What is replication crisis in science ?

The replication crisis (also called the replicability crisis and the reproducibility crisis) is an ongoing methodological crisis in which the results of many scientific studies are difficult or impossible to reproduce. Because the reproducibility of empirical results is an essential part of the scientific method, such failures undermine the credibility of theories building on them and potentially call into question substantial parts of scientific knowledge. The replication crisis is frequently discussed in relation to psychology and medicine, where considerable efforts have been undertaken to reinvestigate classic results, to determine both their reliability and, if found unreliable, the reasons for the failure. Data strongly indicate that other natural, and social sciences are affected as well.

Let me clarify that I love science, research and books written by scientists. But ! I take also into consideration different attributes, for example how old is the scientist who wrote the book (I love when the book is about the research and experience of a scientist that is 92 years old and it’s her/his lifetime’s work), what examples does she/he gives us, are they part of our everyday life or just a lab research ?, when I google her/his names does any controversy pop up that her/his research was funded by powerful corporation ? Most research funding comes from two major sources: corporations (through research and development departments) and government (primarily carried out through universities and specialized government agencies; often known as research councils). A smaller amount of scientific research is funded by charitable foundations, especially in relation to developing cures for diseases such as cancer, malaria, and AIDS. 

I do not want to appear like a  smartass or suggest that I am smarter than any scientist. But I really am amazed if talking to a person that is supposted to be much smarter than me (at least on paper) and she/he admits that they have no idea about barefoot shoes benefits, about breathing done right, about the fact that LED lights disrupt our sleep, about benefits of cold water exposure, about planned obsolescence and many others… in my head I ask: We know how to open someone’s heart and fix it (I admire all surgeons greatly, in my eyes you are all superhuman !) and how to put person on the moon but at the same time people who write books, influence the public are not aware of the “simple stuff”. 

I used to put many people on pedestal, especially those who supposedly “made it”, meaning they are wise and independent, but the older I am and more things I try, more books I read I’m finding out that reality is far away from what proposed by general public.

Now when I see someone who’s an expert, entrepreneur, an “inspiration” I ask: 

• what was the “starting line” in life of a person preaching she/he “made it” and you should listen ?
• how she/he got there, was it by pure luck or by “trial and error” ?
• is she/he aware that being disciplined and being opened to an idea that “I might be wrong” never ends ?

That’s why I many times say use “common sense”, because it is often times stronger than scientific opinion or words of an expert who is sure that she/he’s correct, but results proposed and changes to be made were tested in laboratory environment only, not in a “real world”, where everything interacts !

Is your grandma right ?

The best thing about some wise older people is their look you get when you speak about something exciting that’s gonna change the world once again. Why they give us that weird look is because that “special new thing” is usually gone in 2 years, replaced by the “next big thing”, they’ve seen it already 20 times and it always failed. (they might say start a family and stop screwing around, or think about your future and forget about bitcoin bullshit…) I also many times didn’t listen when I was young and I see it as normal, young people should be stubborn and question “old beliefs” (that’s how I gained knowledge I write about), but should also be opened to an idea that “new” might not be always “better”, and the more things change the more they stay the same. Don’t get me wrong, I am absolutely not promoting an idea that every old person should be listened to and have a right to dictate what is right or wrong, but they have a point many times coming from experience and I for example absolutely agree with them that it is not normal that kids are raised with so called “smartphone” in their hands almost immediately they are able to hold it, they are not taught by their parents that we are connected to the nature and we humans need to interact in person much more. And that we should also care much less about our online presence and instead try to build strong relationships with our peers and family and most imporantly with our children. 

That’s why I say, sometimes it is much wiser to listen to your grandma and after her advice proves to be wrong check scientific papers 🙂 (You know I’m oversimplifying but many times it is just our “ego” that prevents us from seeing the simple solution and recognizing that the other person might be right. At the same time be aware that Replication crisis is real and new is not always better !)

For full wikipedia article on Replication crisis topic click here

Take care, talk to you soon.