Why do so many people buy into the recently published scientific theories?  I say this because much of what is published these days is wrong.  50% of scientific papers have to be wrong based on studdies of the paper.  One big reason is papers report things that are mutually exclusive.  Many places are, also, publishing papers that are wrong to gain money from places that will pay to hear something so they report that.  I know people who have participated in this.  Many more papers still report 'theories' that are loosly based ideas and are based on other theories.  The general idea is that these have little evidence or none and what may be there is of little relevance.  To top this off some of the commonly agreed theories are even being overturned in current science but are still being taught.  So, why do people have such great faith in science?
134401
Most people don't simply believe theories.........they just acknowledge them as a possible reason or explanation.\n\nIt's called having an open mind.
576863
That's an old fundamental problem.  Mathematicians and physicists tend to disbelieve their own observations and replace their experience with empirical results and tautological proofs.
626601
You don't understand the definition of a theory and a fact do you? I presume, judging from your words, you believe that a theory is essentially a conjecture, a guess, that sort of thing? Well, you thought wrong.\n\nScientific definitions and mathematical definitions are far different and more precise than everyday language. For us, a salt is that white stuff that preserves foods and gives the food, obviously enough, that "salty" taste. In chemistry, a salt is any ionic compound formed by anions and cations so that the net charge of the compound is neutral. \n\nIn that same manner, a theory is not just a "guess." Theories and facts are not rungs on a ladder of credibility - they complement each other. Theories are really models for explaining a series of natural phenomena, backed by strong evidence. Theories explain facts. Again, they are not "guesses."\n\nAnd, in that manner, evolution is both a theory AND a fact. There is the theory of evolution, which explains it, and there is the fact of evolution. This is similar to the theory of gravity; how the theory explains the fact that gravity exist, and the reason why apples fall down and hit us on the head. \n\nThere is plenty of evidence to support evolution and it is a strongly-backed theory. Also, all theories are incomplete and subject to revision. That applies to all theories - not just evolution. The atomic theory expanded over the last century as the Bohr model evolved into the current electron-cloud model. \n\nAlso, another misconception to clear up - there is nothing proven in science; there is just evidence to support it.\n\nAlso, people who criticize evolution often forget that it doesn't deal with the origin of life, it is NOT random, that the concept of uniformitarianism in science make evolution valid, etc.\n\nI suggest you read a little.
628561
The majority of scientists work outside the field of evolutionary biology, so they technically have nothing to gain by pushing evolution, except the chance to educate the public about how science works and why it draws certain conclusions about physical evidence.  Those who work in the field have their professional reputations to think about, but that only matters, by and large, to other evolutionary biologists.\n\nI absolutely do not understand the tendency of non-science-oriented people to leap to the conclusion that the only purpose of science is to perpetrate a Giant Conspiracy geared toward the downfall of humanity.  Science and (most) scientists have no intention of destroying anything.  \n\nAll science does is look at the physical realities of the universe and devise experiments to figure out how things work.  Science properly has NOTHING TO SAY about religion.  There are no experiments that can test a hypothesis about God, or about anything supernatural.  Science does not seek to say WHO did or did not create the universe, only HOW it was done.  If you want to believe God was responsible for it, that's perfectly fine.  Science aims to figure out HOW He did it, not WHETHER He did it.\n\nSo, in answer to your last question, we should absolutely take advantage of the advancements brought about by modern science.  It would be foolish not to.
650411
yes as many religious zelots do not want to apressiate the way science works...         scientists dont just read in a book like its dogma...    they come up with a theory or hypothosys, and then test it.   skepticism is what rules science...   if you have something you want to prove, you need lots of evidence..  and then others also have to gather evidence and present it before it becomes proven as a law.   The reason evolution is still a theory goes to show the true beauty of the scientific prosses, untill it is difinativly proven it will stay as that.   Religon on the other hand just tells...  they dont test, they dont scrutinize, they say tell how it is...    how is that a more trustworthy system?   sure I could say that a majical lepricon that lives in the trees makes the oxigen we breath, but I would be totally wrong,   why becuase I just made it up!!!  I didnt test the idea, and no one else independantly verified my findings...    yes evolution has some holes, but don't come along and say that a majical white robed man in the sky is a better explination!   evolution is the best theory out there, and it has been verified in many ways that lead alot of scientist to beleive its true...  and again the true beauty of science is that if somthign better comes along, it will be soon adopted, unlike religious zelots who will not change their mind if the truth was right in front of their face!\n\n\nand to the man that said evolution violates laws!  it does not violate laws of thermodynamics you douch!  damn you fools piss me off!  If it clearly violated a law it would have been rejected long ago, unless there was evidence as to why this was true.....dont use science to back up your claims of religon you make yourself sound like an idiot!    GOD violates the laws of thermodynamics!
646896
In physical sciences there is no such thing as a proven theory. The best thing a theory can do, is to undergo innumerable tests of which not a single one contradicts it (example: the second law of thermodynamics). Then we speak of it as a reality.\n\nI'm far away from being an expert, but since there are so many different "Big bang theories"  (cosed universe, open universe...) I would say, that none is very close to being "proven" (because the appropriate experiments are not yet possible or found). \n\nHowever I think that the idea of an early universe which was very hot and dense (one of the model's crucial ideas) is widely accepted. Facts pointing in that direction are the observations of  redshifts by HubbleSpaceTeescope or the detection of an isotropic cosmic microwave background (in it's own rest-frame!)
448421
It is a shame that people don't know about this. \n\nYes, there is extensive evidence (science doesn't provide proof). There has been a massive number of studies into psi over the past one hundred years (and they continue today). If psi wasn't considered a controversial subject -- which threatens the conventional scientific worldview -- it would be accepted as fact based on the evidence alone. In fact, there is far more evidence in favor of psi than there is with regard to many areas of scientific inquiry that are today taken as fact. \n\nFor an overview of the research that has been done into psi to date, I'd suggest Dean Radin's "The Conscious Universe". You might also try doing a web search for Dean Radin who is Senior Scientist at the Institute of Noetic Science and one of the leading experts in the field. I'm sure that will lead you down the right track. (You might also look up Rupert Sheldrake.)
71763
I find it interesting that the individual producing the time cube theory claims that mathematics (and by implication, all science other than what he/she approves) is nonsense has declared that set of opinions on a medium that required the mathematical and scientific work that the individual curses...  The internet, and its support technology, has been built and supported by the stuff this fellow decries.\n\nFrom my standpoint, that's like someone cursing farmers and cooks while eating...\n\nJust my opinion, of course.  I'm the embodiment of all that he or she anathematizes: so is modern medicine.  I wonder what the person would do if he/she got pneumonia or a nasty case of malaria?\n\nTo move into new territory, of course, you have to find new thoughts to think--I think it's one of Fudd's Laws: to find what no one else has found, you have to look where no one else has looked.\n\nWith that said, I have to disagree with the content of the site, and wonder about what there is in the author's background that causes such an attitude.  Certainly, there is a strong element of lack of knowledge: math and science, as they exist at this point in time, certainly embrace both singularity and plurality, and a great deal of other things.  They're not nearly so limited as the individual in that site seems to feel they are.\n\nOh, well...  Time to move on, or I shall ramble.
509701
Because we have a PRANKSTER GOD!!!\nHe put the bones in the ground to test our faith in him....\n\nGOD: "HAHAHAHAHAHA, I'm killing me, I'm so funny!\n\nSimple truths: there is a mountain of scientific, verifiable, measurable evidence to support the theory of evolution...and the research continues and discovers new things all the time.\nThere IS NOT A SHRED of evidence for creationism.\n\nLook at the issue from a balance of probabilities...masses of scientific evidence...or a man made book (often changed/edited/translated) of fairy stories and a bunch of crack pots...now which is more likely?
256204
*sigh*\n\nand this is why people are looking to alternative atheist theories
531633
Proof is of no importance to believers, they accept without any serious research.For many the brain is a tool for evaluating input and computing probability, fact from fiction, myth from reality. For others it is a receptacle for receiving data via emotion, wishful thinking, and gullible  acceptance. Aided by social conditioning myths and legends become implanted, and alternatives ( logic, research, science etc, are shunned,and rejected in favour of belief. Myths feed the psyche of the believer, truth destroys myths, so alternative `truths` are adopted. The majority of bullshit (as you put it) comes from adherents of belief systems.
83072
What is wrong today could be viewed as right tomorrow.  Taking an unpopular side in issues takes courage.  Many a scientist took the unpopular side on issues and were laughed at, only to discover later that the one laughed at was the right one.  Go with your gut feeling.  Peace.
318826
Doesn't it seem as if people cling to their beleifs so hard, they will refuse to acknowledge anything that might question that? I mean, what if you found out that your Mom was a crackwhore for the first half of her life and you were the offspring of her pimp? (no offense to any mothers. This seems to be the case. besides, those 2000 year old beleifs, were the beleifs for 2000 years. This Da Vinci schmuk has just surfaced as a new beleif that can be considered by the mases. Or is it... global warming? I haven't read the book nor seen the movie, but I am familiar with the subject matter through schooling. When in school, or watching a movie that makes you think, it is enlightening. If we did not question things, there would be no need for Jesu, right? Why stop questioning now. I apologize, but it seems this Da Vinci controversy has surfaced the weakest of humans and found great fault in religion just by questioning it, whether true or not. The uproar confirms this. And for the twist... I agree with the author of this question, maybe not in the exact same sense. But I am God folks, not the one you all know, but my own. Think about this concept! What does God do for you? What is his purpose? Can these things be accomplished by yourself? It can be done.
13169
I think what this guy is trying to point out is the frustration with so many people being led blindly by dated or 'obsolete' ideologies. I think this question is more akin to people with 'leftist' ideals, that see in the masses a repeating pattern of spoon-fed idiocy. Whenever I think of this question, I think of the millions of people that believe in anything without questioning or analyzing the deepness of the subject. What really comes to mind is RELIGION and PATRIOTISM. So many have been led into believing things that are not even entirely certain, are very subjective and bound to relativity and seemingly created to keep a group of people in power. \nI think this person is frustrated with so many people not questioning beliefs and believing blindly just because 'tradition' demands it.\nWhat frustrates me is that I see so many backwards things and so many people not even questioning them, buying into them and being told how to be and how to act by non-founded dubious sources... this is very saddening, and yes, I think it affects us all. Open-mindedness and an analytical, critical attitude is much needed nowadays, when we're being bombarded by propaganda and lies every day. It's time for society to evolve, go beyond tradition, rid of the old attitudes that have proven wrong, and WAKE UP!
181341
The sum of human experience is finite and share many commonalities. So it is possible to say things in such general terms and yet with some level specific hints that it can pass off as a fortune reading. With people wanting so much to believe in something and hoping for something, that it is easy for opportunists to exploit it.
28535
I too am shocked at the amount of misunderstanding and especially the amount of animosity. I know many esteemed scientists (including anthropologists and geologists) that have no problem being religious and believing in evolution. If you search the internet you will find many websites giving completely non-factual descriptions of how istopic dating works and using the small amount of uncertainty to claim it refutes all sorts of science. I have even seen attempts at disproving the sedimentary record of the Grand Canyon using this. Never mind that these self-described experts have no qualifications to evaluate these things. In my opinion they are motivated by greed and not altruism. Debunking science seems to have become a cottage industry for what I consider pseudo-religious crackpots. \n\nI think the source is a recent trend as I don't remember this hostility in the 1970's or 1980's. There are now television programs that are done professionally and broadcast daily (TBS) that try to refute all sorts of science using PhD's of theology to describe why carbon dating doesn't work, and even to refute things like dinosaur trace fossils by citing the rate of diagenesis in carbonate rocks. There is a constant problem in Texas where the creationists try to remove and destroy fossils whenever a new location is found. \n\nThe mainstream media doesn't help because the reporters and editors appear to be poorly educated in science. I recently watched a CBS Sunday Morning news piece comparing evolution and intelligent design and to my horror they constantly referred to both as scientific theory- effectively equating them as equal in status to millions of viewers. They hardly even mentioned that ID is not science and that it will never qualify as scientific theory. \n\nThere seem to be so many people who never learned the scientific definition of a theory that it becomes easy to confuse the public by implying that anything labeled as a theory is only a conjecture, and I think with this weakness that far too many people decide evolution can be dismissed as unreliable and unproven. I almost wish science would create a new terminology to replace the word 'theory' in order to clear up this semantic confusion. \n\nI have been very impressed by the magnitude of this problem by watching Yahoo Answers. As a former science teacher I am very disappointed that at least part of it seems to come from many young participants. I had hoped they were getting a better education in science, and at the very least had learned better reasoning skills.
114352
This answer changes every day. The field of genetics is expanding right now, and "discoveries" are made everyday. Sometimes these are new discoveries, other times they are research that disproves another scientist's discovery. Just keep looking at the news. The sources below have all kinds of recent advancements in genetics..