All of science is nothing more than the refinement of everyday thinking.
– Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist
Everyday thinking, or ‘stinking thinking,’ neatly separates and distinguishes neo-science, non-science and nonsense, and catalogues them for mental blockades, silly arguments, useless debates and inevitable migraines.
Even nonsense has a spot. You can only make sense of nonsense if you have refined your thinking that is geared to finding solutions instead of accepting consequences.
Bogeyman Covid-19 came very close to straddling neo-science, non-science and nonsense, or at best junk science. The entire global medical fraternity, including the World Health Organisation, were questioned by sheeple who grudgingly accepted vaccinations, and people who vehemently refused such human experiments.
Experts wore resigned looks that confirmed all doubts whether anti-Covid-19 vaccinations were universal to everyone regardless of their blood groups. Many have suffered debilitating side-effects from the vaccinations. The US Supreme Court last week handed down a judgment denouncing the manufacturers and purveyors of these insidious vaccines.
If it is not an art, then it becomes a science with formulae, methodologies and user-friendly manuals. The consumerism gene is well-oiled and well-entrenched. The people are hoodwinked into believing anything that appears in print.
Propaganda gurus and spin-masters are multiplying like hydra. It’s a lifelong career for many. Some get promoted to lobbyists. And the handphone is there as your guide and guardian goading you to not think anymore as everything has been thought out, sorted out, sought after, and microwaved into reality.
Then, there are those who are scientifically proven to be stupid. Imagine a judging a fish by its ability to climb a tree. That poor fish will go though its whole life thinking and believing that it is stupid.
Science falters when it claims to be the final arbiter. But being of unsound mind is a wholly different matter no thanks to science. And simple things need to be explained simply. If experts can’t do that, then it means they did not understand it well enough. That’s the culprit (read: government) feigning a cure (read: policies).
Politics, law and government assume pendulum and merry-go-round proportions as they vacillate and indulge in flip-flop fantasies with counter-productive policies. It’s certainly not neo-science or non-science, but it stands tall at the threshold of nonsense.
Mark Twain wondered “whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it.” This is the ultimate conditioning when the voters agree to accept the status quo without meaningful challenge and debate.
The experimentation by government with amended laws, new laws, new policies, innovative procedures, programs and projects is a frightening experience. The citizenry become the lab mice, guinea pigs and scapegoats.
You take the science of equality which claims that all persons are equal before, under, at, and in the law. Sadly, equality in a statute comes with unnecessary baggage like qualified or implied exceptions and exemptions which unmistakably define neo-science, non-science and pure nonsense.
Everyday thinking is not predictable if refinement is not the goal. Everyday thinking is the answer, solution and lasting remedy for allowing ourselves to be conditioned by the government prescribed solace and comfort. They will tell you things like ‘don’t trouble trouble till trouble troubles you.’ The Latin aphorism numquam capitis, da unum (never get a headache, give one) is a remarkable way to stay the course and keep the focus when questioning and challenging government.
Imagine the consequences if a hundred caring civic-minded people send the government hundreds of letters a week, every week, non-stop ad infinitum until the recipients are besieged by regular migraines. That defines, qualifies and elevates the neo-science of governance where non-science and nonsense clumsily collide for spectator satisfaction.
Some wise beard observed that ‘to invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk,’ which is unmistakably science with a good theory that is untested or unproven. Sounds good and looks good is what makes government tick. Many of the policies are junk science. Power and authority remain the primary focus, not the needs of the people.
Most pieces of legislation are perfect examples of junk science, like the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (Act 297) which is designed to prevent crime but not structured to physically prevent crime: An Act to provide for the more effectual prevention of crime throughout Malaysia and for the control of criminals, members of secret societies, terrorists and other undesirable persons, and for matters incidental thereto.
What a utopian grand finale if the only job for police is to prevent crime! But we are at the crossroads of dealing with laggards, losers and loudmouths who are engaging in twisting and torturing Che Guevara’s advice to “be realistic and do the impossible.” After the Cuban judiciary failed him, Fidel Castro and his men did the impossible by overthrowing Fulgencio Batista despite Uncle Sam’s unwavering support.
See, it’s so easy to decapitate neo-science, non-science and nonsense if response-able government is no longer a proverb. No headaches are possible without a head.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
