'Science involves confronting our absolute stupidity'

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/05/the_importance_of_being_stupid.html

From the Journal of Cell Science, by way of The Make Blog.

Second, we don't do a good enough job of teaching our students how to be productively stupid - that is, if we don't feel stupid it means we're not really trying. I'm not talking about `relative stupidity', in which the other students in the class actually read the material, think about it and ace the exam, whereas you don't. I'm also not talking about bright people who might be working in areas that don't match their talents. Science involves confronting our `absolute stupidity'. That kind of stupidity is an existential fact, inherent in our efforts to push our way into the unknown.

So...the next time you hear some knuckle-dragging creationist haul out that hoary old cliche about 'Scientists think they know everything' or 'Science can't explain everything' or 'You scientists may be smart but you're still going to hell', point them to this article.

Actually, don't bother. Just tell them to fuck off. It's not like we have time to put up with that bullshit.

Good evening!