothesis which has not faced sufficient testing will likely not be received well by the scientific community, especially if that hypothesis posits a cause which goes against other hypotheses which have more testing.  There is no such thing in science as a hypothesis with too much supporting evidence and it is better to take a while to ensure accuracy than to rush for the sake of not being ‘beaten’ to the discovery.

5. Submit your hypothesis for others to test.

This is a vital part of the scientific method, the peer review process.  It is here where other scientists take the time to examine your experiments and results for errors and test your hypothesis again, either falsifying or verifying it.  This is what allows science to be free of most human error, every result is questioned and analysed before being considered true.

6. After much verification, promote hypothesis to theory.

This is a landmark for any hypothesis, where a majority of the scientific community agree that the hypothesis accurately reflects the world and thus deserves the distinction of such.  The hypothesis of heliocentricity has long since been promoted to heliocentric theory and evolution by natural selection has been given the same honour.  The promotion to theory recognizes that a hypothesis has so much evidence behind it that there is left no known reason to doubt it.  This is not to say that the theory is 100% certainly true, just that all known evidence suggests that it is true.

7. Apply and continue to refine theory.

This step is how science can continue to develop better and better theories to describe reality and why it is so reliable.  With the application of the theory to technology yet more evidence is gained as to the veracity and holes in the theory, allowing it to be refined and applied even more accurately and said to be true with ever greater certainty (but never 100% certainty, which requires faith).  The key to science’s success is that it never stops, no scientist is considered infallible (not even someone like Einstein or Darwin), and no idea is considered perfect.

Word Count: 889

My grattitude to condron.us for helping more people view this site.

Youtube Video of the Week

No review of the video this week, I have concluded that it is better to let the videos speak for themselves unless someone asks why I like it so much.

As always, my gratitude to condron.us for helping more people view this site.

Anime/Manga Review: Rurouni Kenshin

I apologize first for not posting this sooner, I have been kept busy this past week.

This week I review the manga Rurouni Kenshin by Nobuhiro Watsuki.

Kenshin Himura struggles with a dual personality, that of the peaceful rurouni and that of the violent hitoriki.

Summary:

It is early in the Meji Period of Japan and Kenshin Himura is a wanderer and one of the few remaining who wear a sword at all times.  When meeting and aiding Kaoru Kamiya, the teacher at a dojo, it is revealed that he uses a katana with the blade on the inside, a sakabatou.  The story progresses with new allies and enemies arising as Kenshin tries to live a peaceful life but is forced into violence in order to protect others while also struggling to atone for his past and rid himself of his personality from the past.

Primary Characters:

Kenshin Himura: Carried the title Hitoriki Battousai in the past, a name he carried as a legendary killer.  Kenshin as a rurouni is kind, deep, a little silly, and serene.  Kenshin as the hitoriki is angry, violent, and blood thirsty.   Much of the story focuses on this duality, but it is eventually resolved leaving Kenshin even stronger than when he was the Hitoriki Battousai.

Kaoru Kamiya: Teacher of the Kamiya Kashin style and the first one in the story to befriend Kenshin.  Is kind but headstrong at times.  Is the owner of the dojo where Kenshin stays and is rarely involved in a story arch as a combatant.

Sanosuke Sagara: Fighter for hire whose unit during the war was made a scapegoat and denounced by the new government.  Headstrong and highly dedicated, he joined Kenshin after being shown that his fighting was without purpose.

Yahiko Myojin: Son of a samurai who wishes to become one.  He starts off as a street urchin until Kaoru takes him in as a student.  Has a personality very similar to Kaoru but with far more pride.

Review:

The manga has amazingly detailed images that show the depth of the characters.  It shows clearly Kenshin’s three moods as peaceful rurouni, fighting rurouni, and hitoriki.  The battles are drawn dramatically and with even minute details included.  The story is well thought through and the personalities of each character carefully structured, no one is a ‘cardboard cut-out’ character.  The story moves at the right pace, the slow parts interesting and the fast parts not overwhelming.  As with any good story, it is very hard to stop reading at any time.  The story leaves nothing undone and ends with the reader satisfied that everything happened as it should have.

Word Count: 446

My gratitude to condron.us for helping more people view this site.

How To: Write a Haiku in Five Minutes

Haiku poems have been an interest of mine for a while, so this week I will codify how I go about writing one in under five minutes.

Haiku are a Japanese form of poetry that are often very simple both in construction and subject matter.

1. Haiku structure: A haiku is composed of five lines with a total of 17 syllables.

Five in the first line,

Seven should be in the next,

Finish with five more.

Although I typically keep my haiku to one or two sentences with each line as a distinct section of the haiku, that is a matter of personal style.

2. Get an idea: Look around you or think of the audience for the haiku.  Focus on one element.

The text on this screen,

A dichotomy of life:

Pure black on pure white.

The more elements you attempt to include, the harder it will be.  Although haiku are typically based on nature, you can make yours on anything you want.

3. Work one line at a time: Take the first thought about your given topic and count the syllables.  If it is four, try to make it five.  If it is six, try to make it seven or five depending on what lines you still need.  For eight you should try to remove one.  If you have more or less syllables than that, I would suggest attempting a complete rephrase.

First line for subject,

Second is the easiest,

Third is conclusion.

Flow is good, but the form is what defines a haiku.  The above is how I typically structure them for each line, but you could mix it up for artistic flair.

4. Practice: If at first you fail,

Try whenever time permits,

Even if at work.

Haiku just take practise, and they can be done anywhere at any time.  Even at work you could jot down a quick haiku when no one is looking, 17 syllables do not typically take long to write.

Word Count: 334

Condron.us,

Thanks for your help with showing

this blog to people.

Youtube video of the week

This video is of high quality, with the music matching the images extremely well.  The clips from the anime are mostly in order of when they were shown and matched with the words of the music at just the right times.  The timing is also very good, the images being shown at just the right time and the pacing at the beginning is perfect.  The song matches the story told by the images and the series in general, one could hardly find a better song for the anime in question.  I can not think of any way to improve it, the images and song start off slow, pick up pace, and then fades out.  I can not even think of any different clips that would have been good additions.

Be warned however that this video contains spoilers for the end of the anime, so if you object to the spoilers I would suggest watching the anime first.

Word Count: 171

My gratitude to condron.us for helping more people view this site.

The Merit of Fantasy

Before I begin, I just wish to share that yesterday was a milestone for this site, over 100 views!

The Harry Potter books have brought fantasy and reading to a generation and are a perfect example of the genre.

This post may seem to be random or uncharacteristic given my attitude towards false claims as shown in Truth Versus Deceit, but I can assure you that I am consistent in my views (something also done in Dreams of an Atheist).  I did not entitle the other post as Truth Versus Fantasy for one good reason, fantasy ceases to be harmful when people know that it is fantasy and act that way.  I love fantasy books, but if I did not view them as fantasy, then I would be practising dangerous deceit.  Fantasy only becomes deceit when the element of “this is not true” is removed.  With that said and done, I can describe the merits of fantasy.

1. Fantasy is not real. Although this is true by definition, it is also a large part of why fantasy is important.  Fantasy allows for perversions or outright replacements for reality where the very laws of nature can function differently.  In this regard fantasy permits for escape from life to one of your own invention.  I quite enjoy spending time daydreaming every day, so as to give fantasy its time and place.

2.  Fantasy uses the imagination. By engaging your imagination not only are you using a form of play (something important for people of all ages), but also making use of your creative abilities.  Using your creativity is a vital part of staying creative, the ‘use it or lose it’ principle applies at any age.  Being creative is of the utmost importance because without it your capacity to solve problems and adapt to situations is fatally wounded.  You would be stuck only with old methods and old ideas, which will eventually be a problem.

3. Fantasy helps with planning for the future. By having feasible fantasies you create hypothetical situations and your behaviour within them.  Through these hypothetical situations you can plan for the future and come to better understand your own personality.  A fantasy can be used to identify your desires as well as shortcommings, permitting them to be corrected prior to being a hindrance.

4. Fantasy can be a catalyst for reality. If you take the time to fantasize you can find solutions to your problems.  A scientist might spark one of their ideas from a daydream, a writer from a dream, or in fantasizing about what life would be like with a problem solved you learn how to solve the problem.

I encourage everyone to engage in fantasy at least once a day, be it as minor as imagining a perfect day at work or as major as creating an entire fantasy realm, fantasy is good for you.  As with all things, certain precautions are necessary for its proper use, but when used properly it is a valuable part of life.

Word Count: 510

My gratitude to condron.us for helping more people view this site.

Evolution 101

As a follow-up to my post Evolutionary misconceptions, I think it would be good to give a brief talk on what evolution is, instead of what it is not.

First, evolution is a phenomenon, an observed event.  The phenomenon of evolution is an empirical observation indicated by several factors, including fossils and geological data.  This is similar to saying that a light bulb turns on.  It is an observation, nothing more, nothing less.

The hypothesis regarding evolution is not evolution, but rather the mechanism by which evolution functions.  To keep with the earlier analogy: the light bulb turning on is not the mystery, why it turns on is.  A hypothesis (such as natural selection) is offered to explain how it happens.  A hypothesis typically takes the form of an if-then statement and makes a prediction.  For example (this is an extreme simplification, but sufficient for demonstration purposes), if natural selection is correct, then we should see that as generations of animals pass the animals either go extinct or slowly adapt over each generation to better survive in their environment.  For the light bulb it would look more like: If the light switch turns on the light bulb, then when I flip it to the ‘on’ position the light should turn on.  Both of those make a prediction which can be empirically verified or falsified.  That is the essence of what divides a scientific hypothesis from a guess, a scientific hypothesis outlines the conditions under which is is correct or incorrect.

Natural selection, one of evolution's mechanisms, was proposed by Charles Darwin and states simply that traits which do not aid in survival will not be passed down to later generations.

So we know that evolution is an observation and that it requires a hypothesis to explain how it occurs, so what are a few different hypotheses?

One could say that evolution is directed by an intelligent entity, which we know can happen, with dog breeding for example.  The ones with undesired traits simply do not procreate.  What would be evidence for this though?  If evolution is intelligently guided, what should we see?

Perhaps it is natural selection, where animals do not pass on traits because they are unable to survive.  The ‘unfit’ ones simply die.  What evidence would exist for this view?  If natural selection is the driving mechanism of evolution, we should see that no trait exists which hinders an animal’s ability to survive.  What about peacock tails, they are so colourful, surely they make peacocks more likely to be killed?  Yes, so natural selection is either incorrect or simply not alone.

What about sexual selection?  Animals who best acquire mates reproduce more and pass on their appealing traits.  The unattractive ones simply do not have offspring.  What evidence would we see for this?  If evolution is guided by sexual selection, then we should see animals with traits whose only purpose seems to be obtaining a mate.  Peacock tails are but one example of this, so the evidence is in favour of sexual selection being a mechanism for evolution.  Is it the only one?  No, there are many adaptations that sexual selection does not explain but natural selection does, so perhaps there is not one, but two mechanisms?  Wait, there is no mechanism for traits which do not aid in survival or procreation.

Sexual selection states simply that traits which make males of a species more desireable as mates will be passed down to more offspring.

That would be where genetic drift comes in.  Simply put, the gene pool of a species changes over time via natural and sexual selection, but not all traits are selected, some just ‘come with the package’.  This is the only mechanism for evolution which is random.  If genetic drift occurs, then we should see that, in the absence of statistically significant selection pressures, traits which are relatively inconsequential are passed down along with the traits which are significant for survival and procreation.  As we can observe in various animals, the relatively inconsequential traits of successful animals are passed down with greater frequency than the relatively inconsequential traits of unsuccessful animals, thus resulting in the relatively inconsequential traits of successful animals being found with greater frequency in their offspring.

So now that we understand the three demonstrable mechanisms of evolution, we can move on to the effects of evolution.  As we can see and as predicted by natural and sexual selection, a species becomes better able to cope with its environment over time.  What effects does this have on the species in question and other species?

For the species in question, it means potentially radical changes from other members of the same species but in a different environment.  As each different trait results in different genetic material, enough changes between the two may accumulate to the point that they can not breed.  What does it mean when two members of a species can not breed due to genetic incompatibility?  It means that they are no longer the same species.  This is a phenomenon called speciation, and it takes a very long time to happen.  Dogs and wolves are still genetically compatible, although we classify them as different species.  Horses and donkeys are barely genetically compatible, their offspring are infertile.  Speciation is not a quick phenomenon, as it is a result of a lot of evolution and not just a few generations.

What does evolution mean for other species?  Since all species evolve via the same mechanisms, the evolution of one species (a prey species for example) requires evolution of another species (a predator species) and results in a never ending cycle of evolution.  Not even humans are free of evolution, as we are still subject to natural and sexual selection, albeit the consequences of failure are not as ugly.  Given a few thousand generations, humans today and humans then will probably be quite different (genetically speaking).

As one can gather from the above, evolution has no end goal.  Evolution is a process and only has a goal when guided by something with a goal (such as in the instance of dog breeding).  Every form is transitional, in between one organism and another, with the only clear boundaries being the boundaries of genetic compatibility and those we assign arbitrarily.

Word Count: 1057

My grattitude to condron.us for helping more people view this site.

Anime/Manga review: Bitter Virgin

This week my attention will go to a more obscure manga, Bitter Virgin by Kei Kusunoki.

Bitter Virgin is the story of Daisuke and Aikawa and how tragedy brings them together.

Summary:

Suwa Daisuke is a Japanese student who is known for widespread flirtation with every girl in school, except for Aikawa Hinako, who refuses to let men even touch her.  One day, while hiding in a church’s confessional, Aikawa enters and confesses to being sexually abused by her father, getting pregnant twice and giving birth one year prior to revealing this.  Daisuke then takes it upon himself to keep that secret as well as care for Aikawa.  Gradually the two fall in love despite the efforts of Daisuke’s ‘girlfriend’, Ibuse Kazuki, to stop it.

Primary Characters:

Suwa Daisuke: Japanese student who learns Aikawa’s secret.  Very compassionate and ambitious, he dreams of leaving the small town but stays out of a desire to help Aikawa.  He tries and fails many times to have Ibuse give up on pursuing a relationship with him.

Aikawa Hinako: Daisuke’s classmate who suffers from a severe fear of men due to being sexually abused and impregnated by her father.  Has had an abortion and given birth, but gave the baby up for adoption.  Very shy but also very compassionate, she lives on her own and limits contact with others to a minimum until Daisuke starts helping her.

Ibuse Kazuki: Daisuke’s ‘girlfriend’ and classmate.  Suffers from an extreme obsession, to the point of embarassing and even almost severely wounding Aikawa out of jealousy.

Review:

The art alone is enough for me to greatly enjoy the manga, every character is distinct and expressive, which is important for a manga where emotions play such a key role.  The primary characters have depth to them and the secondary characters have just enough depth to make them believable and not take away from the main characters.  The writing is very powerful, the manga brings out the same emotions in a reader as are experienced by those within the story.  The pacing is appropriate, lingering on tragedies as long as is necessary to convey how trajic they are but moving on before the story becomes too depressing to read.  The story also ends on a note of hope to contract with the sad story up to that point, but I shall not say more to avoid spoilers.

Word Count: 416

My grattiude to condron.us for helping more people view this site.

How to: Conduct a debate.

I want to, before I actually start the significant part of the post, apologize for not posting Saturday or Sunday, those days were busy for me.

But, now for the weekly how to, this time regarding debates.  The below only applies if you wish to win in a debate due to being right, rather than manipulating the audience.  If you only wish to win by manipulation of the audience, then I suggest a quick glance at my Truth versus deceit post.

A debate is where two people argue in favour of their viewpoint and against the opponent's. A good debate is civil, informative, and has no statement lacking evidence.

Good debate methods:

1. Keep it civil. A debate without civility is merely bickering, a debate with insults, typically, quickly degenerates into what is called a ‘flame-war’ where the only competition is to see who can deliver the most grievous insult.  As such, avoid insults in a debate so that your audience or opponent do not develop a distaste for you, as such can subconsciously alter their perception of your argument.

2. Demonstrate integrity. A debater without integrity is typically not trusted by the opponent or audience.  If you are caught making something up, citing a faulty study, or plagiarising, it immediately casts a shadow over all your other arguments.  You will be far less likely to persuade anyone that way and likely just seed animosity towards yourself.  Check your sources and make sure they are valid, write your own material or properly attribute quotes, and where you are wrong make sure you admit such.  Nothing helps a debater’s integrity as much as admitting a mistake, although it is still better to not make the mistake at all.

3. Provide evidence. Any point you wish to make should have at least one piece of evidence supporting it, either empirical or logical.  Do not rely on common sense, it does not have a good enough track record and your opponent will most likely point this out unless they are also relying upon common sense for their points.  If you are caught saying something and are unable to provide evidence, make sure that the point is not one which supports your primary argument.  If you provide the evidence as you are making the point, it makes your point stronger and leaves your opponent with fewer questions they can ask to challenge your argument, as you have already made their questions regarding your evidence pointless.

4. Know your limits. When you are wrong, admit it.  Avoid basless speculation and areas where you know nothing or very little.  If you are an English teacher who has not researched quantum mechanics, do not use it as evidence for your metaphysical views, study quantum mechanics first.  If you are a physicist who has not studied the nature versus nuture debate, do not use psychology as evidence for your views regarding human nature, study the psychology first.  Make sure you know what you believe due to aesthetics, upbringing, and intuition and keep that out of the debate.

Bad debate methods:

1. Logical fallacies. Any opponent you face in a debate will usually be readily able to identify logical fallacies, the audience may not.  If you use logical fallacies in such a way that your opponent takes longer to state how it is a fallacy than it takes you to state the fallacy many times over, your audience will remember your point more than the opponent’s counter point.  It is an effective debate tactic, but not a good one.  You would be winning the debate not because of being correct, but because of an audience’s inattentiveness.

2. Straw men. A straw man is when you distort your opponent’s argument in such a way as to make it easier to argue against.  It is vital to note however, you are not actually arguing against your opponent’s argument.  Depending on the audience, this might be effective.  The less educated on the subject your audience is, the less likely they are to realize a misrepresentation.  The straw man is a favoured tactic of creationists because it appeals to the uneducated masses (for some common miconceptions, see Evolutionary misconceptions).

3. Appeals to emotion. By appealing to the audience’s emotions, such as fear, you make it all the harder for evidence to work.  By doing this you are indeed more likely to win and even make those in the audience actively argue your position.  The down side is that by introducing emotion to the equation, you make proper conduct of thought (proper being defined here as that which results in the most accurate knowledge) nigh impossible.  Yes, you win, but in doing so you make problems that are all the harder to undo.  Creationism has lasted so long due to this tactic.

On a more personal note, I was in a debate club for a little while when I was in school.  We were told to use appeals to emotion, fear especially.  I quit for moral reasons.

Word Count: 828

My grattitue to condron.us for helping more people view this site.