Practically Scientific is about how we humans have not yet embraced science – how we have not yet entered a truly scientific age – despite humanity reaping some of the benefits of science for the last several hundred years.

This insight comes from Richard Feynman:

Is no one inspired by our present picture of the universe? This value of science remains unsung by singers: you are reduced to hearing not a song or poem, but an evening lecture about it. This is not yet a scientific age.

Thus, of the multiple meanings of practical in this publication’s title I primarily mean almost. We humans (even most scientists!) have yet to fully embrace the beauty and wonder of the reality science has revealed. I will thus be exploring this sense of wonder toward our reality as revealed by science. Further, it is clear that scientists almost, not quite, think scientifically enough to optimally implement the scientific method. I will therefore also explore ways to improve how science is done.

Practical in the title also has the secondary meaning of applied. This reflects the other sense in which we humans have not fully embraced science – we do not apply scientific reasoning to the problems of everyday life. Applying the scientific method to the vast number of problems we encounter in our lives represents a major opportunity for improving the human condition. I will therefore be exploring ways to apply science to our everyday lives, such as pooling our individual experiences (data points) to reduce uncertainty in dealing with the many problems we commonly face.

Lurking behind all of these consideration is our tendency toward cognitive biases. These systematic distortions in our thinking lead us away from the reality science is revealing, despite that reality being the means to achieve our most cherished goals. I will therefore explore the many ways in which cognitive biases – broadly construed to include social biases – distort our thinking and negatively impact our lives.

Practically Scientific is written by Michael W. Cole, PhD, director of the Cole Neurocognition Lab and the Bias Research Initiative, a small non-profit organization at Rutgers University-Newark. Guests occasionally contribute as well.

Why subscribe?

Subscribe to get full access to the newsletter and website. Never miss an update.

Stay up-to-date

You won’t have to worry about missing anything. Every new edition of the newsletter goes directly to your inbox.

Join the crew

Be part of a community of people who share your interests.