Earlier this month, I commented on research into a possible relationship between social stratification and human sacrifice in early civilizations. Anthropologist and ESN blogger Kevin Birth quickly provided a significant critique of the study’s methodology and the underlying assumptions. I imagine that kind of discussion might raise a few eyebrows; isn’t science supposed to be objective, not to mention correct? If the study really is that flawed, how did it get published in such a prestigious journal? If it is valid, why isn’t its validity objectively clear to all scientists? We can’t even agree on who is a scientist, so how are we to figure out what science says?.
[Read more…] about Science in Review: Have You Tried Turning Science Off And Turning It Back On Again?