Why is this a subsection of Science & Mathematics?

Question

Don't you think it's inappropriate to group such a ridiculous juvenile excuse for pseudoscience in the Science & Mathematics category, which should be home to actual science? Shouldn't this be a subcategory in the r****d section or something?

Answer 1

"It is better to close your mouth and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."

10 years ago Rogue Waves were claimed to be mythological pseudo-scientific excuses for naval incompetence.

As few as 30 years ago Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics  were considered lame pseudo-scientific wish fulfillment.

Tsunamis used to be paranormal phenomena.

Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, in spite of the overwhelming scientific study devoted to them, are still paranormal events.

Washing your hands before preparing and eating food is still considered by some to be a silly religious ritual.  Before the proof that disease could be transmitted by organisms too small to see, doctors who practiced the ridiculous ritual of washing their hands before treating patients were scorned by their colleagues.

Homeopathic medicine and Accupuncture are still frowned upon by some as pseudo-science, even when they produce repeatable results and benefits.

Chemistry grew out of Alchemy, which is now called a pseudo-science in spite of the fact that we now know that we can, in fact, transmute lead into gold.  The process is simply too expensive to be feasible.

Answer 2

Well, considering there are Universities with Schools of Paranormal Study, and also taking into consideration that anything not understood (Round Earth theory, Heliocentric theory, bacteria, the Ka, Aurora Borealis/Australis, GUT, foo fighters, etc.) are all paranormal until they have been discovered and understood, I would say that this does count as a science.  And paranormal studies are pursued through conventional scientific procedures, after all.

Answer 3

See the forum link below. YA put it here because they thought that scientific testing was used in the paranormal. Their intention was to have a scientific forum for paranormal in the Sci & Math category, but unfortunately it's turned into a circus of ghost stories, spirit guides, curses and spells, crystals and all sorts of woo-woo that are about as far removed from science as can be.

I think this is a legitimate category to have, but place it somewhere else. Perhaps under Society & Culture.

Answer 4

I don't know if I would put it so coarsely (r****d?), but I agree with your sentiment.  The Alternative category really should be in the Mythology section.  If the field of parapsychology actually had an active research industry then it should be welcome in the Science section, but alas it doesn't.  It's adorable to see how some people think otherwise.

But while we're at it, shouldn't Science be one category and Math another?

Answer 5

coz everything discussed here is science

Answer 6

I was lobbying for it to be moved to Entertainment along with Horoscopes, but no luck so far.  I don't even bother with the horoscope section, despite being an astronomer, but as long as this section remains in the Science section, I'll be here trying to explain that to people.

Answer 7

Its good to keep the bridge open, some are confused or not trained in science but that is not the same thing as being dumb.

that said, no merci for charlatans.

Answer 8

Science includes nonsense.

Answer 9

Modern science exists from the centuries of research done surrounding the paranormal. If your so curious, why not do some research into the history of science and you shall find your answer.

Answer 10

Because it is serious science to find out what's up. Evidently you are not enough of a scientist to even care....