Science: The Adventure of Knowing the World from My Own Experience

Sometimes I think of all the twists and turns life takes, the surprises it brings and, above all, what we learn. I, Amadeo Pérez, after several years of life (I won't say how many so as not to give away my age!), have had the opportunity to live science up close. And no, I don't mean crazy experiments or labs full of test tubes. My experience with science has been on the street, observing, learning and applying what many don't even realize it is.... pure science.

So today, I want to tell you what science really is, how I've experienced it throughout my life, and why it's more important than you think.

What is science?

When we talk about science, the first things that come to mind are white coats, laboratories and impossible-to-understand formulas. But science is much more than that. Simply put, it is the systematic and methodical body of knowledge that human beings have compiled to explain the world around us. And here I want to emphasize a key word: explain. Science does not invent, it does not imagine, it explains.

Since I was a child, I was always curious. Why is the sky blue? Why is water wet? And, of course, like every child, why can't we fly? All those questions, which in the eyes of adults seemed mere nonsense, were the beginning of my curiosity about the world... and also of my relationship with science.

How did we get to what we know today?

The scientific method, that term that sounds so technical, is actually something that anyone can apply in their day-to-day life (even if we don't know it). Observe, hypothesize, experiment and reach conclusions. Sounds complicated to you? Not at all! Imagine you come across a new recipe in the kitchen. First you observe the ingredients (observation), think about how they will combine (hypothesis), mix and cook them (experimentation) and then decide if it was delicious or not (conclusion). Well congratulations, you have applied the scientific method without knowing it.

Of course, science is much more sophisticated than this. We're talking about centuries of observation, trial and error. Thinkers like Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton and many others opened the doors for us to understand the laws of physics, astronomy, chemistry and other disciplines that seem basic to us today.

Types of science

Over time, I discovered that not all science is the same. Depending on what is studied, we can talk about natural sciences, formal sciences and social sciences.Sound strange to you? Well let me explain it more simply.

Natural Sciences:

If you've ever wondered about the secrets of the natural world, then you've touched the realm of the natural sciences. Here we are talking about disciplines such as biology, physics, chemistry and astronomy. Basically, they are all those sciences that seek to understand how nature works. And believe me, what they have discovered over the years is amazing. How plants breathe, why objects fall, or what the universe is made of, all that and more is covered by these sciences.

Real-life example:

When I was young, I wondered why, when we jump, we always fall to the ground. Then I discovered gravity. A natural physical law that affects everything on our planet, but which, as a kid, seemed like a magical mystery.

Formal Sciences:

This is where it gets interesting and a bit abstract. The formal sciences, like mathematics or logic, do not deal directly with the physical world. Instead, they deal with systems of symbols and reasoning that help describe how other systems work. You may think math is boring, but think of all the things we can do because of it! From building bridges to sending rockets into space.

Social Sciences:

Last but not least are the social sciences. These disciplines study human beings and their interactions in society. Sociology, anthropology, economics... they all seek to understand why we act as we do. Although many believe that these sciences are not as "scientific" as the natural sciences, I assure you that their impact on our lives is profound.

Real-life example:

I remember when I went to live in a rural community in my younger years. There, I noticed how people organized their social and economic life in a completely different way from what I knew. What was surprising to me, to sociologists was simply the application of a system of social analysis.

The impact of science on everyday life

If you had asked me a few years ago how important science is in our lives, I probably would not have known how to answer you. But now, after so many experiences, I can say it with total conviction: science is everything. From the technology we use every day to the medical advances that save millions of lives, everything is based on scientific principles.

Technology and science:

In recent years, we have seen how technology has advanced by leaps and bounds. Smartphones, internet, artificial intelligence.... All this would not be possible without science behind it. I remember when there were hardly any rotary phones, and now we have devices that fit in our pockets and connect us to the world! technology is the direct result of applying scientific knowledge to solve problems.

Science in health:

I can't fail to mention the incredible impact of science on health. From antibiotics to vaccines, all these advances have been possible thanks to the efforts of scientists who dedicated their lives to research. I myself have been the beneficiary of several of these medical discoveries. Who has never taken a drug without thinking about the amount of research behind it

Conclusion: Science as the engine of the future

If I have learned anything throughout my life is that science does not stand still. It is always moving forward, always looking for answers. And the best of all is that it never stays with the first answer it finds. Science is curious, it is restless, it is infinite. And thanks to it, we can understand the world a little better every day.

So, the next time someone asks you what science is, remember that it's not just a set of data or complicated theories. It is the most powerful tool we have to understand, change and improve the world. And you, without even realizing it, are already using it.