Why I Love Science – How We Use It At MI

The purpose of science is discovery, and at its heart is the driving force of Curiosity. This fundamental trait underpins everything that happens in science. Without Curiosity, we would not have science, and we would know nothing, nor would we be motivated to find anything out. It’s this insatiable curiosity that fuels the most groundbreaking discoveries.

Discovery is often only applied to ‘answers’ in science by many who use science to demonstrate value or validity in their claims, offerings, policy positions, funding decisions, etc.

Discovery doesn’t just apply to ‘answers’ in science; it equally, if not more so, applies to ‘questions’. And this is where the magic of science lies. As science answers every question, it raises another set of questions about the very thing it just discovered. This perpetual cycle of discovery and questioning keeps the scientific community engaged and the field of science constantly evolving. 

As humans, we have brains that crave certainty, so we rush to accept findings that support our brain to feel confident and safe and dismiss those findings that create difficulty for our brains. Whilst this is ‘normal’ for our brains to do, we are also blessed with superior thinking and reasoning skills and so are able, if we CHOOSE, to move through this messiness and land in a space that uses this science skillfully.

There are very few, if any, ‘definites’ in science. I approach life as a ‘game of odds’. We strive or desire to achieve certain outcomes, and many things ‘increase or decrease the odds’ of those outcomes manifest. Some are entirely within our control, some we can influence, and some are outside our control.

In human psychology, the messiness is even more apparent. Much of what we learn in our textbooks is conceptual, based on observation, assumption, and imagination. And remember, we have many great thinkers, ponderers, and curiosity-fueled legends to thank. Much of it, but not all, is then put through a scientific process of discovery to determine if it is true. Does it stand up to scrutiny? If so, under what conditions?

At MI, we offer humans the opportunity to use this extraordinary science to enhance their lives. We operate under a strong ethical code and values framework, taking this role very seriously. So, how do we use the science of Human Flourishing, and what does that mean for you?

• We only use, offer, suggest or incorporate findings that have been tested using best-practice scientific methodologies and shown to be empirically valid. Everything is proven to ‘increase the odds’ of the desired outcome.

No Pseudo Science, Woo Hoo, Bullshit, Popular, Trendy, Fad, ‘but so many people use it or believe it’ nonsense.

• We call out Pseudo Science, Woo Hoo, Bullshit, Popular, Trendy, Fad, ‘but so many people use it or believe it’ nonsense.

You might find this uncomfortable because you love some of that stuff, have used it, and it has worked! We are not calling you and your results out, so take a deep breath.

• We will always make freely available (where possible, as some things sit behind paywalls that we don’t own) the references we have used or studies we have conducted ourselves.

Not everyone wants or needs to dive deeply, but some people are as curious as I am, so go your hardest.

• We regularly investigate all findings for updates, changes, and challenges that have emerged as more questions are answered and raised.

We want you to have the most up-to-date and informed science at your fingertips.

• If we find any reason to doubt, alter, or stop using any findings, we will reveal these transparently for everyone to see. This commitment to transparency ensures that you can always trust the information and practices we provide.

We promote healthy scepticism and encourage you to do the same. Beware the GURU!

• I test every tool, activity, intervention, and practice we incorporate into our programs for at least three months before it appears.

I am not so arrogant to think that if it works for me, it will work for you, but remember, a finding is tested under certain conditions. I want to authentically talk about how I have used or applied a finding, what conditions it worked better or worse, and why.