Reply #6: The internet is technology (and, increasingly, business [View All]

[Ghost Dog]

as well as an expression of society). It is not science.

Science is always imperfect knowledge. No scientific theory or hypothesis ever claims to be the "be-all and end-all of existence". The media (and politicians, and economic and even 'national security' interests) may tend to claim that.

Every scientific theory is always perfectible, refutable or supercedable by another on the basis of a). empirical observation and testing and b). better theories that, temporarily, appear to more closely fit the facts as we, at this point in time, have observed them. Read Popper and Kuhn, for example.

The possible ability to achieve direct "Gnosis" amongst certain "Illuminati" (which observation of diverse (in time and space) human societies tells us would, according to practitioners, usually require much study and great self-sacrifice), is, for example, not (yet) disproven. Perhaps a moment of genuine epiphany is indeed possible, occasionally. That would be a research project in which I wouldn't mind participating ;-)