X-rays, pacemakers, microwave ovens, chocolate chip cookies, and countless others are all examples of inventions made by mistakes. These “mistakes” have enabled significant creations and discoveries to be made in medicine, technology, and food that would have otherwise remained nonexistent. In fact, without mistakes our world would be unable to innovate and grow into the highly developed planet we have become. In Lewis Thomas’s The Medusa and the Snail, he presents that human discovery is the result of human error rather than accuracy and precision because without error there is no trial. In the past couple centuries, many achievements resulting from mistakes uphold Thomas’s claim of useful human discovery precipitated by chance. For example, …show more content…
The idea of perfection does not have to be abandoned and the error does not have to be looked for, but rather, brought by chance. The spontaneity of mistakes is what makes human discovery great because it allows for the unknown to be regulated and rationalized without completely knowing why. This is where the phenomenon of “trial and error” occurs: “The old phrase puts it that way because this is, in real life, the way it is done.” As students, we use trial and error daily in academics and life to create something that has the chance to grow, but if it fails, the trial is started over with the knowledge of a mistake. One of the greatest trial and error cases that used science and mistakes to invent is the creation of the light bulb. Thomas Edison’s light bulb was created and finalized through many trails that ended up failing but in each trail he learned something new and helpful. Another famous trial and error case was the prohibition of alcohol in the 1920s. On a national level, the government declared that alcohol was to be removed because it was causing crime and spoiling its nation. This law was tried for a long period of time, until the government realized the law was causing more harm than good and decided to remove it. Many governmental laws and policies see this system. The court system is based around trial and error, repeatedly trying someone until they confess their crimes. In the end, the “root nodules” of mistakes embedded into the world can only be seen once the “investigator can bring himself to say. “But even so, look at that!” then the new findings, whatever it is, is ready for snatching.” Human investigation allows us to look past the science and math onto something that is perfectly accidental, and beneficial for present and future innovation. In order to “leap across mountains of information to
7. John Wisdom, Paradox and Discovery (Berkeley: The University of California Press, 1969), p. ix.
Many great scientists have found lost cities and great treasures, how? By making mistakes. Mistakes have led to great discoveries and rich people. Many errors lead to lost treasure, making new things, and you can learn from them; so you do not make the same mistake again. Therefore, mistakes are crucial part of a discovery.
Wolf, A. A History of Science, Technology and Philosophy in the 16th and 17th Centuries. Vol. 2. New York: Harper, 1959.
Many people change their position on this overarching question: What responsibility do people have when developing new technology? In the texts “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, “the Immortal life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot, and “De-Extinction” answers the questions that it may impose. Each of these texts share one same belief: Society holds heavy responsibility towards technological advancements. Throughout the article, she talks about how the HeLa helped create cures for various diseases, and how groundbreaking they are.
Unlike today, where knowledge and technology improve at a relatively frenetic pace, the intellectual temper during the sixteenth century was quite different. People back then did not expect or imagine that great leaps and bounds would be made in the realm of knowledge and were instead rather conservative and tended to respect institutions of authority (Parry, 2). Because of this reality, people generally didn’t question authority or the status quo which produced a relatively slow and unimaginative pace in the terms of scientific exploration. In fact, many scientists were afraid to run too far away from what was considered main...
At the expense of the tester’s life and the teacher’s conscience, mankind’s long-term benefits from knowledge gained from the experiment outweighs immediate negative
Diamond, J. (1987). The worst mistake in the history of the human race. Discover, 8(5), 64-66.
Atwood takes many of today’s potential scientific developments and illustrates the worst possible outcome of what may happen if we continue the unregulated pursuit of knowledge. In reality, the scientific advances of today will yield a higher standard of living for the majority of the world tomorrow. We will continue to push for the best in everything including science, medicine, and technology; we will not allow any single person to make the sole decision to develop an idea. Scientific progression will save many lives; therefore, it should and will always be there for us.
Wolf, A. A History of Science, Technology and Philosophy in the 16th and 17th Centuries. Vol. 2. New York: Harper, 1959.
Mistakes are essential for improvement, whether that’s in science or in social situations. Every error a person makes brings them closer to the right answer or a new discovery. For instance, the discovery of penicillin was based upon a mistake. However, the effect wasn’t a negative
...vercome, there is more of a chance to capture such great discoveries. People need to realize that if they never take the time to stop and look around, appreciate the small things in life, they might miss out on important details and or moments that the world has to offer. Scientist didn’t obtain their greatest discoveries by looking at the world with a closed mind. During the months of September through Novemeber, the leaves start to fall off the trees. It is obvious its fall, but what else is occurring? Gravity. Albert Einstein discovered gravity by watching and ordinary object fall. At that moment he became a scientific unscrupulous observer.
...o walks to direct his steps.” King James Version 2000. Victor proved this true, he had no ability to rectify the costly mistakes namely the deaths of his closest friends and family. Scientists today seek knowledge of things outside the predefined laws of nature. Have they truly considered the consequences of their successes now and future? Is there any way to truly know for sure the benefits versus the risks? Time will tell.
In modern days, scientific discourse between ‘normal’ and ‘revolutionary’ scientists has raised questions about what they should or shouldn 't give proper attention and further study. One example of this, is the orthodox narrative of modern human history shared by geologists and archaeologists around the world, which tells us that the first technologically advanced human civilizations started in Mesopotamia around 3,000-5,000 BC. However, a series of evidence brought forth by two science skeptics and scientists suggest that the current narrative of our history could be inaccurate. They argue that it’s possible that a lost, technologically advanced ancient civilization mapped and explored the globe with great accuracy millennia before orthodox human history tells. From this debate arises a question: Should scientists focus exclusively on driving the current paradigm to its limits and not bother challenging it, even if other theories and scientific evidence defy the paradigm?
Currently today, the use of some of Thomas’s inventions is so great that we are running out of resources to use them for, so that does not positively affect the world. However, in that time Thomas’s inventions were revolutionary and aided many. He was not a very social man, and took to rough atmospheres, where he could keep to himself. But, he was still a good and kind person and overall charming with his brilliance. For all the work he did in his lifetime, Thomas became a famous icon, but also had a Jubilee of Light ceremony dedicated to
Once upon a time, a long time ago, there lived a beautiful girl named Medusa. Medusa lived in Athens, Greece. Although there were many pretty girls in the city, Medusa was labeled the most amazingly dressed and structured.