 |
Science Frontiers ONLINE No. 58: Jul-Aug 1988 |
|
| 
|
Anomalistics At The Aaas Meeting
At the recent Boston meeting of the AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science), at a session entitled "The Edges of Science," P. Sturrock dealt with the "gray areas" of science -- what we call "anomalistics." In particular, Sturrock explained why mainstream science does not clasp anomalistics to its breast.
"'They are uncomfortable,' he said. 'Your friends may doubt your judgment. You may lose the respect of some of your colleagues. You will get no funding. You will have difficulty publishing your work. Your boss may think you are wasting your time.'"And, he added, 'If you don't have tenure, don't even consider it.'
"But the reasons why there should be serious consideration of at least some anomalous phenomena, Dr. Sturrock said, include the fact that 'the gray area of science is the crucial area... You may -- perhaps without knowing it -- start a scientific revolution.'
"Also, he added, 'You may be honored -- posthumously.'"
(Orndorff, Beverly; "Scientist Stresses 'Gray Areas,'" Richmond Times-Dispatch, February 16, 1988. Cr. L. Farish)