Science And Pseudoscience

I'm no longer a regular Popular Science reader, although I do find myself on their website a couple of times a month and whenever I fly, like I did when traveling Down Under in August, I always do so with the latest copy of the magazine in my backpack. I'm not a scientist, of course, although I approach my job with a kind of experimental approach. I joke that most preschool teachers, if forced to choose another profession, might well choose science because, as my scientist friends often describe their work, it sounds a lot like children's play.

But I know I'm not really a scientist. That's why I appreciate a publication like Scientific American, one that makes the latest scientific theories, discoveries, and debate understandable to the man on the street. This is what they have done for 141 years. This week, the editors have announced that their website will no longer permit comments on articles because of the negative impact science deniers are having on the discussion on their pages. 

According to their statement:

A politically motivated, decades-long war on expertise has eroded the popular consensus on a wide variety of scientific validated topics. Everything, from evolution to the origins of climate change, is mistakenly up for grabs again. Scientific certainty is just another thing for two people to "debate" on television. And because comments sections tend to be a grotesque reflection of the media culture surrounding them, the cynical work of undermining bedrock scientific doctrine is now being done beneath our own stories, within a website devoted to championing science.

The New York Times editorial linked to in the above excerpt, tells us that the number of Americans who "believe" in human caused "climate change" has actually declined by five percent since the concept was coined in 1989. This despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary. Even more insane is that doubting the scientifically unquestionable Theory of Evolution has become a kind of litmus test for one of our major political parties, and the transparently unscientific muddle called "creation science" is actually being taught in schools. These are only two of dozens of areas in which the cynical have intentionally sewn the seeds of doubt as a way to promote their own political agendas. It's a dangerous game they are playing, one that undermines the whole idea of science in America.

Of course, there are science deniers all over the world, but if a politician in any another modern country let it be known that his beliefs would trounce science, he would be relegated to ash heap of history. The only nations I'm aware of, besides the US, where people can proudly wear their pseudoscience badge with "honor" are third world theocracies. 

I'm sad that Popular Science has been forced to make this move, but I'm even sadder that my nation, the nation that has for the past century lead the world in scientific discovery and innovation, is now educating its children in ignorance. Some time ago, I made a similar decision to that of PS, choosing to moderate the comments on this blog. Most comments I approve, but those that deny facts, data, research, and science are deleted. I have no patience for those who argue their denial of science with the use of anecdotes, faith, name-calling, and, well, general trolling. I engage some of the more civil ones on my Facebook page, but only by way of demonstrating to the rest of you ways to push back. Otherwise they find their comments deleted as well. You are welcome to disagree with me, but I will not engage in a debate that pits your "beliefs" against science: it makes all of us stupider.

Most frustrating are people who send me links to things that support their beliefs dressed up as science. I've gotten quite good at recognizing many of these pseudoscientific sites and organizations set up to provide rational sounding arguments to support the fixed beliefs of believers, but every now and then I'll click through. It's stunning how ignorant and cynical these people are. I pity the children they are raising who will one day step out into the world to learn they've been lied to, or perhaps worse, laughed at.

I'll leave you with this handy-dandy infographic detailing some of the fundamental differences between science and pseudoscience.

I will be moderating the comments.

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