The world of Harry Potter, as described by J.K. Rowling, illustrates a modern layperson’s understanding of science and the scientific process quite well. Magical knowledge is found in certain special books. There are magical artifacts in the world. However, the process of acquiring this knowledge and creating artifacts is never described. It gives the impression that the Harry Potter universe is some sort of post-apocalypse or medieval setting where science has vanished, researchers have died out, and all knowledge is preserved in ancient sources, appearing rather fragmented.
Wizarding schools are unable to properly teach heroes magic. The education system is confusing and inconsistent. In the fairy tale, there is no one who writes books, creates artifacts, or brings magical technologies to life. None of the teachers provide any explanations for the phenomena or techniques being studied. It’s simply stated: “This is magic.” Even the “new” Nimbus 2000 broomstick is presented as a given, and there is no description of what exactly, aside from marketing slogans, distinguishes it from the previous and next versions.
The scientific process is simply outside the context of J.K. Rowling, which is why she didn’t even consider describing it. For her, as for 99% of the population, the iPhone is a given or, in fairy tale terminology, a magical artifact. All the “knowledge” that 99% of the population possesses is fragmented and lacks a coherent system; it is available from textbooks and is not applicable in real life.
Perhaps the misunderstanding of the role of science and the belief in the impossibility of acquiring new knowledge independently are consequences of the increasing infantilism in society. In the past, children who survived were completely independent by the age of 12, then 16, and later 18. Now, children are raised until they are 25-30 years old, remaining dependent on their parents and unable to live independently or make their own decisions. The average level of infantilism in society is, in one way or another, on the rise. The disbelief in independence is also well reflected in Harry Potter, where it is acceptable for a hat to choose your house, a wand to choose the wizard, and a cup to select the participants for the tournament.
The perception of science by society as a process of acquiring knowledge from something previously written or done threatens the scientific process. This could lead us to a new Middle Ages, where there is no science, only “wizards.”