Science

We’ve started watching the TV show Cosmos, (with Neil deGrasse Tyson), on Netflix. I first got Calfgrit9 to watch the first episode with me, and it captured his interest and imagination. During and after the show, I answered his questions about science and the universe, and I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation.

A few days later, we brought Calfgrit13 into the second episode, and he, too, found it very interesting. Then a couple days later, again, we all three watched another episode.

I’m glad my boys are both showing interest in science and our universe. Although I have an “Arts” major, (Bachelor of Arts in English), I am fascinated by science, especially astrophysics. I literally have Stephen Hawking’s books and NdT’s books in the drawers of my nightstand, beside my bed. I’ve read a handful of other such texts over the years, and I just love learning about the universe.

I graduated with the English degree, but I started my college career, (the first three years), in Computer Science, with all the math that major requires. And I currently work in a job and company that has me surrounded by scientists and engineers, (though, sadly, not “space scientists”). It really makes me happy to see both my boys interested in science — they both make A-level grades in their science classes.

A few weeks ago, we also watched an older show, Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed, through YouTube. I consider this a scientific-ish show because magic tricks are as much science and engineering as they are showmanship. It’s fun to see how the tricks are actually performed, and it shows my boys that you can and should question and think about what someone presents to you.

I want my boys to understand the concept of the scientific method. I want them to think, examine, and inquire about the world, the universe, and what other people present to them. I don’t want them to fall for myths, misunderstandings, and lies. It’s fun to wonder, “What if?” about things, like Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, UFOs, ghosts, and such. But I also don’t want them easily fooled without giving these kinds of things logical thought.

Will this make them better people? I don’t know. But I do hope it will armor them against ignorance, misdirection, and deception. And besides, it’s my experience that although looking at the world more scientifically may reduce the thrill of the little unknowns, (like Bigfoot and ghosts), it opens up more interesting questions about the big unknowns.

Bullgrit