" When values are misidentified in this discipline, what happens? The
closest example I can think of is the shift in understanding "evil"
invasive species which are believed to be coercing ecosystem changes
but in fact may be valuable indicators of what is going on in a system."
Well, let' see: "evil", "believed", "coercing", "valuable". These
are terms an editor might look askance at. "Evil" is a religious
term. The ecological equivalent might be "efficient". Most scientists
deal in theories that stand or fall based on the preponderance of
evidence collected to test hypotheses that collectively test a
theory. E.g. "How odd it is that anyone should not see that all
observation must be for or against some view to be of any service."
--C. Darwin 1861.
Cheers,
David
At 10:59 AM 2/13/2012, Beyhan Titiz wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> Recently, I watched the movie "Moneyball" even though I am absolutely
> clueless about baseball. The movie has not changed this fact however, the
> underlying story was fascinating, especially if you are familiar with the
> concepts and books of Michael Lewis. The main point that I took away was
> about the importance of asking the right questions about a well-established
> "game", and redefining the concept(s) of value using math and appropriate
> statistics. When values are misidentified in a game such as baseball, the
> consequences are almost invisible; the games are still played, players are
> still traded, hotdogs and tickets are still sold. There are just wrong
> choices of players that is considered as unfortunate picks by dinosaur
> scouts. This movie inspired me to think about the primary values defined in
> Ecology. What are those values that function in Ecology and/or communicated
> to societies? When values are misidentified in this discipline, what
> happens? The closest example I can think of is the shift in understanding
> "evil" invasive species which are believed to be coercing ecosystem changes
> but in fact may be valuable indicators of what is going on in a system.
> I would love to hear your thoughts.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> *Beyhan Titiz Maybach, PhD
> University of Denver, Colorado
> <http://www.beyhanmaybach.com>*
>
David Cameron Duffy
Professor of Botany and Unit Leader
Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit (PCSU)
University of Hawai`i
3190 Maile Way St. John 410
Honolulu, HI 96822-2279
(808) 956-8218 phone
(808) 956-4710 fax / (808) 956-3923 (backup fax)
email address: [email protected]
