Mapping the Unseen Territories of Empiricism - Part 2

Hi there! We've just stepped into February, and I find myself tempted to stray from my New Year's resolution of achieving financial sustainability by contemplating new ideas for implementation this year. However, it's crucial to exercise restraint and recall my initial goals. The purpose of reflecting at the end and beginning of each month is to keep the overarching objectives in mind, preventing unnecessary pivots. Today, let's delve into the topic of empiricism, which is the continuation of our ongoing conversation, but first..

Weekly Inventory Check

As January comes to a close midweek, the weekend provides an opportune moment for reflection and revitalisation. Take this time to engage in a meaningful process of writing, where you jot down your thoughts, experiences, and any insights gained throughout the month. Reflect on both your achievements and areas for improvement, allowing a comprehensive understanding of your progress and goals.

Mapping the Unseen Territories of Empiricism - Part 2

In my previous newsletter, I discussed empiricism and its limitations, but now I'll share how it has influenced my thoughts and actions in both personal and professional realms. So, where did all of this newfound interest in empiricism come from? Typically, I focus on topics like habit-building and communication. However, raising a daughter in today's world of information overload prompted me to turn to science for guidance. My wife and I rely heavily on scientific principles to ensure we provide our daughter with the best upbringing possible.

Growing up in Pakistan, I didn't have much exposure to scientific knowledge. Most of what I learned was based on traditional wisdom and the experiences shared by our elders. When it comes to raising my own daughter, I find myself doing things differently from what my parents did with me. However, I turned out fine, but that's just based on my personal experience, not the norm. Science operates on averages and not absolutes. For example, we all know that smoking is bad for health, but there are people who smoke their whole lives and live long. This doesn't mean science is wrong; it just means that, on average, smoking increases the risk of cancer. Anecdotal evidence and averages can sometimes mislead us. My wife is very strict about following scientific recommendations, like setting specific nap times for our daughter based on research findings. While I understand the importance of scientific guidelines, I also believe that what works for us as a family is crucial. Babies are unique, and research on them is limited because they can't be experimented on like adults. I see the value in combining both approaches—traditional and scientific—to raise our daughter effectively. It's about finding a balance that works for our family.

Much of the medical world focuses on research conducted primarily with white, middle-aged men. This preference for this demographic stems from their accessibility for studies and trials, as obtaining consistent and reproducible results is a cornerstone of scientific inquiry. However, this practice highlights a bias in medicine and science as a whole. It's crucial to recognize that science often operates on averages rather than absolute truths.

It's essential to understand the difference between personal anecdotes and averages. While science does work on averages and on reproducible results, it doesn't mean the information isn't true. The emphasis on reproducible results means that what's true in research is generally true for most people, especially in the case of white, middle-aged men often chosen as the sample group as their biology is so consistent that they can always reproduce the results. However, this approach may not account for variations in women, the elderly, or children due to their hormonal changes and unique physiological characteristics.

Acknowledging these exceptions is important, but it doesn't diminish the value of scientific information. It simply underscores the need to be aware that individual experiences may not always align with the average. Therefore, when interpreting scientific findings, it's crucial to consider the context and potential variations, keeping in mind that personal circumstances might not fit the mold of the average.

When discussing medicine and the influence of social sciences, an entirely separate debate unfolds. Moreover, this debate extends beyond the inherent complexities and encompasses the biases introduced through funding sources. Companies or organizations funding research often bring their own biases and shape research goals in alignment with their interests. For instance, the tobacco industry may emphasize smoking as the issue, diverting attention from the broader implications of tobacco. Similarly, in the 90s, the sugar industry may have wrongly targeted fat as the culprit, obscuring the actual impact of sugar. This pattern of influence persists across various sectors, underscoring the importance of scrutinizing research funding sources and their potential impact on shaping narratives.

Want More?

·  This article discusses the bias in research and provides the insight into the ways of recognising sources of bias and avoiding it in research.

·  In this article, the author thoroughly and critically analysis the concept of empiricism.

·  This article discusses under what circumstances and for what reasons do individuals act based on flawed scientific information? Analysing the impact of anecdotes and pre-existing beliefs on decision-making grounded in evidence.

Reel of the Week

Check out our reel of the week. Here I talk about why fact checking is important and that we shouldn’t be believing everything we see or read on the internet. Although it’s upon the institutions or media to only deliver the truth but unfortunately it does not happen so it becomes our responsibility to play our part and fact-check.In this discussion, I emphasize the significance of fact-checking and highlight the importance of not blindly trusting everything encountered on the internet. While the responsibility lies with institutions and the media to provide accurate information, the reality is that this doesn't always happen. Therefore, it becomes our individual responsibility to actively engage in fact-checking and contribute to ensuring the accuracy of the information we encounter.

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The Weekly Vasl Podcast

Our episode on Understanding low voter turnout in individualistic cultures like in USA & Europe is out now! You can watch it below! William and I were back for another heart-to-heart podcast, diving into the fascinating world of individualism in the West versus collectivism in the East. As we chatted, we unpacked how these mindsets impact our lives, creating peer pressures that touch everything from our mental well-being to our political landscape. We explored the extremes that both mindsets can lead to, causing issues like depression and mental health struggles. It's not just a mental and emotional tug-of-war; we highlighted how extreme individualism might make us politically aloof, skipping out on crucial moments like voting. On the flip side, collectivism, while fostering unity, has its own set of challenges, as seen in Japan where traditional values sometimes clash with personal struggles, leading to drastic measures. With elections buzzing worldwide, this podcast is a must-watch, promising an engaging exploration of how our beliefs shape not just our minds, but our societies.

We are also on Spotify, Apple, Google, and wherever you listen!

The Meet up

Our Upcoming meet up is scheduled for 11th of February where we're revisiting our lineup from last year, kicking off with a lunch accompanied by engaging conversation. Use this link to mark your attendance.

The Round Table

Our Round Table is going strong. I am happy that the participants are quite engaging and each individual is contributing with a problem solving approach - exactly what this cohort is all about - group thinking and problem solving!

Thoughts to Leave You With

My intention is not to assert that the scientific method is flawed. Rather, I emphasise the need to adopt a more scientific approach in navigating the abundance of information available to us. This entails conducting personal experiments to determine what works best for our individual circumstances. If a particular approach doesn't yield the desired results, it's essential to explore alternatives and continuously iterate, adjusting our methods.

Rather than blindly adhering to research findings or parental advice, it's crucial to experiment and assess what genuinely works for us and our unique systems. In areas such as raising children, dietary choices, and financial planning, a one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective because we all have distinct needs and preferences. Embracing the scientific method means acknowledging the absence of a universal solution and actively engaging in experimentation to discover our own balance and goals. In my journey, particularly in navigating parenthood with my little daughter, I aspire to find the right path during these challenging times.