Video: "Science Is Real" - They Might Be Giants
If any video or song from They Might Be Giants' excellent new CD/DVD set Here Comes Science will generate controversy, it's the leadoff track "Science Is Real." "I like those stories / about angels, unicorns, and elves / Now, I like those stories / As much as anybody else / But when I'm seeking knowledge / Either simple or abstract / The facts are with science / Science is real," the Johns sing, and I suppose there are going to be a few people in the angel camp who are displeased. (I guess they can join the displeased unicorn and elvish factions.) Now, I don't actually think of this song as being anti-religion (I personally subscribe to a faith that has room for science), but there may be folks who disagree. Listen, watch, and decide for yourself (which is, uh, one of the implicit themes of the whole album).
They Might Be Giants - "Science Is Real" [YouTube]
Comments
It's funny. Ben has issues with this song, but from a science perspective. He thinks there's too much tendency to treat science as a collection of facts when really what it is is a process and a way of looking at the world, a way of thinking. It's not something that is a matter of assertion. To him, the song was too much of that point of view and "I say it's real, you say it's not" and that's not a helpful debate in his view.
It's a difference between accepting a view of the world because someone says that's the way it is, in which case science and religion have equal standing - and having the view that the world can be tested and explained. Ben thinks the testing and critical thinking are important and are mentioned only passingly in the song.
I dig the song and am not bothered by any of it's potentially controversial points.
Posted by: debinsf | September 9, 2009 11:14 PM