Unsupported Opinion Is Often Myth, Not Fact

With opinions, facts are often lost.  According to local newspapers, a flap has arisen that the Vigneto planned community would destroy the Kartchner Caverns aquifer. It appears that opinions may be beliefs stated by a PhD in geology and can spawn a great deal of anti-Vigneto speculation. When reported by the media, it appears to become fact when it may actually be a myth.

Several decades ago, a theory was advanced that the earth’s outer surface was composed of large continental tectonic plates that floated on molten magma. Where these plates collided, and one plate subsided under an adjoining plate, made for a ring of fire where earthquakes and volcanoes occurred. Initially, most geologists rejected the theory as it was not consistent with their beliefs. It took several decades of research to establish facts that the theory was valid.

No one really knows what lies below the surface of the earth. Learned geologists may have beliefs of what is there, but it is only an opinion until facts are researched. For this reason, mining companies and tunneling projects investigate with extensive core drilling to establish facts about the ore body and the ground conditions the tunneling will encounter.  No one can assume that the beliefs of a geologist are facts without supporting research. To establish facts about the aquifer that could endanger Kartchner Caverns with the Vigneto development, the geologists need to conduct core drilling to establish if the sandstone is really fractured or conduct tests using dyes to trace waterways, or use electronic analysis or sonic shockwaves to validate their beliefs. The public should not be informed by the media of beliefs (opinions) that are not supported by facts, as this leads to chaos of wrongful policies and decisions. A starting point would be to determine if any records or water flow within the Kartchner Caverns have been recorded and compared to annual rainfall.

In the past, our civil courts of law have been bombarded with beliefs (opinions) that are not supported by facts.  Several years ago, a significant precedent was established by the Daubert ruling that opinions had to be supported by facts.  This ruling stopped a lot of misinformation from being presented to the courts and juries.  The media should voluntarily adopt the same policy.  Public mindsets need facts,  not beliefs and myths unsupported by pertinent information.

Engineering to achieve the use of available technology is often too complicated to be assimilated by most people, and is discounted. To overcome this inherent rejection is best achieved by the developer of a project to make it clear that no promises will be made.  The developers approach should be to design the system, assemble the system, test the system and ensure reliable operation. When the system is in place, it is then the time to share with the public the actual results. This approach avoids the opportunity for opponents to criticize the design for all kinds of illogical opinion. It is results that prevent speculation that a design will fail. Proof of performance ensure for reliable facts. The key problem in presenting a new system used to protect the aquifer at the time of design with a recharge system if the design proposal is without proof of performance. Due to its complexity, it is best to  avoid any public involvement in review of the design.  Control of the design is a developers activity and should only publicize the results of the installed recharge system.

For years, our military establishment has tested and evaluated but did not provide the troops new weapons and support systems until they had facts that they would perform reliably. This same policy needs to be adopted by planned community developers. It is no business of outsiders to evaluate design in the development process. Environmental activist groups should tell developers only what performance they believe should be accomplished. It appears that environmental activist’s attempt to shove down every project managers throat that these projects should be trashed by government agencies.

In our day and age when the exploration of other planets in our galaxy can be accomplished with mobile robots, it is evident that we have the knowledge and technology to prevent the San Pedro and Karchner Caverns aquifers from being depleted.

It is absolutely ridiculous to allow opinions without facts to become myths that destroy the development of new enterprises.  The loss of facts can cause wrongful crippling injuries and death. In the last several years, activists who did not like speeders to be fined by having cameras placed on traffic light controlled intersections alleged these were only used to raise money. These assumptions did not reduce auto collisions when drivers ran the red traffic light and caused an accident. Today, there are facts that when these cameras were removed, collisions increased 30%. The lack of facts by propagation of beliefs (opinions), creates myths that are an unlimited danger in many ways to everyone. Caution needs to be exercised in not accepting beliefs that are stated as an opinion, as they may lack facts.

Design of systems to recharge the aquifer is the Holy Grail of protecting the aquifer that is part of Kartchner Caverns.  A flap alleging obstruction of the water system of Kartchner Caverns without facts is criminal – to allege that to protect Kartchner Caverns, the planned community of Vigneto must be stopped. What is needed for the geologists at Kartchner Caverns is to meet with the Vigneto developers technical staff and share facts before issuing statements.  Together they can determine what information needs to be researched. When this is done, a remedy can be designed to ensure for the protection of Kartchner Caverns. It is unethical to blindside the Vigneto project with opinions to the media that are intended to cause public rejection of this planned community.

 

About David V. MacCollum 56 Articles
David V. MacCollum is a past president of the American Society of Safety Engineers and was a member of the first U.S. Secretary of Labor's Construction Safety Advisory Committee [1969-1972]. He is the author of: Construction Safety Planning (Jun 16, 1995) Crane Hazards and Their Prevention (Jan 1, 1991) Construction Safety Engineering Principles (McGraw-Hill Construction Series): Designing and Managing Safer Job Sites Jan 8, 2007) Building Design and Construction Hazards (May 15, 2005)