Black widow spider stirs riots at University

Plus, What is the Scientific Method — in 'COVID'?; and, Mixed-race actor in hiding; and, Should I tell the CDC Director why she keeps "getting COVID," or should I just let her stew in her own juices?

Four articles today. Boom. And, before I get to the “Black widow spider stirs riots at University” story, a question…

ARTICLE ONE: What is the Scientific Method — in the context of ‘COVID’?

The debate about the existence of SARS-CoV-2, and indeed many other facets of “COVID SCIENCE”, have unearthed much ignorance about the way science operates.

The scientific method starts with the notion of a hypothesis.

A hypothesis is an assertion for which no direct confirmation is possible.

For example, the existence of an abundance of dark matter in the universe. This is matter that “does not absorb, reflect, or emit electromagnetic radiation.”

You can’t see it. But it’s there. So goes the claim.

If you could observe it, there would be no hypothesis. There would be empirical fact.

What is the status of the dark matter hypothesis? How can it be judged? Is it “scientific” or just a wild speculation?

A hypothesis is judged on its ability to predict.

Predict what? Something specific and useful which can be verified or rejected by direct observation.

Specific AND useful.

For example: Given the dark matter hypothesis, in the next five years we will see Star X-2-A in Region V-r-6 go super nova.

Is that a useful prediction? Many scientists would say yes, because it adds to our knowledge about the end of stars.

During the next five years, that particular star DOES go supernova.

The dark matter hypothesis enabled the correct prediction.

This doesn’t mean the hypothesis is confirmed. But it’s a good start. There must be other specific and useful predictions which turn out to be correct.

If so, scientists say the dark matter hypothesis is confirmed. Does that mean it’s true? Does that mean dark matter exists?

NO. It simply means the hypothesis is useful.

In a nutshell, that’s the scientific method.

But wait. There is the issue of “other possible factors.” Two scientists come forward and claim six accurate predictions of exploding stars can and should be explained by events which have nothing to do with dark matter. And so a new debate is off and running.