Why do some people distrust science and deny its conclusions? AV member and discussion leader Allan Griff is a chemist, engineer and anthropologist with an interest in why people deny and fear impersonal science. Allan presents this topic for our discussion this month: Why do so many people distrust science and deny its conclusions? Some of this is obvious in the current arguments about social distancing and wearing masks. Electric vehicles are considered "green," ignoring or downplaying the costs and sources of power needed to generate the electriticity. "Plastiphobes" reject plastics and call them unnatural and chemical, although we are all "chemical," and plastics do so much for us by saving weight, resisting corrosion and breakage, protecting against pathogens and spoilage, and more. As for natural, there are many toxic natural materials, and many unnatural (synthetic) medications and other life-giving medical uses. Allan will start the discussion, but this is not a lecture; to the contrary, participants are encouraged to suggest other examples and discuss possible reasons why scientific conclusions are avoided. Fur further reading, see Allan's article on plastiphobic beliefs at https://www.plasticstoday.com/materials/open-letter-plastiphobes-about-material-you-love-hate/93955970163010. And you don't have to be there to participate: anyone can write an up-to-100-word comment based on this topic. Send them in audrenew@gmail.com and we'll read it during the session as time permits, and if you're "there" by Zoom you can read it yourself with or without further comment.
Join Zoom Meeting August 12, 2020 3:00pm-4:30pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7697516320