Reflection 1: Umbrellaology

Defining Science

 What is science? I describe science to be the way to understand everything around us. From the subatomic to the universal, things are happening. Action and reactions are occurring and for us to understand and explain these things, we use science. There is a method to it, the scientific method. Basically we start with observation. We look, taste, touch, feel, or use any other way to observe an occurrence. We try to find some sort of pattern and ask ourselves questions like "why?", "how?", and most importantly, "what if?" This "what if?" leads us to our hypothesis. A prediction base on our observations of what would happen if some variable was changed. We perform an experiment based around this hypothesis, changing the variables in question. The outcome of the experiment may or may not support our hypothesis, but we must document everything we do, refine our hypothesis if not supported by the experiment, and if it does, communicate it to other people who must then be able to recreate our experiment and conclude with the same outcome. This communication is the key to creating a strong understanding of everything. We build and expand base on the work and experiments of others. 

 

Science is understanding ourselves and our world.

 Umbrellaology: A real science?

Based on the letter sent and the information given to us, Umbrellaology might be real science. Sure the name is made up, but the real basis of science are there. The person observed and gathered data around umbrellas. Made questions of why and what ifs. Hypothesis were created and surveys and experiments were made around these hypothesis, which then supported or not the prediction. Every data was gathered and documented, and updates are made very often and in accordance to new data. 

 

Is this a new creation though? Not really. It is basically a subtopic of already established sciences. Just how in astronomy one might focus just on planets (planetary astronomy) or on biology one might focus more on fungi (mycology), umbrellaology seems to be just a subtopic combination of statistics, sociology, and maybe even psychology, all just based around the umbrellas. In any case though, the information the person gathered around umbrellas will definitely be useful to these branches of sciences.

 

 

 

Comments

  1. Sarah MedinaFebruary 15, 2021 at 5:02 PM

    Lenin! I love the way you defined science as a mutual understanding between us and the world. Science is definitely about understanding and gaining knowledge to describe the world around us. As a person in science, the scientific method is almost second nature to me so the fact that you included it definitely adds to your definition and to help non-science people get the mindset to really grasp what science is all about.

    I also love how open minded you were when pointing out that umbrellaology technically a subset or subtopic of science that can contribute to different branches in the scientific realm. It's definitely something I dont think I conveyed in my response, but I'm glad you did. It is true that umbrellaology has "passed" or "followed through" the check points that could classify it as a science, but in the eyes of many, it is not a new feat or discovery.

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  2. Marcus DormenaFebruary 16, 2021 at 7:57 PM

    Hey Lenin, I enjoyed your definition of what science means to you. The way you described it greatly displays the essence of science as a whole. Your idea that science explains the world around us is a very valid point that many can agree on. I also agree with the fact that Umbrellaology can be viewed as a subtopic in psychology, so it's interesting that you and I share similar views on this topic.

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  3. Percy MartinezFebruary 17, 2021 at 7:32 PM

    Hello Lenin,

    Great post. You're a romantic!

    I appreciated very much your detailed definition of science, well supported by the inclusion of the scientific method, which can literally be applied to any aspect of our lives. Hence, your final statement about "defining ourselves and our world" strikes a chord. I agree with you.

    I am intrigued, however, by the angle you take with Umbrellaology, in classifying it as a subtopic of already established sciences. But, if it is that, then isn't everything a subtopic of everything else? That being said, I do believe that Freud would have had a blast with all the data this guy collected.

    While we disagree on its validity as a science, your angle is very much appreciated.

    ReplyDelete

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