OPINION
Science: The Universal Language Beyond Earth
OxfordSun Aug 03 2025
What would we talk about?
- Science, probably.
- It's the one thing that connects all life, no matter where it is in the universe.
- Human concerns like politics or social issues might not even make sense to them.
- They'd likely admire their own versions of great scientists, like we do with Newton or Einstein.
Why Science is Special
- It's not just about us.
- It's not limited to one place or time.
- Unlike art or literature, science keeps growing and changing.
- The facts of science were true before humans even existed, and they'll still be true long after we're gone.
But lately, some people seem to forget this.
- They think feelings can change reality.
- For example, some argue that sex isn't just male or female.
- They say it's a spectrum, and you can choose where you fit.
- But science tells a different story.
Biologists define sex based on the size of gametes, or reproductive cells.
- In all animals and plants, female gametes (eggs) are much bigger than male gametes (sperm).
- This is called anisogamy.
- It's a universal rule, no matter the species.
- Even if some individuals can't produce gametes, the rule still holds.
Some people feel like they're in the wrong body.
- This is a real psychological condition, and they deserve sympathy.
- But calling someone a bigot or a phobe doesn't help the conversation.
- Science should be about evidence and reason, not insults.
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questions
How might the author's argument be strengthened by acknowledging the complexities and nuances within the field of biology regarding sex and gender?
Are the attacks on traditional scientific definitions of sex part of a coordinated effort to control the narrative around human biology?
What if the only common ground with aliens is our mutual confusion about human politics and social issues?
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