• Xhieron@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    Say more about this? Why is it a worse profession? Anywhere I can get a layperson-friendly deep dive on this (that doesn’t require a graduate degree in mathematics)? I’m fascinated by the nuance between niche academic disciplines and the “politics” of academia.

    • FiniteBanjo@lemmy.today
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      4 months ago

      Don’t ask me, man, I used to be an engineer. I figure it’s kind of like being a poet and suddenly you’re designated as a semantic English Teacher.

    • sorter_plainview@lemmy.today
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      4 months ago

      AFAIK it is just a form of elitism, where they argue applied science exists only because theoretical scientists “did” something. Like you are just using someone’s stuff.

      Another thing is theoretical science “indicates” advancement of science, where the applied side is just growth in sideways.

      • Tryptaminev@lemm.ee
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        4 months ago

        This kind of reductionism is hilariously unscientific.

        Many theories were only able to advance after we had the tools to experimentally review them and quite frankly often weed the bad ones out. Modern tools like computing enable the development of theories that before were unimaginable, leaving aside the necessity of modern communication to grow and share knowledge.

        Or in other words: Nobody who now writes his theories on chalkboard would have done so with charcoal on a cave wall after hunting mammoths during the day.