It’s not often as an adult that I have pondered the story of “The Tower of Babel” from the bible. But recently I was reminded of the story and how it connects to this day and age. Let me refresh your memory (if you care to read it yourself, the complete story can be found in Genesis 11).
As the story goes, everyone on Earth spoke the same language. They decided to band together and create a city so they could grow and expand as a people. To anchor their new city as the center of the world and to prove they were equal to God they conspired to build a tower up to the heavens. A structure larger and more wonderful than anything God had created. They brought all of the smartest minds together to plan it out. They acquired the best materials they could find, and thus they began their climb to heaven and equality to God. We have our very own Tower of Babel here in 2020. It’s called science. More specifically its called research.
The human race has learned some things in the past 200 years that has catapulted us to incredible levels of achievement! We’ve walked on the Moon and driven RC cars on Mars. We’ve created nanotechnology and connected the planet via the Internet. Access to nearly all the knowledge and learning of humanity fits in your hand, sometimes two hands depending on which version of iPhone you have (yet we use it to argue with people on facebook). Science has led us to some incredible feats and we would not be the same without it. BUT have we put too much trust in science?
I read research papers nearly every day. I hate it. It’s dull. It’s boring. It stinks! But it’s important that I know what is happening in the health field so that I can better serve you! What I have found is that nearly all research is incomplete. They always miss or leave out something thus they cannot come up with a definitive conclusion. The researchers generally conclude that “more studies need to be done” no matter how convincing their study or results were. The funny part is when I tell people about the research paper I read. All I have to do is start the sentence with “research says” or “I read a research paper” and no one ever questions me! They believe that if research says so then it must be true! Only twice have I been asked for a reference and even then I doubt those people read them.
Research is held in an almost Godlike reverence in our country. It is held above question and reproach because we don’t fully understand how it works. We blindly believe whatever the scientists tell us! These are the smartest people on the planet. They must know better than us! I’m here to tell you that you must QUESTION ALL RESEARCH. Let me tell you why.
We assume that all researchers are altruistic: We assume researchers have our best interests in mind. They do it to further the human race and advance science. While many are very good people, most researchers are in it for a paycheck and do as their boss tells them. With any study you first have to follow the money. Who paid for the research to be done? Who is benefitting from this study? Did you know that the FDA made it so that all new drugs must be studied by the companies who make and profit from the drugs? If I were going to make a billion dollars on a new product I’d probably be biased in my research.
We assume the person talking about the research is unbiased: Whether it’s me, a news anchor, or a politician, who ever is telling you about a study is biased. They read something that fits into their way of thinking and in retelling it or rewriting it, they skew it to fit into what they want to say! If you want to be accurate, you must read the entire research yourself (not just the summary) and never parrot something you heard.
We assume that we know how things work: We don’t fully know how ANYTHING works! Our world is so incredibly complex and wonderfully made that we will never know all of its workings! Astrophysicists are some of my favorite people because with all of their knowledge of the universe they freely admit that they have no clue how 80% of it works! They call it dark matter and now dark energy because even with all the learning of the human race they still have no clue what’s going on! And that’s the void of space! How much more complex and intricate is the living human body. We have only begun to scratch the surface on how living things function. So if we don’t know EXACTLY how it works, is it possible to come to any real conclusions through studies?
We assume all variables have been taken into account: It is and always will be impossible to take into account every variable! There are so many things outside of our understanding that it is simply arrogant to think that we have addressed every variable. Without every variable measured research simply cannot be complete. “But research proved this drug is effective at….” But what else is that drug doing?? What are the long-term effects? What if it alters your genes and your future children are affected? What if it’s doing irreversible damage to your brain? That is why all medicines come with a laundry list of side effects. They simply have no clue how your body is going to react. But hey, you don’t have a runny nose for 8 hours! All variable must be taken into account before you can draw any conclusion.
The people of Babel thought they knew something. They put all of their faith and efforts into human knowledge and understanding. They decided they knew more than God. But as the story goes, God stepped in and proved them wrong. No one knows where this world is heading. But one thing is certain; we’d all be a lot better off if we stopped blindly assuming that science and research were the end all be all and we started thinking through things with logic and reason!
If you live in Southern Colorado, the Colorado Springs, North Gate, Monument, Palmer Lake area and you know there is something beyond science and research especially as it comes to life and health, give us a call! We’d love to be a part of your health journey beginning today!
In Health and Faith,
Dr. Marc
Northgate Family Chiropractic
(719) 419-7955
12245 Voyager Pkwy
Colorado Springs, Colorado
80921