​I was a weird college student; I read the assigned reading. One of my freshmen assignments was to read an essay by John Steinbeck; I don’t remember the title, but it was about scientific measurement and observation. I’ve thought about it many times over the years and have tried to find it without success; I have found some of the same ideas in isolated paragraphs in Steinbeck’s book Log from the Sea of Cortez. This is a description of a biological expedition he took with his friend Doc Ricketts, who was the model for the main character in Steinbeck’s novel Cannery Row.

​The main point of the essay was that by observing (or measuring) we change the object we’re observing, sometimes only negligently, other times drastically. By just walking through a tidal pool we change the ecosystem for its residents; for many the change is imperceptible, but for any anemone we step on, the change can be drastic. Even weighing something changes it; by putting it on the scale, the object will shed a few molecules or maybe pick up some small dust particles. This effect happens in all disciplines, even (maybe especially) the social sciences. You may have heard of the “Hawthorne effect.” The term comes from a study done to determine optimal lighting at Western Electric’s Hawthorne manufacturing plant. Much to management’s surprise, it didn’t matter if they increased the lighting or decreased the lighting, production still increased. The effect has been verified in many contexts; observing changes those who are being observed. I think that this is one reason that in education there is a pendulum effect with respect teaching methods (one example – open classroom versus structured); almost every study shows the new method is better, whether or not it is.

​I don’t remember this being in Steinbeck’s essay, but measurement and observation change the observer and the measurement device. When someone steps on a scale, in the case of an older scale springs are compressed, while in a newer one the conductivity of transducers are changed. These changes are how the weight is measured, and most are short lived. Some are longer lived, however, and the scale will eventually wear out. The observer is also changed; depending on the reading he/she can be happy, sad or even depressed. To me it’s clear that Steinbeck was changed by his observations in the Sea of Cortez (now called the Gulf of California). Instead of being a dry scientific log, Steinbeck’s book has a sense of wonder; it contains poetic descriptions, philosophical paragraphs, personal reflections, and open ended questions.  

​In Matthew 7:1-2 and in other places Jesus warns us not to judge or measure others lest we be judged or measured. I had always interpreted this as warning us not to usurp God’s role. Reading it more carefully I see that it really is a warning against being hypocritical – that by judging others it changes us into not taking responsibility for our own sins. By judging others we also change them; they can feel demeaned, threatened and rejected, and may even be thereby tempted to act poorly. Besides, because of biases and imperfect human vision our judgments are likely to be in error. Certainly, this is not in keeping with the commandment to love our neighbors. To learn more read Matthew 7:1-5, Luke 6:37 and Romans 2:1-4, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.
Jim