In August of 1963, The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place in the U.S., and Martin Luther King Jr. gave his most famous speech. Marching and protesting are activities that give to those who don’t feel they are being heard a voice through a powerful display of solidarity. We march to show those who run this country there are people who believe an idea is important, no matter what the idea is. It is a tool for the masses to utilize, and can cause extremely influential results.
So why march for science, or perhaps just a part of science? Science is a two-part discipline and I believe Neil deGrasse Tyson, a world-renowned astrophysicist and science communicator, said it best: “Part of what it is to be scientifically-literate, it’s not simply ‘Do you know what DNA is? ‘What the Big Bang is?’” That’s an aspect of science literacy. The biggest part of it is whether or not you know how to think about information that’s presented in front of you. This is an idea I like to refer to as the scientific philosophy. I am not asking you to march for the acceptance of knowledge and facts, I am asking you to march for a philosophy that everyone can adopt and utilize in every aspect of their lives and in their country’s future. You don’t have to give up your religious beliefs, as science and religion can co-exist. You don’t have to accept climate change or the Big Bang. I simply ask you to march to show our leaders that we need to accept a different philosophy, one that they should deploy when forming policy.
It may sound like we will be entering the planet Vulcan from the Star Trek series with people using logic and reason to guide their world views, but there is one thing that humans will always be influenced by: emotions. The thing that makes us human is emotion, and emotions will undoubtedly be incorporated into this philosophy as well. Emotion is a very powerful tool that galvanizes people to do what they believe is right. I ask you to incorporate this new scientific philosophy into your final decision of what is right and wrong. Humans are very much subjective beings, but objectivity needs a seat at the table.
On April 22nd, 2017, a March for Science is scheduled. A march to ensure science will remain an integral part of our nation’s philosophy. One march close to Bowling Green will be in Ann Arbor. Respect your neighbors and your earth during these marches and always protest in peace.
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