Michael Specter: The danger of science denial

This is a subject near and dear to Maven’s heart. Each time I hear one of the climate change deniers, or in the most recent case - Rush Limbaugh claiming that the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico isn’t - I wonder just how much further American’s can take science denial before we go critical as a nation.

I love Specter:

“We don’t like Big Pharma … so we run away from it and leap into the arms of Big Placebo”

Vaccine-autism claims, “Frankenfood” bans, the herbal cure craze: All point to the public’s growing fear (and, often, outright denial) of science and reason, says Michael Specter. He warns the trend spells disaster for human progress.

Michael Specter is a staff writer for the New Yorker. His new book, Denialism, asks why we have increasingly begun to fear scientific advances instead of embracing them.

As he quotes H. L. Mencken:

“You’re entited to your own opinion, but you’re not entitled to your own facts”

Creationism vs. science?

Myth: The media accurately reports breast cancer science

FALSE. Breast cancer is a complex disease with complex treatments. It is often difficult to capture all essential pieces of information in a short news segment or article.

Coming up on the five o’clock news: scientists have discovered a cure for breast cancer.

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Global warming? What a hoax!

Dive into the latest debate over science and global warming. Does the scientific research back up the warnings about ice caps melting, temperatures rising and massive disaster? Do you really need to worry now about climate change? Take a look at Mark Fiore’s latest political animation!