> "It is of course more methodologically difficult to study the behavior of our fellow human beings than to study clouds or volcanoes or insects," I have alway

> "It is of course more methodologically difficult to study the behavior of our fellow human beings than to study clouds or volcanoes or insects," I have always despised this semi-excuse. It should not excuse, or even explain anything at all. It is a great deal harder to study the interior of Europa than it is to study how humans behave, but nobody would say that "crap astronomy abounds". At least not without some serious backing evidence; and they certainly wouldn't simply concede it to the hypothetical masses who already suspect it. "It is hard to find the funds to perform this experiment, so excuse us for making shit up!" is something that would never fly, but "It is hard to find ways to perform this experiment ethically, so excuse us for making shit up!" is heard all the fucking time.