Los peligros de la ignorancia científica
Hasta ahora he considerado a La Vanguardia como un periódico serio. Sin embargo, en los últimos tiempos están dando cobijo a una serie de personajes que propagan sus ideas pseudocientíficas en sus venerable páginas.
Lo último que me ha llegado, se publicó el pasado 30 de mayo. Una entrevista a un ¿divulgador? y ¿agricultor ecológico? que afirma «Estamos comiendo petróleo«.
Claro, leí el titular y pensé que la entrevista se la estaban haciendo a un microorganismo extremófilo, de esos raros que son capaces de comerse las porquerías que dejó el maldito Prestige (sí, ese; se acuerdan, el de «los hilitos» que dijo un tal M. Rajoy Brey) en nuestras costas gallegas; y que esa afirmación estaba dirigida a sus congérenes, y otras especies relacionadas, devoradoras de hidrocarburos.
Pero no es un bichito de esos que le gustan a mis amigos los (micro)biólogos. Al menos por la foto de la entrevista, no es un microorganismo; sino que es, aparentemente, un individuo de nuestra especie (homo ¿sapiens?). Bueno, pienso «ha sido una exageración del periodista que ha querido sacar un titular de una frase inocua del entrevistado«.
¡¡¡Pero no!!! Este tal señor agricultor ¿ecológico? y ¿divulgador? lo dice en la entrevista. A continuación reproduzco literalmente la pregunta y la respuesta:
P.: Incluso hay productos, según explica usted, que… ¡llevan petróleo!
R.: Efectivamente. De hecho, algo más del 90% de los productos de síntesis química (insecticidas, herbicidas, todo lo que no son productos agroecológicos) provienen todos del petróleo. Sin saberlo, estamos comiendo petróleo. Evidentemente, te lo comes tan disgregado que no te lo parece, pero lo estás haciendo.
Como se ve, no hay lugar para la duda.
Y esa respuesta demuestra que este individuo es un profundo ignorante científico. Y que conste que lo de ignorante no es insulto, sino que es el significado del diccionario de la RAE para «el que no tiene noticia de algo«.
Y este señor agricultor ¿ecológico? tiene una profunda ignorancia de química. No voy a darle ninguna lección de química (que se compre un libro para aprender), sólo decirle que la química es la ciencia de la transformación de la materia y que cuando A se transforma en B; A y B son dos sustancias químicas distintas (como si fuesen dos letras distintas del alfabeto) y, por consiguiente, sus propiedades (químicas, físicas, biológicas, tecnológicas) son también distintas.
Le voy a poner un ejemplo sencillo, que usted, señor agricultor ¿ecológico? puede entender.
El hidrógeno es un gas, explosivo por más señas. Si respiramos hidrógeno, morimos, al menos asfixiados, aunque podríamos tener una muerte aún más cruenta.
El oxígeno es también un gas. Es esencial para nuestra vida; pero, eso sí, mezclado con otro gas (el nitrógeno) en una proporción aproximada de 4 a 1 (exactamente 78 a 21) formando el aire (el 1% restante es mezcla de otros gases). Aunque el oxígeno es fundamental para nuestra existencia, en estado puro es un veneno potente para el ser humano y si lo ingerimos puro y en cantidad, tendríamos una muerte segura, y además espectacular (más o menos como una falla valenciana).
Pero, ¿qué ocurre si mezclamos estos dos gases (hidrógeno y oxígeno) tan peligrosos? ¡Se forma agua! Un líquido, no tóxico y esencial para la vida. Una reacción química hace que dos gases extremadamente peligrosos se combinen dando lugar a un ¡líquido esencial para la vida!
Espero que este ejemplo aporte alguna luz a su ignorancia química y se dé cuenta de que una vez que un derivado del petróleo se transforma químicamente, las propiedades de lo que se obtiene no tiene nada que ver con el material de partida y, mucho menos con el petróleo que antes de estos procesos se somete a una destilación para separar componentes.
Para su información, los compuestos químicos más sencillos que se encuentran en el petróleo son el metano y el etileno. El metano da poco juego en la preparación de sustancias químicas sintéticas; aunque sí para proporcionarnos energía, que este señor agricultor ¿ecológico? usará; pues no creo que se caliente con la madera de sus bosques o no encienda ni una bombilla en su casa.
El etileno es un material de partida importante para la industria química de la que el señor agricultor ¿ecológico? se beneficia; o ¿es que va desnudo por la vida o no usa un simple bolígrafo para escribir o un ordenador o un teléfono móvil? cuando enferma ¿qué toma?
Las interrogantes en agricultor ¿ecológico? no son un error de mi teclado. ¡No! Son intencionadas. No voy a entrar con discutir a los defensores de una cierta manera de cultivar los campos (para eso están Mulet o JAL); pero sí me molesta que se falsee la terminología. Agricultura ecológica es un oxímoron, pues desde el momento en que un campo se cultiva (es decir, se hace agricultura) se deja de hacer ecologismo al estar manipulado por la mano del hombre. Por lo tanto, la agricultura ecológica no existe.
Este hombre tiene una propuesta curiosa. Propone que todos debemos plantar un huerto (por ejemplo, de lechugas; aunque es más ambicioso y propone variedad de cultivo) en nuestros balcones y terrazas. Si estáis interesado en esta ideas (no voy a entrar a valorarla para que no me dé un ataque de risa) u os preguntáis como se puede alimentar una familia con esta ¿abundante? cosecha, recomiendo leer la blanda entrevista.
Yo voy a seguir con lo mío: la QUÍMICA (¡con mayúsculas!) y por desgracia con la ignorancia del señor agricultor ¿ecológico?
Propone plantar huertos ecológicos en los balcones de las viviendas para de esta manera «no tener que comer petróleo». Teniendo en cuenta el escaso conocimiento químico que este señor agricultor ¿ecológico? ha demostrado, no esperaba de él un mínimo conocimiento bioquímico.
Le digo a este señor agricultor ¿ecológico? que cuando coma la lechuga de su huerto (perdón, balcón) también está comiendo petróleo. Si este señor agricultor ¿ecológico? está leyendo este post se le quedarán los ojos como platos. «¿Comer petróleo? ¡¡¡Si todo es super-mega-ultra-ecológico!!!«, me responderá.
Si, señor agricultor ¿ecológico?, según su conocimiento de química, usted está comiendo petróleo cuando se come su lechuga. «¿Por qué?» Me preguntará el señor agricultor ¿ecológico?. La respuesta es sencilla. Usted se come la lechuga; principalmente está comiendo carbohidratos (y otras sustancias químicas) que se han sintetizado (sé que la palabra le horroriza, pero es verdad) por las células de la planta. Y usted me contestará «que todo es muy natural, muy eco y muy bio» Yo le contestaré «¿Y sabe usted de dónde procede el carbono de los carbohidratos de la lechuga que se está comiendo?» Teniendo en cuenta sus conocimientos de química, su respuesta será «No» y en ese momento yo le contestaré (con una media sonrisa) «Del CO2, también conocido como dióxido de carbono o anhídrido carbónico» Y este señor agricultor ¿ecológico? se echará a temblar, pues le he nombrado a una de sus bestias negras, el CO2. Y además, le digo que ese CO2 procede de la combustión de derivados de hidrocarburos en automóviles o centrales térmicas; es decir, del petróleo.
Por lo tanto, sintiéndolo mucho, señor agricultor ¿ecológico?; usted también come petróleo de su huerto (perdón, balcón). Sólo tiene una alternativa, no comer. Claro, así seguro que se muere pronto (eso sí, sin estar químicamente contaminado); o más fácil, no vuelva a exponer su ignorancia científica en los medios de comunicación.
Nota tras el post químico. Aunque he preferido centrarme en los aspectos químicos de la entrevista, ésta no tiene desperdicio. Como cuando dice que hay que cortar el cesped cuando la Luna esté en la constelación de Gémini (triste es que un periódico serio publique esto, que parece una broma) o como le gusta observar la actividad sexual de insectos en su huerto (perdón, balcón) o que, como ocurre con mucho iluminados, él conoce la planta que cura el cáncer (¿todos? ¿los más 300 tipos de enfermedad que se clasifican con el epígrafe cáncer?).
Bernardo Herradón García CSIC b.herradon@csic.es
Reading this gave me confidence to make a decision I had been putting off, and a stop at longviewalliance reinforced that confidence, content that translates into action in my own life rather than just informing it is content with the highest practical value and this site is generating that action level utility for me lately.
Honestly the simplicity is what makes this work, the topic is not buried under filler words or overly complex examples, and a quick look at growthvector showed the same sensible style, I left with what I came for and no headache from over reading which is a real win these days.
Worth saying that the post fit naturally into a rhythm of careful reading, and a stop at directionactivatesmotion extended the same rhythm, content that pairs well with how I actually read rather than demanding a different mode is content well calibrated to its likely audience and this site has clearly thought about that consistently.
A piece that handled a controversial angle without becoming heated, and a look at solidbondgroup continued that calm engagement, content that can address contested topics without inflaming them is doing rare diplomatic work and this site has clearly developed the editorial maturity to handle sensitive material with the appropriate temperature of writing throughout.
Useful enough to recommend to several people I know who would appreciate it, and a stop at actiondrivesmomentum added more material I will pass along too, the kind of writing that earns word of mouth is the kind that actually delivers on its promises which is what this site does without any drama or fanfare attached.
Yesterday I was complaining about the state of online writing and today this site has temporarily fixed that complaint, and a look at claritycompanion extended that mood reversal, the short term mood improvement that comes from finding good content is real and this site has produced that improvement for me at a useful moment.
Now thinking about how to apply some of this to a project I have been planning, and a look at ideasunlockmotion 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.
Will be back, that is the simplest way to say it, and a quick visit to nextstepnavigator reinforced the decision, this site has earned a spot in my regular rotation alongside a few other reliable places I check when I want something genuinely informative without all the usual modern web noise getting in the way.
Good quality through and through, no rough edges and no signs of being rushed, and a quick look at ideasdrivevelocity kept the same polish going, the kind of site that respects its own brand by maintaining consistency across pages which is something I always appreciate as a reader looking for trustworthy information online today.
Genuine reaction is that I will probably think about this on and off for a few days, and a look at heritagecapitalbond 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.
Liked how the writer used real examples instead of theoretical ones to make the points stick, and a stop at ideasunlockgrowth added even more concrete examples, this is the kind of practical approach that respects readers who actually want to apply what they learn rather than just nodding along passively without doing anything useful.
Reading this in three sittings because the day was fragmented, and the piece survived the fragmentation, and a stop at strategyplanner 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.
Honestly slowed down to read this carefully which is not my default, and a look at progressmomentum kept me in that careful reading mode, the kind of writing that demands attention by being worth attention is rare in a media environment full of content engineered to be skimmed not read with any real focus today.
Worth pointing out that the writer made the topic feel more interesting than I had been expecting, and a look at clarityanchorsmotion continued that elevation effect, content that improves the apparent quality of its subject through skilled treatment is doing something real and this site has clearly developed that kind of editorial alchemy throughout.
Saving this link for the next time someone asks me about this topic, and a look at signaldrivesclarity expanded what I will be sharing with them, this is the kind of resource that makes a real difference when you are trying to point a friend to something useful and reliable rather than generic marketing pages.
A nicely understated post that does not shout for attention, and a look at strategicalliancelink maintained the same quiet quality, understatement is a stylistic choice that distinguishes serious writing from attention seeking writing and this site has clearly committed to the understated approach as a core editorial value rather than just a phase.
Closed my email tab so I could read this without interruption, and a stop at progressmovesintelligently earned the same protected attention, when content is good enough to defend against the usual digital distractions you know it deserves better than the half attention most online reading gets in a typical busy day.
Recommended without hesitation if you care about careful coverage of this topic, and a stop at momentumbuildsforward reinforced the recommendation, the bar I set for unhesitating recommendations is fairly high and this site has cleared it through the cumulative weight of multiple consistently good pieces rather than through any single standout post which is meaningful.
I usually skim posts like these but this one held my attention all the way through, and a stop at forwardmomentumhub did the same, that is a strong endorsement coming from me because I am usually quick to bounce when content gets repetitive or fails to deliver on its initial promise made in the headline.
Came across this and immediately thought of a friend who would enjoy it, and a stop at forwardprogression also reminded me of someone, content that triggers the urge to share is content that has earned my recommendation and this site has earned multiple from me already across different conversations during the week.
Refreshing to find writing that does not try to manipulate the reader into clicking onto the next page through cliffhangers and forced engagement, and a stop at progressmoveswithsignal continued in the same respectful way, this is what reader first design actually looks like in practice rather than just in marketing copy that sounds nice.
Refreshing change from the usual sites covering this topic, no clickbait and no padding, and a stop at actionmapping confirmed the difference, this place clearly has its own voice rather than copying the formulas everyone else uses to chase clicks online which is becoming increasingly rare these days across nearly every popular subject.
Easy to recommend, the content speaks for itself without needing additional praise from me, and a stop at strongbusinessalliance only adds more reasons to send people this way, the kind of generous resource that benefits its readers without demanding anything in return is increasingly rare and worth recognising clearly today across the broader open internet.
Granted my mood today might be elevating my reading experience but I still think this is genuinely good, and a stop at globalpartnerbond reinforced that even discounted assessment, controlling for the mood adjustment that affects content perception this site still reads as substantively above average across multiple pieces I have read carefully today.
Genuinely glad I clicked through to read this rather than skipping past, and a stop at bondedpathway confirmed I should keep clicking through to more pages here, the kind of resource that justifies its place in my browser history rather than feeling like wasted time which is the highest compliment I offer any site online today.
Skipped the TLDR thinking I would read everything anyway, and ended up enjoying the path through the full post, and a stop at foundationalliancebond 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.
Took me back a step or two on an assumption I had been making, and a stop at forwardmotionclarity pushed that reconsideration further, writing that gently corrects the reader without being aggressive about it is a rare diplomatic skill and the team here clearly knows how to land critical points without turning readers off.
Generally I find the content on similar topics frustrating in specific ways and this post avoided all of them, and a look at ideasintomotion continued that frustration free experience, content that sidesteps the standard failure modes of its genre is content with editorial awareness and this site has clearly studied what fails elsewhere consistently.
Looking forward to seeing what gets published next month, and a look at legacytrustgroup extended that anticipation across the broader site, finding myself looking forward to a sites future content rather than just consuming its existing content is a stronger commitment level than I usually reach with new finds and this site triggered that.
Got something practical out of this that I can apply later this week, and a stop at actionmatrix added more details to think about, this is exactly the kind of content I bookmark for future reference rather than the throwaway listicles that dominate most search results these days for almost any common topic.
Skipped the related links section thinking I had read enough and then came back to it later when curiosity got the better of me, and a stop at focusvector confirmed I should have just read it first, every section of this site appears to deserve careful attention rather than skipping past lazily.
A piece that left me thinking I had been undercaring about the topic, and a look at directionactivatesprogress reinforced that mild concern, content that raises the appropriate weight of a subject without being preachy about it is doing important work and this site is providing that gentle elevation of attention for me consistently.
Worth flagging that the writing rewarded a second read more than I expected, and a look at progressmovesnaturally produced the same second read benefit, content with hidden depths that emerge only on careful rereading is rare in the modern blog space and this site has clearly invested in that level of compositional density throughout.
Really appreciate the lack of pop ups, modals, cookie banners stacking on top of each other, and a quick visit to intentionalmomentum confirmed the same clean approach across the rest of the site, technical decisions about user experience are part of what makes content actually pleasant to engage with for sure.
Took the time to read every paragraph rather than skimming for the punchline, and a quick visit to growthorientedbond earned the same careful attention from me, that is the highest signal I can give about content quality because my default mode is rapid scanning rather than deliberate reading on most pages.
Reading this slowly to give it the attention it deserved, and a stop at ideaclarity earned the same slow read, choosing to read slowly is a small act of respect for content quality and very few sites earn that respect from me but this one did so without any explicit ask which is the cleanest way.
Reading this gave me something to think about for the rest of the afternoon, and after ideasflowwithintent I had even more to mull over, the kind of post that lingers in the background of your day rather than evaporating immediately is genuinely valuable in an attention economy that punishes depth rather than rewarding it.
Genuine pleasure to read, and that is not something I say often after a casual click through, and a quick visit to progresswithclearintent kept the same feeling going across the rest of the site, finding writing that actually feels good to spend time with rather than just functional is increasingly rare on the open web.
Worth saying that the writing carries a particular kind of authority without making any explicit claims to it, and a stop at actioncreatesmomentumflow extended that earned authority feeling, sites that demonstrate expertise through the quality of their explanations rather than by stating credentials are sites I trust most and this site has it.
Recommended without reservation for anyone interested in the topic at any level of expertise, and a look at claritychanneling only strengthens that recommendation, this site clearly knows how to serve readers across a range of backgrounds without watering down the content or talking past anyone in the audience which is genuinely impressive to see.
Took me back a step or two on an assumption I had been making, and a stop at corevaluealliance pushed that reconsideration further, writing that gently corrects the reader without being aggressive about it is a rare diplomatic skill and the team here clearly knows how to land critical points without turning readers off.
A piece that did not require external context to follow, and a look at growthflowsforwardcleanly maintained the same self contained quality, content that stands alone without forcing readers to chase prerequisites is more accessible and this site has clearly thought about how each piece can serve a fresh visitor rather than only existing members.
Better than the average post on this subject by some distance, and a look at focusnavigationhub reinforced that, you can tell within the first paragraph that the writer here actually cares about the topic rather than just covering it for the sake of having something to publish that week or that day.
Reading carefully here has reminded me what reading carefully feels like, and a look at forwardenergyreleased extended that reminder, the experience of careful reading versus skimming is different in ways I had partially forgotten and this site has clearly refreshed my memory of what attention feels like when content rewards it consistently.
Reading this triggered a small but real correction in something I had assumed, and a stop at evercorebond extended that corrective effect, content that updates my beliefs through evidence rather than rhetoric is content with intellectual integrity and this site has earned that label consistently across the pieces I have read so far today.
Approaching this with the usual skepticism I bring to new sites and being slowly persuaded, and a stop at evergreenbondhub continued that gradual persuasion, the careful path from skeptical reader to genuine fan is the only one I trust and this site has walked me along that path through patient consistent quality across pieces.
Now appreciating the small but real way this post improved my afternoon, and a stop at strategicflow extended that small improvement effect, content that produces measurable positive impact on the texture of a reading day is content with real value and this site is producing those small positive impacts at a sustainable rate apparently.
If I had to summarise the editorial sensibility of this site in a few words it would be careful and human, and a look at unitedbusinessbond extended that summary feeling, capturing the essence of a sites approach in brief is hard but this site has a clear enough identity that the summary comes naturally enough.
Reading this triggered a small change in how I think about the topic going forward, and a stop at signalturnsaction reinforced that subtle shift, the rare content that actually moves my thinking rather than just confirming or filling it is the kind I most value and this site is providing that kind of impact today.
Liked how the writer used real examples instead of theoretical ones to make the points stick, and a stop at ideaflowengine added even more concrete examples, this is the kind of practical approach that respects readers who actually want to apply what they learn rather than just nodding along passively without doing anything useful.