“The more you learn about something, the more you realize you know nothing.” This saying resonates deeply with me. The truth is, no one really has all the big answers. Many in the scientific community seem to pretend they do. Let’s explore this further.
Consider the Most Fundamental Questions
- The Origin of the Universe
- The Origin of Life on Earth
The Origin of the Universe
You might think we have a solid answer: the Big Bang. However, this explanation has its limitations, and calling it a “start” can be misleading. In fact, this theory might be entirely wrong. New research challenges the Big Bang theory, and I highly recommend listening to Sir Roger Penrose for a deeper understanding.
The only substantial evidence we have is the universe’s expansion. Penrose proposes a different hypothesis: the endless expansion and contraction of the universe. This idea doesn’t contradict our current understanding.
Thus, the evidence for the Big Bang and Penrose’s theory are both radically different, yet neither can be definitively proven over the other. This highlights the limitations of our current understanding.
The Origin of Life on Earth
The origin of life is even more complex. Life requires three essential components:
- Proteins for basic functioning
- RNA for storing and replicating genes
- Lipids (cell walls) to create separation from the environment
Mathematical models suggest that while proteins and lipids have a reasonable probability of forming, the creation of RNA seems nearly impossible through random mutations in a short time frame. The best explanations indicate that we either lack crucial information or that these RNA molecules—and life as a whole—might have come from outside sources. Some scholars even question the entire random mutation model.
The Question of Certainty
If scientists don’t know the answers, why do they pretend they do? In my humble opinion, It seems they do this to distance science from religion and to close the discussion before the wealthiest can fit God into the narrative, Interestingly, I’m not alone in believing they closed the books too early.
Reclaiming Control of Science and Education
The best way to reclaim control of science and education is to learn. If you’re looking for a starting point, I highly recommend:
- “A Brief History of Time” by Stephen Hawking for physics
- “Sapiens” or “The Selfish Gene” for evolutionary biology
All three are excellent starting points—densely packed with information and covering a wide range of topics in a concise and accessible manner.