![]()
El día del escepticismo científico, la alquimia y la Química moderna.
Hoy 20 de diciembre de 2010 se conmemora el decimocuarto aniversario del fallecimiento de Carl Sagan. Por este motivo, desde el año pasado se celebra el Día del Escepticismo y Contra el Avance de las Pseudociencias, al que numerosos blogs del mundo nos vamos a adherir. Es una buena oportunidad para denunciar el auge que ciertas «prácticas» están alcanzando entre la población.
Los científicos tenemos que decir basta ya de parasicologías, pulseras milagrosas, homeopatías, quiromancia, astrología, ufología, numerología, grafología, etc… En España, el asunto está tomando una deriva peligrosa cunado observamos que las universidades públicas están permitiendo, e incluso financiando, actividades relacionadas con la pseudociencia.
El debate científco sólo se puede seguir con las reglas del Método Científico. Es muy importante que los científicos nos tomemos este asunto en serio y que seamos capaces de transmitir a la sociedad, datos y opiniones contrastadas científicamente. Una de nuestras obligaciones es contribuir a aumentar la Cultura Científica del ciudadano, para que este pueda tomar decisiones y opinar con base científica sobre cuestiones que afectan a nuestar vida.
El origen de la química fue la alquimia. Aunque los alquimistas realizaron numerosos experimentos que pudieron ser útiles en ciertos aspectos de la Química (especialmente relacionados con técnicas experimentales), la influencia de la alquimia en el desarrollo científico de la Química fue nefasto, pues la impidió alcanzar una madurez científica durante siglos (a diferencia de lo que ocurrió con la Física). Hoy en día, ningún científico serío realizaría experimentos alquimistas, aunque nos lo quieran «vender» como algo científico, como ha ocurrido con el reciente artículo en PÚBLICO sobre el «Newton alquimista» (algo ya conocido hace muchísimos años, auque intentado ocultar por dignidad y respeto hacia el personaje).
La unidad de materia en Química es la molécula. Puesto que la molécula es muy pequeña, se usa el concepto de mol (un Número de Avogadro de partículas, el Número de Avogadro es aproximadamente 602.200.000.000.000.000.000.000, ¡un número de 24 cifras!). Esta cantidad (o sus múltiplos o divisores) se usa para expresar cantidades de manera científica en Química. Si se especifica el número de moles en un determinado volumen o peso de un medio, se está hablando de concentración, otro concepto fundamental en la Ciencia de la Química. El uso de estos conceptos tiene valor comparativo entre las sustancias químicas presentes en un medio o sistema. El empleo de cualquier otra magnitud no tiene sentido en Química y sólo sirve para crear confusión o un titular en los medios de comunicación. Por eso, noticias como «El río Ebro carga con 620 kilos de cocaína y 430 kilos de otras sustancias» o «El aire de Barcelona y de Madrid contiene varias drogas en suspensión y, entre ellas, destaca la cocaína«, dónde no se especifica la concentración (por cierto, del orden de 0’0000000000001 molar, ¡casi cero!) no tienen ningún valor científico.
Direcciones de interés sobre escepticos científicos:
Sociedad para el Avance del Pensamiento Crítico
Bernardo Herradón
IQOG-CSIC

Skipped the comments to avoid spoilers and came back later to find them genuinely worth reading, and a stop at progressblueprint extended that surprised respect, when the discussion below a post matches the quality of the post itself you have found something special and this site appears to attract that kind of audience.
Picked a single sentence from this post to remember, and a look at signalactivatesgrowth gave me another to keep, content that produces memorable lines is doing more than just transferring information and the small selection of sentences I keep from each reading session is one of the actual returns I get from reading carefully.
Reading this on a difficult day was a small bright spot, and a stop at strategicconnectionbond extended that brightness, content that improves a hard day is content that has earned a particular kind of place in my reading habits and this site is occupying that uplifting role for me today which I appreciate clearly.
Really clear writing, the kind that makes you want to share the link with someone who has been asking about the topic, and a quick browse through signalfeedsmomentum only made me more sure of that, the information here stays useful long after the first read is done which says a lot.
A thoughtful piece that did not strain to be thoughtful, and a look at directionalintelligence continued that effortless quality, when thinking shows up in writing without the writer drawing attention to it you know you are reading something genuinely considered rather than something performing the appearance of consideration which is also common online.
Reading this confirmed that the topic deserves more careful attention than it usually gets, and a stop at longtermtrustnetwork extended that elevated framing, content that raises the appropriate weight of a subject without being preachy about it is serving a quiet but important editorial function for the broader cultural conversation about it.
Skipped a meeting reminder to finish the post, and a stop at claritybuilderhub held me past another reminder, when content beats meetings the writer is doing something extraordinary because meetings have institutional support behind them and yet good writing can still occasionally win that competition for attention which I find heartening today.
Bookmark earned and the bookmark feels like a permanent addition rather than a maybe, and a look at actionpathfinder confirmed that permanent status, the difference between durable bookmarks and ephemeral ones is something I have learned to feel quickly and this site triggered the durable feeling almost immediately during my first read here.
Felt energised after reading rather than drained, which is unusual for online content these days, and a look at directionchannelsprogress continued that good feeling, content that leaves you better than it found you is rare and worth bookmarking when you stumble across it for the first time today or any other day really.
A piece that did not lean on the writer credentials or institutional backing, and a look at directionalprocess maintained the same focus on substance, content that earns trust through quality rather than through name dropping is the kind I find most persuasive and this site is clearly playing on the substance side of that distinction.
Skipped the TLDR thinking I would read everything anyway, and ended up enjoying the path through the full post, and a stop at growthflowswithclarity similarly rewarded the patient read, summaries are useful but the journey through good writing is part of what makes the destination feel earned rather than just delivered cleanly.
Honest assessment is that this is one of the better short reads I have had this week, and a look at growthmoveswithstructure reinforced that, the bar for short content is low because most of it sacrifices substance for brevity but this site manages both at once which is harder than it sounds for most writers attempting it.
Considered against the flood of similar content this one stands apart in important ways, and a stop at actionmomentum extended that distinctive feel, sites that find their own corner of a crowded topic and stay there are sites worth following and this one has clearly carved out its own space and committed to defending it carefully.
Reading this prompted me to dig into a related topic later, and a stop at focusbuildsresults provided some of the starting points for that follow up reading, content that triggers further exploration rather than satisfying curiosity completely is content with real generative energy and this site has plenty of that energy throughout it.
Considered alongside other sources I have been reading this one consistently rises to the top, and a stop at actionconstructor maintained that top ranking, the informal ongoing comparison between sources is something I do whenever reading on a topic and this site keeps coming out near the top of those comparisons over many sessions.
My reading list is short and selective and this site is now on it, and a stop at unitytrustbond confirmed the placement, the short list of sites I read deliberately rather than encounter accidentally is something I curate carefully and adding to it is a real act of trust which this site has earned today.
Found the post genuinely useful for something I was working on this week, and a look at focusguidesmovement added more material I will reference, content that connects to my actual life and work rather than just being interesting in the abstract is the kind I will pay attention to and return to repeatedly.
Now adding this to a short list of sites I would defend in a conversation about the modern web, and a look at actioncreatesforwardpath reinforced that defence list, the few sites that serve as evidence the web can still produce good things are precious and this one has clearly joined that small list of exemplary sites.
Following a few of the internal links revealed more posts of similar quality, and a stop at bondedstability added more to that growing pile, sites where internal links lead to more good content rather than to more of the same recycled material are sites with depth and this one has clearly built that depth carefully.
Reading this slowly and letting each paragraph land before moving on, and a stop at momentumplanning earned the same patient approach, content that rewards slow reading rather than speed is content with real density and the writers here are clearly producing work that benefits from the careful eye rather than the rushed scan.
Now wishing more sites covered topics with this level of care, and a look at collaborativepowergroup extended that wish across more subjects, the rarity of careful coverage on most topics is a problem and this site is one of the small antidotes to that broader pattern of casual or surface treatment of complex subjects.
One of the more thoughtful posts I have read recently on this topic, and a stop at strongalliancelink added even more weight to that impression, this is genuinely good content that holds its own against far better known sites in the same space without trying to imitate any of them at all which I appreciate.
Came away with a slightly better mental model of the topic than I started with, and a stop at actionmovesstrategy sharpened that further, content that improves the reader thinking apparatus rather than just dumping facts into it is the rare kind I genuinely value and seek out when I have time to read carefully.
Felt the writer did the homework before publishing, the references hold up, and a look at claritysystems continued that documented care, content with traceable claims rather than vague assertions is the kind I trust and the lack of bald assertion in this post is one of its quietly impressive qualities for me.
Now sitting back and recognising that this was a small but real win in my reading day, and a stop at growtharchitect extended that quiet win, the cumulative effect of small reading wins versus the cumulative effect of small reading losses is real over time and this site is contributing to the wins side of that ledger.
If I had encountered this site five years ago I would have been telling everyone about it, and a look at businessbondcircle extended that retrospective enthusiasm, the version of me who used to recommend favourite blogs frequently would have made sure friends knew about this one and that earlier enthusiasm is partially returning to me here.
Closed the laptop after this and let the ideas settle for a few hours, and a stop at momentumactivation similarly rewarded reflective time, content that benefits from sitting with rather than racing past is the kind I want more of and the kind that this site appears to consistently produce week after week here.
Reading this in a moment of low energy still kept my attention, and a stop at businessunitynetwork continued that engagement under suboptimal conditions, content that survives the reader being tired is content with extra reserves of pull and this site has the kind of writing that holds up even when I am not at my reading best.
Привет из Нижнего Брат снова сорвался Соседи стучат Нужна профессиональная помощь Короче, врачи вытащили с того света — цена на вывод из запоя в стационаре доступная Капельницы и препараты подбирали индивидуально В общем, не потеряйте контакты — вывод из запоя в стационаре наркологии вывод из запоя в стационаре наркологии Стационар — это реальный выход Перешлите тем кто в такой же ситуации
Well done, the writing is professional without being stiff, and the topic is treated with care, and a look at progressflowswithclarity reflected that approach, the kind of site I would point a colleague to if they asked for a reliable starting point on this topic in the future without any hesitation at all.
Genuine reaction is that I will probably think about this on and off for a few days, and a look at actioncreatespathways added fuel to that, the best content lingers in your head after you close the tab rather than evaporating immediately and this site clearly knows how to write that kind of memorable content.
Adding this site to my regular reading list, the post earned that on its own, and a quick stop at forwardpathway sealed the decision, the kind of place worth checking back with from time to time because it consistently produces material that holds up against a critical reading too which I really value.
Appreciate the thoughtful approach, the writer clearly took time to make this readable for someone who is not already an expert, and a look at claritymotionlab kept that going nicely, easy on the eyes and easy on the brain which is always a winning combination when reading on a busy day.
A piece that suggested careful editing without showing the marks of the editing, and a look at signalshapesprogress continued that invisible polish, the best editing disappears into the prose and this site reads as having been edited with skill that does not announce itself which is the highest compliment I can offer any blog content.
Bookmark added with a small mental note that this is a site to keep, and a look at truebondnetwork reinforced the keep status, the verb keep rather than visit captures something about how I think about this kind of site and it is a higher tier of relationship than I have with most places online today.
Worth a quiet moment of recognition for the consistency I have noticed across multiple posts, and a stop at bondedcollective continued that consistent quality, sites that maintain quality across many pieces rather than peaking on one viral post are sites with real editorial discipline and this one has clearly developed that discipline carefully.
Pass this along to colleagues if the topic comes up, the framing here is sensible, and a stop at signalcreatesdirectionalflow adds more useful angles to share, the kind of content that improves conversations rather than just feeding them is what makes a resource genuinely valuable in professional contexts going forward over time and across project boundaries too.
Felt like the writer was speaking directly to someone with my level of curiosity, neither talking down nor showing off, and a stop at claritycreatesprogress kept that comfortable matching going, finding writing that meets you where you are rather than asking you to climb up or stoop down feels great every time it happens.
My friends would appreciate a few of these posts and I will be sending links accordingly, and a look at ideaexecutionhub added more pages to my share queue, content that earns shares to specific people in specific contexts is content with social utility and this site is generating those targeted shares from me consistently lately.
Appreciate the thoughtful approach, the writer clearly took time to make this readable for someone who is not already an expert, and a look at claritylane kept that going nicely, easy on the eyes and easy on the brain which is always a winning combination when reading on a busy day.
Liked the careful selection of which details to include and which to skip, and a stop at directionanchorsmotion reflected the same editorial judgement, knowing what to leave out is just as important as knowing what to include and this site has clearly figured out where that line sits for the topics it covers regularly.
Reading this in three sittings because the day was fragmented, and the piece survived the fragmentation, and a stop at progressengineered held up under similar reading conditions, content engineered for continuous attention is fragile in modern conditions and this site reads as durable across the realistic ways people consume content today.
Took a few notes from this post, the points are easy to remember without needing to come back and check, and a look at trustedrelationshipnet added a couple more, the kind of place that sticks in the memory long after the browser tab has been closed for the day which says a lot really.
Now setting up a small reminder to revisit the site on a slow day, and a stop at forwardpathconstructed confirmed the reminder was a good idea, planning return visits is a small organisational act that signals trust in ongoing quality and this site has earned that planned return through consistent performance across the pieces I have read so far.
Now leaving a small mental note to recommend this when the topic comes up in conversation, and a look at growthlogic extended that recommend ready feeling, content that arms me with shareable references for likely future conversations is content with social value and this site is providing that conversational ammunition consistently for me lately.
A piece that took its time without dragging, and a look at ideaconverter kept the same patient pace, the difference between unhurried and slow is a fine editorial distinction and this site has clearly found the unhurried side without slipping into the slow side which would have lost me as a reader quickly otherwise.
Now recognising the specific pleasure of reading writing that shows real care for sentence shapes, and a look at visionarybondcircle extended that craft pleasure, sentence level writing quality is something most blog content ignores entirely and this site has clearly invested in the prose layer alongside the substance which is rare today.
Now thinking about how to apply some of this to a project I have been planning, and a look at futuregrowthalliance added more material for the planning, content that connects to my actual creative work rather than just being interesting in the abstract is the kind that earns priority placement in my reading rotation consistently going forward.
Liked that there was nothing performative about the writing, and a stop at ideasgainalignment continued that genuine quality, performative writing tries to be witnessed rather than read and the difference between performance and substance is huge for the careful reader and this site has clearly chosen substance every time clearly.
A piece that reads like it was written for me without claiming to be written for me, and a look at strategyactivation produced the same fit, when the writer audience match clicks naturally without being engineered through demographic targeting you know the writing is solid and this site has that natural fit consistently for me.