TED Talks Education The pursuit of ignorance | Stuart Firestein
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Sep 24, 2013 
Stuart Firestein, a neuroscientist and former professor at Columbia University, shares his unique perspective on scientific inquiry and the value of ignorance. He humorously compares real science to 'farting around ... in the dark,' stressing that understanding our limitations can be as crucial as what we already know. Firestein highlights the significance of asking the right questions and how tiny changes at the molecular level shape our perceptions. He also critiques the education system for stifling curiosity, advocating for reforms that foster critical thinking.
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Science as Dark Room Search
- Science is more like bumbling around in the dark than following a strict method.
- We often don't know if what we seek even exists, resembling the search for a black cat in a dark room.
Science Focuses on Ignorance
- Scientists mostly talk about what they don't know, not what they do.
- Ignorance drives science more than accumulated facts, as Marie Curie noted.
Course on Ignorance Taught
- Stuart Firestein started teaching a course specifically on ignorance.
- He found it rewarding to explore and share what scientists don't yet understand.
