#scientific method

[apoemaday]

Scientific Method

by James Tadd Adcox

Picture the ocean. No. Picture the entire thing, all at once. You are not doing it. It’s okay. One day something terrible will happen, and I will not be prepared.

[the-untalented-photographer]

[gavamont]

I have gathered a series of rats and pigeons in Skinner Boxes and subjected them to images of cursed and non cursed amulets. If they press a lever when the screen shows a non cursed amulet, a treat is dispensed.

The next stage is to show them series of amulets that have not been analyzed and when they press the lever they are still rewarded and the amulet is sorted as good.

And with this new system, I have overcome the damnable “A.I.” with real biological intelligence that will surely have no unexpected repercussions.

[robreyart]

Bioluminescence: Question, Hypothesis, Experiment Oil, 30 x 20 inches, 2020

The light of life and the scientific method. These points of light and inspiration stand in contrast to the lanterns and lights that are historically thought to be sources of illumination but are now dimmed; mythologies and superstitions humans have created as we struggled in the dark of ignorance to understand our world. But the process of science has revealed a luminous planet, glowing with the magic of biological reality, more intricate and amazing than we could have ever imagined.

Prints: https://robrey.storenvy.com

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

"Evolution is a fact, not a theory. It really happened, and the fossil record and the molecular biology all confirm it. And yet, in this country, the United States, which is the leading scientific country in the world, we have people who are not only ignorant of science, but who are actively hostile to it and to the scientific method. And that is a serious problem, because science is not just a body of knowledge, it's a way of thinking. It's a way of skeptically interrogating the universe with a fine understanding of human fallibility." -- Carl Sagan

[bunny-claws]

the scientific method in magic 🧪✨

employing the scientific method for spellwork and witchcraft in general can be super helpful for a variety of reasons. namely, it involves critical thinking to formulate and cast spells, and to assist in reflecting on your practice and methodology.

the steps involved:

observation & theory

question

form a hypothesis / make predictions

experiment

analyze the data & draw conclusions

communicate

let's use a glamour spell (in celestial magic fashion) as an example for the following bit:

✧✧ observation and coming up with a theory: i believe that i can use magic to cast a successful glamour spell that will earn me compliments on my outfit, but without being catcalled or anything of that nature.

✧✧ question: how can i reach my desired goal? how can i cast this spell in order to make it successful? what items would i need in order to do so? what day of the week or time of day would be best?

✧✧ hypothesis: if i enchant my favorite perfume with venusian energy and use it on myself and my clothes, i will reach my desired goal. if i anoint this obsidian pendant with full moon water, i can program it to add a protective shield over myself against unwanted attention from unsavory people.

✩ with the hypothesis, i think it's important to also include the timing for the spell - how long do you want the effects to last? are you doing the spell in one day or spread out over many days? maybe you just want the effects to last while you are wearing that perfume and pendant. does the perfume work without the pendant and vice versa?

✧✧ experiment: this part is kinda self explanatory - the way you perform the spell or enchantment is totally up to you.

✧✧ analyze: what went well? what didn't? what might you like to change? how did you feel during this time period? did you reach your goal in the end?

✧✧ communicate: in this case, record your findings in whatever way you see fit but you're not obligated to share them with anyone. recording your results will help you gain perspective and ultimately help you to better formulate spells in the future.

© 2025 bunny-claws

[flamingfoxninja]

At the request of no one, I have decided to take a scientific approach to Pilk, and see how it tastes. Plan is to test out ratios and see which, if any, is superior

Disclaimer: I will be using the milk i own which is Almond Milk and expires tomorrow

[stone-cold-groove]

The Copernican solar system. From the How-and-Why Wonder Book of Famous Scientists - 1964.

[mckitterick]

The 10 Non-Commandments

1. Treat others as you would want them to treat you, and can reasonably expect them to want to be treated. Think about their perspective.

2. We have the responsibility to consider others, including future generations.

3. Be open-minded and be willing to alter your beliefs with new evidence.

4. The scientific method is the most reliable way of understanding the natural world.

5. Strive to understand what is most likely to be true, not to believe what you wish to be true.

6. Every person has the right to control of their body.

7. Belief in gods is not necessary to be a good person or to live a full and meaningful life.

8. Be mindful of the consequences of all your actions and recognize that you must take responsibility for them.

9. There is no one right way to live.

10. Leave the world a better place than you found it.

source: CNN

[a-typical]

Part of the reason that children are afraid of the dark may be that, in our entire evolutionary history up until just a moment ago, they never slept alone. Instead, they nestled safely, protected by an adult, usually Mum. In the enlightened west we stick them alone in a dark room, say goodnight, and have difficulty understanding why they're sometimes upset. It makes good evolutionary sense for children to have fantasies of scary monsters. In a world stalked by lions and hyenas, such fantasies help prevent defenceless toddlers from wandering too far from their guardians. How can this safety machinery be effective for a vigorous, curious young animal unless it delivers industrial strength terror? Those who are not afraid of monsters tend not to leave descendants.

— The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark - Carl Sagan (1996)

[insanewaykathy]

Janeway: "People are going to pair up, it's normal, but that's a privilege I don't have." Janeway, some time later, when she was about to have a breakdown over the alien experiment: "Tom, can you and B'Elana stop this bullshit about letting everyone know you're having sex?! I wish I was having sex with Chakotay too, but am I? I'm not! What the fuck was I thinking when I made that shitty decision? Anyway, if you're going to have sex, do it in secret!"

[mymangamemes]

Me considering what would happen to a human heart if you put it in a vat of water

From Rewriting My Husband's Tragic Ending by Neff and Kim Cukdas

[codexofforbiddenknowledge]

Trusting science means questioning it. That’s how progress is made! 🚀🔬 What do you think?

[jone-slugger]

Wrote this for @voyagerweek! It's my favorite episode, Scientific Method :) You can also read it on AO3

A Vulcan Friendship

When she rings the chime to his quarters, Kathryn is uncharacteristically nervous. She shouldn’t be: this is Tuvok, after all. Her trusted advisor; her oldest friend on her ship; her Security chief, with thirteen department heads reporting to him. She cringes at her own words. They resound in her head as if she was saying them at that precise moment, angry, demanding. Crazed.

They haven’t really had the chance to talk about it. Sorting everything out and supervising the recovery of her crew has been her top priority.  

But she still remembers his words in her ready room when she told him she’d go to renaissance Tuscany to rest. I will join you for a glass of wine.

Of course, she hasn’t had time to go spend time in the holodeck. She isn’t even sure if he was serious in his offer of company.

Vulcans aren’t supposed to lie.

So she tells herself, and so she hopes, for she wouldn’t want anything to ruin her finest friendship aboard. Not even those aliens.

Tuvok appears at the other side of the door to his quarters, the purple lights illuminating half his face, his expression emotionless, as always.

She smiles.

“May I come in?”

“Of course, Captain”.

She follows him to his couch and sees the incense still burning on his table. It seems this experience has left everyone rattled. Even stoic Tuvok.

“Is there anything I can assist you with?” he asks, dutiful as ever. He doesn’t seem angry at her outburst in her ready room.

Vulcans aren’t supposed to feel.

That’s what her mind provides, but even she knows that’s not strictly true. They might not show emotions, or be governed by them, but Vulcans definitely feel. For a second, she wishes he were a Klingon. At least with them one could always know if something had offended them.

“I think I owe you a glass of wine in renaissance Siena?” there is a questioning tone in her suggestion, as if she were afraid of simply stating it—afraid that he might consider it an order, and not what it is: an attempt at mending anything that might have been broken during the silent alien invasion.

His eyebrow rises ever so slightly, as if wondering about her true motives.

“I merely suggested it, but it was not meant to be an obligation, Captain”.

“It’s no obligation. It’s an invitation. If you’d like to join me, I would be happy”. And grateful. And relieved.

“It would be an acceptable use of my time”, Tuvok agrees and a smile lightens up her face.

“Great! I’ll book a couple of hours on the holodeck”.

“I shall join you then”.

Kathryn nods, satisfied. There is not much else to discuss—not there, anyway. Thus, she walks out of his quarters, satisfied. Happier. Lighter.

-----------------------------------------------

Renaissance Siena is as beautiful as Kathryn remembers, and the inn she has been wanting to try for weeks does not disappoint. Tuvok joins her as soon as she calls for him, dressed in clothes of the era, and his characteristic neutral expression.

Wine soon starts flowing.

He drinks as much as her, but Vulcan physiology is stronger. She is tipsy faster than she thought she’d be. Maybe it’s time to stop drinking before she regrets it.

Or maybe she could have one more glass.

It’s the sweet, cozy haze of alcohol what makes her finally open up and tell him everything she’s been meaning to. Not that she couldn’t do it without the alcohol. But it definitely helps.

“Tuvok, I treated you quite badly th-the other day”, her words slur just a little, enough for him to close the bottle with a cork and give it to a waiter that walks behind her.

“You were being the subject of cruel experimentation, Captain. You were not yourself”.

“I feel miserable thinkinggg just how bad I treated you”.

“As I said, it was not your fault. I do not blame you for it”.

“Still. You didn’t deserve it. I knew better than that”. She tries to hug him, but he retreats, not completely comfortable with the display of tactile comfort.

He offers a hand, instead.

She squeezes it immediately, holding on to it like a lifeline. It is quite an important gesture for a Vulcan. Her friend. With his hand, he is wordlessly telling her that he is not angry, that she shouldn’t be too hard on herself, that this time she shouldn’t allow guilt to consume her. That everything is okay between the two of them.

“I’m rrrr-really sorry that I snapped at you”, she finally lands in her apology. “I hope you can forgive me. It was unprofessional of a cap'n.”

“There is nothing to forgive. And, as such, you should not concern yourself about it anymore”.

Tuvok stands up, and helps her follow suit.

“I believe you are quite intoxicated, Captain. I shall accompany you to your quarters”.

The suggestion seems acceptable, so she leans into his arm and allows him to lead the way.

“Tuvok… you’re my best friend”.

“I, too, share your sentiment, Captain”.

The hangover tomorrow is certainly going to be monumental, but today, at that very moment, Kathryn feels at peace.          

[victusinveritas]

[adastra-sf]

We make our world significant by the courage of our questions and by the depth of our answers.

- Carl Sagan