Integrity in Science: More with Maverick Scientist Forrest Mims

Intelligent Design the Future

Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture

Science, Life Sciences, Society & Culture, Philosophy, Astronomy

4.3 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 31 December 2025

⏱️ 28 minutes

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Summary

Honesty, humility, respect. Just a few of the essential qualities scientists need to do good science. Today, host Andrew McDiarmid concludes a conversation with engineer, inventor, writer, and self-taught scientist Forrest Mims about the role of integrity and humility in science, as well as the importance of solid data and good old-fashioned persistence. Should scientists be required to hide their personal values or religious convictions or check them at the door before conducting research? Mims says no and explains. What about humility? McDiarmid quotes from an older edition of On Being a Scientist, an educational booklet for young researchers published by the National Academies of Science. Highlighting the importance of scientific humility, the publication acknowledges that "science offers only one window on human experience. While upholding the honor of their profession, scientists must seek to avoid putting scientific knowledge on a pedestal above knowledge obtained through other means.” Thirty years later, is the scientific enterprise still as humble? Mims shares his thoughts. This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation.

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0:43.9	So my first advice is don't borrow money to go to college.
0:48.1	My second advice is, do you really need to go to college to do science?
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1:05.2	ID, the Future, a podcast about evolution and intelligent design.
1:11.3	Welcome to ID the Future. I'm your host, Andrew McDermott.
1:15.5	Today, I conclude my conversation with engineer, inventor, writer, and self-taught scientist
1:21.6	Forrest Mims. In his 2024 memoir, Maverick Scientist, Mims recounts his many adventures as an amateur scientist.
	...

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