> Hi all:
> The Princeton site pointed out by Marcelo Puhl seem to agree with a fact
> that I have been trying to point out in various lists, namely that
> objectivity does not exist (that is if one looks hard enough). The
> scientific buzzword "objectivity" is merely a ploy to reduce accepted
> standards to the lowest common denominator, that is to a level of
> perception where everybody can percieve the same thing. I state of
[snip!]
I couldn't help but jump on this, because it goes along with my own
beliefs. Objectivity is an illusion - and the idea that science is truly
objective is one of the most proposterous notions to ever be set forth,
and I find it hillarious that it's carried on this long. One cannot be
'objective' about anything unless one has ALL the data available ---
since there is no way to TOTALLY isolate a given object from the universe
- all experiments are subject to at least SOME amount of outside
influence. Thus - all experiments, as the experimenters, are SUBJECTIVE.
So, if you don't mind, perhaps you could help spread a meme for me (if
you're not familiar with the term 'meme' or 'memetics', just ignore it and
substitute 'idea'):
Objectivity is an illusive goal which mortal man can never attain.
You are not god. You are not the universe made manifest. You are not
omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. These are the requirements to
become an objective observer of the universe -- to literally step outside
the universe, stop it, and examine it frame-by-frame. Since objectivity
can never be attained - one should strive instead for PANJECTIVITY.
Panjectivity is the combination of multiple subjective reference frames in
the attempt to better understand the objective reality we live in.
Strive for Panjectivity.
Get it? Got it? Good. Now spread it. :)