Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Mark Wright, MD's avatar

ER physician here. We are seeing trickles of COVID and a lot of Influenza-A right now. I’ve never seen Flu this late in the season; never in June. Some Flu cases vaccinated, some not. Why is this? My apology if you addressed this already in prior post. Mark/Tucson, AZ

Expand full comment
EcstaticRationalist's avatar

Thanks as always for your clear, data-based postings.

As a social scientist, I will note that Brandolini's Law has been in play since the beginning of the epidemic (and actually, in a wide variety of science-denying efforts for decades, going back to debates about the health implications of cigarette smoking and beyond).

I think scientists still often tend to shrug their shoulders when confronted with obvious woo and dis/misinformation. It is difficult and painful, and frequently futile to try to counteract people's irrational beliefs. It often takes a life-changing experience for someone to change their mind, especially if they have publicly espoused a contra-factual position. Many people will literally die rather than change.

That said, I think there are a lot of good attempts (including yours) to provide accurate information. The problem is that science-based communications are trying to use logic, facts and rational thinking to counter emotional, "magical" disinformation. Critical thinking is a learned skill, that requires effort and the ability to admit you are wrong and that someone else might be right. It is hard work, and many people were not taught the necessary skills and are too tired/overworked/bombarded by deceptive messaging about everything in their life to have the strength of will to learn to be critical and apply the skill regularly.

Expand full comment
31 more comments...

No posts