There are those…and we know who they are…who deny science fact simply because it differs from their stubbornly held preconceived notions otherwise known as faith. Faith relies on a need to believe, fact/truth doesn’t.
I teach biology at a major university. There are so many aspects of biological science that students (and society) push back on because of their feelings and beliefs. Evolution is a big one, and one might think that a refusal to believe in evolution doesn’t matter. Well, mutations in a virus and how well it transmits matter. Climate change matters if organisms can’t evolve to live in a warming climate. Of course, if one doesn’t believe in Covid-19 I guess its mutations in it are irrelevant. I resent being ruled by superstitions and beliefs based on nothing. Evidence matters.
Also, just because an individual was able to make tons of money in crypto does not automatically make them an expert in anything else.
Why are we so afraid of listening to people who actually know what they’re talking about?
Excellent bit. This is the kind of stuff I wish I could read every morning. Tyson's powerful statements that science is "a process of querying nature" and that it is the objectivity of science that leads to the discovery of truth, hints that sometimes people don't want to recognize that the questions change - the "querying nature" - which can clarify what is true. Seems that it causes too much discomfort for people who crave a black and white, unchanging, solid ground only.
Queries evolve and new proofs are presented all the time. (For instance, 16th and 17th c. astronomers Copernicus and Galileo argued and proved heliocentrism; until then, the Church enforced through the torture of the Inquisition, that geocentrism was known fact). As Tyson says, it's the unemotional objectivity of science that will lead to the truth. We just have to develop our sea legs and enjoy the ride.
There is science, there are facts, and there are people who think they know better than anyone else. Sadly, many of the leaders of our country fall in the third category because if they admit the truth of the first two, they would not be as "powerful" as they think they are. There is an old saying "if you can't dazzle them with your brilliance, baffle them with your BS". That seems to be the plan of many currently in government and we will all pay the price if we don't vote them out.
Interesting and accurate assessment, as always. The next steps here, as I see it, are to address the psychological element. Denial is a defense mechanism employed when someone does not want to face reality. The climate crisis is an existential threat that is too profound for many people to confront. It’s easier to deny it. Also, while the problem is getting worse rapidly and exponentially, compared to the average term of a human life, it can seem like the consequences may arise in the distant future (as opposed to the truth that they are manifesting now). It’s human nature to put off issues until there is an immediate and urgent need to resolve them. Another factor is that the average person is relatively powerless in affecting real reversal of climate change. So it would take sustained, massive pressure from people petitioning their governments to take action. I don’t have any concrete answers here, but it seems to me we have to change the hearts and minds of people en masse first and then organize.
"Science is a systemic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe."
"Alternative Facts", are unrealism, nonsense, delusions, fallacies, and untruths.
Too many deniers are helping destroy the democracy our founding fathers fought so hard to establish..
The the last line in your piece, " If you don't see that, we're all in trouble". Neil DeGrasse Tyson is correct, and I hope Americans will see what is happening before it's too late.🙏
I had these same thoughts ( expressed in your essay) when I saw this movie. Does art mimic life or life mimic art? Some people reject, deny, fear facts. Others are open , accepting and reactive. It seems today this is true in every single facet of life. Trying to understand human behavior is a never ending roller coaster ride. Have a great day!
I love the title of today’s newsletter: If everyone denies the facts, are they still facts?
Yes they are still facts because facts are supported with objective evidence and fact checking😃
In my world (science/ research and development), facts are supported with data through studies, observations and validations. Facts are established with justification.
Also, in science there are hypothesis and hypothesis testing.
A theory or an assumption is called hypothesis and this is the starting point for further investigation.
Hypotheses are tested through statistics and from the outcome of the results, the conclusion of the hypothesis is rejected or fail to reject.
I can’t imagine how not sharing reality portends for humans and the planet they inhabit. Vigorous disagreements about what to do regarding this shared reality is fair game in my opinion. Facts that are empirically based are supposed to be modified as new information occurs; that is proof of science working. Science is not the answer for everything but it supports epistemology rather than magical thinking. I think that’s what Tyson was saying. For me the hunger that many people have to believe alternative reality is worthy of notice and support. I appreciate that existential hunger. I just feel that hunger is being exploited and supplanted with autocratic expansion. That sounds so sinister to me. I appreciate how you provide information without subjugation
Yes! The facts are the facts! Sadly people would rather believe someone they like rather than check into what they are saying. Believe you me, Mr. Melber, survivors all over this country know what is fact and what is not (our trauma has given us a heightened sense of discerning the truth from a lie)! We would love to take a megaphone and scream the facts to the top of our lungs until those who need to believe them, believes them!
It's beyond bizarre. I reflect back on growing up in what seems like a totally different world. Empirical observation bolstered by scientific trial is the ONLY acceptable way to form a belief system. Once that is called into question, you enter the world of make believe and/or denial of concrete evidence. The question is, "Why has this been forsaken by so many people?" Facts are based on repeatable and observable methodology. There are no "alternative facts." There is only the pathologic state of delusion for which we will pay dearly.
Objective truth is essential to a functioning, enlightened society. The monopoly of truth is what caused the Dark Ages. Mass communication; ie., movable type helped us out of the darkness. Now, mass communication is threatening society by spreading none truths. Reasonable regulation, such as modifying immunity for social platforms must be implemented before it destroys us!
We seem to live in an upside down world what was truth is no longer truth, science has been here to help and guide us, it seems some of us would perfer to believe we know everything, which we do not, we open ourselves to have faith, trust and learning.
On this journey call life, we learn new things everything day, when we go to our doctor if we have a medical issue we have faith and trust the he will do whatever he can to make it better. Science , medicine etc., are here to help us learn and understand old and new things. It is sad when we close ourselves off from learning, does not matter what age we are we should not close ourselves off the world is here to be explored. Great article as usual. Thank you😊👍
When I was in the 4th grade (I'm 63 now, so it's been a while, but I remember this as if I learned it yesterday) we were given this definition of science: "Science is an organized body of knowledge that helps us understand the past so we can create and/or predict the future." Outside of the definition, our teacher also taught us that things change. For example, polio wasn't always a thing. AIDS, Ebola, a round Earth, climate change. . .who knew?!
I am amazed by people who won't see what is right in front of them. Shrinking glaciers, massive forest fires, and how many tornadoes in Mississippi already this year?! On the other hand, they believe pedophile rings exist in the basement of Papa John's and that elections were stolen - all with absolutely zero evidence.
On the other hand, I do not believe in God. I love the "idea" of a God, but I don't believe such a thing exists anymore than does the tooth fairy or the Easter Bunny. And, I don't believe it because I don't see any evidence of it. I'm not one to take things at face value or to believe something just because I'm told it's true. People have given up trying to tell me the evidence is staring me in the face...it's right there in front of me if I'd only look!
I wholeheartedly believe in Science. I can see it, hear it, smell it, taste it, and hold it in my hands. So, while it's easy for me to be frustrated with "those stupid people" who don't believe in Science, I know a lot of people who are equally as frustrated with me. Every day I wonder what is the solution.
I don’t know where to post this, but I need to be heard: You have spent time talking about Student Loan debt…what about someone approaching 75 who went back to school at 55 and finished BA, Masters and Teaching Credential. Taught pre-k special Ed for 15 years… What about my $70000 in Student Loans???
There are those…and we know who they are…who deny science fact simply because it differs from their stubbornly held preconceived notions otherwise known as faith. Faith relies on a need to believe, fact/truth doesn’t.
I teach biology at a major university. There are so many aspects of biological science that students (and society) push back on because of their feelings and beliefs. Evolution is a big one, and one might think that a refusal to believe in evolution doesn’t matter. Well, mutations in a virus and how well it transmits matter. Climate change matters if organisms can’t evolve to live in a warming climate. Of course, if one doesn’t believe in Covid-19 I guess its mutations in it are irrelevant. I resent being ruled by superstitions and beliefs based on nothing. Evidence matters.
Also, just because an individual was able to make tons of money in crypto does not automatically make them an expert in anything else.
Why are we so afraid of listening to people who actually know what they’re talking about?
Excellent bit. This is the kind of stuff I wish I could read every morning. Tyson's powerful statements that science is "a process of querying nature" and that it is the objectivity of science that leads to the discovery of truth, hints that sometimes people don't want to recognize that the questions change - the "querying nature" - which can clarify what is true. Seems that it causes too much discomfort for people who crave a black and white, unchanging, solid ground only.
Queries evolve and new proofs are presented all the time. (For instance, 16th and 17th c. astronomers Copernicus and Galileo argued and proved heliocentrism; until then, the Church enforced through the torture of the Inquisition, that geocentrism was known fact). As Tyson says, it's the unemotional objectivity of science that will lead to the truth. We just have to develop our sea legs and enjoy the ride.
There is science, there are facts, and there are people who think they know better than anyone else. Sadly, many of the leaders of our country fall in the third category because if they admit the truth of the first two, they would not be as "powerful" as they think they are. There is an old saying "if you can't dazzle them with your brilliance, baffle them with your BS". That seems to be the plan of many currently in government and we will all pay the price if we don't vote them out.
Interesting and accurate assessment, as always. The next steps here, as I see it, are to address the psychological element. Denial is a defense mechanism employed when someone does not want to face reality. The climate crisis is an existential threat that is too profound for many people to confront. It’s easier to deny it. Also, while the problem is getting worse rapidly and exponentially, compared to the average term of a human life, it can seem like the consequences may arise in the distant future (as opposed to the truth that they are manifesting now). It’s human nature to put off issues until there is an immediate and urgent need to resolve them. Another factor is that the average person is relatively powerless in affecting real reversal of climate change. So it would take sustained, massive pressure from people petitioning their governments to take action. I don’t have any concrete answers here, but it seems to me we have to change the hearts and minds of people en masse first and then organize.
"Science is a systemic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe."
"Alternative Facts", are unrealism, nonsense, delusions, fallacies, and untruths.
Too many deniers are helping destroy the democracy our founding fathers fought so hard to establish..
The the last line in your piece, " If you don't see that, we're all in trouble". Neil DeGrasse Tyson is correct, and I hope Americans will see what is happening before it's too late.🙏
I had these same thoughts ( expressed in your essay) when I saw this movie. Does art mimic life or life mimic art? Some people reject, deny, fear facts. Others are open , accepting and reactive. It seems today this is true in every single facet of life. Trying to understand human behavior is a never ending roller coaster ride. Have a great day!
Hi Ari 😃It’s almost Fri-YAY😃
I love the title of today’s newsletter: If everyone denies the facts, are they still facts?
Yes they are still facts because facts are supported with objective evidence and fact checking😃
In my world (science/ research and development), facts are supported with data through studies, observations and validations. Facts are established with justification.
Also, in science there are hypothesis and hypothesis testing.
A theory or an assumption is called hypothesis and this is the starting point for further investigation.
Hypotheses are tested through statistics and from the outcome of the results, the conclusion of the hypothesis is rejected or fail to reject.
Facts matter😃😃😃
Have a nice day, Ari😃
My two favorites: Ari Melber and Neil DeGrasse Tyson. I could listen to them both all day❤️❤️❤️
I can’t imagine how not sharing reality portends for humans and the planet they inhabit. Vigorous disagreements about what to do regarding this shared reality is fair game in my opinion. Facts that are empirically based are supposed to be modified as new information occurs; that is proof of science working. Science is not the answer for everything but it supports epistemology rather than magical thinking. I think that’s what Tyson was saying. For me the hunger that many people have to believe alternative reality is worthy of notice and support. I appreciate that existential hunger. I just feel that hunger is being exploited and supplanted with autocratic expansion. That sounds so sinister to me. I appreciate how you provide information without subjugation
Yes! The facts are the facts! Sadly people would rather believe someone they like rather than check into what they are saying. Believe you me, Mr. Melber, survivors all over this country know what is fact and what is not (our trauma has given us a heightened sense of discerning the truth from a lie)! We would love to take a megaphone and scream the facts to the top of our lungs until those who need to believe them, believes them!
It's beyond bizarre. I reflect back on growing up in what seems like a totally different world. Empirical observation bolstered by scientific trial is the ONLY acceptable way to form a belief system. Once that is called into question, you enter the world of make believe and/or denial of concrete evidence. The question is, "Why has this been forsaken by so many people?" Facts are based on repeatable and observable methodology. There are no "alternative facts." There is only the pathologic state of delusion for which we will pay dearly.
Objective truth is essential to a functioning, enlightened society. The monopoly of truth is what caused the Dark Ages. Mass communication; ie., movable type helped us out of the darkness. Now, mass communication is threatening society by spreading none truths. Reasonable regulation, such as modifying immunity for social platforms must be implemented before it destroys us!
We seem to live in an upside down world what was truth is no longer truth, science has been here to help and guide us, it seems some of us would perfer to believe we know everything, which we do not, we open ourselves to have faith, trust and learning.
On this journey call life, we learn new things everything day, when we go to our doctor if we have a medical issue we have faith and trust the he will do whatever he can to make it better. Science , medicine etc., are here to help us learn and understand old and new things. It is sad when we close ourselves off from learning, does not matter what age we are we should not close ourselves off the world is here to be explored. Great article as usual. Thank you😊👍
When I was in the 4th grade (I'm 63 now, so it's been a while, but I remember this as if I learned it yesterday) we were given this definition of science: "Science is an organized body of knowledge that helps us understand the past so we can create and/or predict the future." Outside of the definition, our teacher also taught us that things change. For example, polio wasn't always a thing. AIDS, Ebola, a round Earth, climate change. . .who knew?!
I am amazed by people who won't see what is right in front of them. Shrinking glaciers, massive forest fires, and how many tornadoes in Mississippi already this year?! On the other hand, they believe pedophile rings exist in the basement of Papa John's and that elections were stolen - all with absolutely zero evidence.
On the other hand, I do not believe in God. I love the "idea" of a God, but I don't believe such a thing exists anymore than does the tooth fairy or the Easter Bunny. And, I don't believe it because I don't see any evidence of it. I'm not one to take things at face value or to believe something just because I'm told it's true. People have given up trying to tell me the evidence is staring me in the face...it's right there in front of me if I'd only look!
I wholeheartedly believe in Science. I can see it, hear it, smell it, taste it, and hold it in my hands. So, while it's easy for me to be frustrated with "those stupid people" who don't believe in Science, I know a lot of people who are equally as frustrated with me. Every day I wonder what is the solution.
I don’t know where to post this, but I need to be heard: You have spent time talking about Student Loan debt…what about someone approaching 75 who went back to school at 55 and finished BA, Masters and Teaching Credential. Taught pre-k special Ed for 15 years… What about my $70000 in Student Loans???