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Science Is Losing Its Authority (and Its Partly Their Own Fault)
Respected Flister, Raven Moon, recently posted about the complicated controversy of GMOs. Good or bad? She is an intellectual, an academic, a college professor, and generally critical thinking but open-minded in her approach to things. We've been LJ friends for a long time. She doesn't believe that paranormal events occur, or at least not in some of them, for example, she thinks its unlikely aliens (or whatever) are visiting the planet and abducting people. She's told me so herself, but very respectfully, and I told her it didn't bother me because I could totally understand her skepticism. She would need to see evidence to think such a thing possible. Well– so would I. The difference is that I've led a life where I've been inundated periodically with paranormal encounters so I've had my proof. Multiple times. Even when I didn't want it…
ANYWAY! So Raven tends to support the more conventional viewpoints regarding such matters. The problem is, as well discussed in her recent post, there is a mentality arising in the American population that seems to be unstable, superstitious, etc. who tend to view things like GMOs with hostility. Because of this, many people who follow the conventional scientifically endorsed path, will declare that GMOs are safe and fine. She brings up that, actually, NO– there are some issues that need to be looked at more carefully, even though- yeah- some nut-jobs think they're dangerous.
Here is her post: raven-moon.livejournal.com/395858.html
Of course I had a long comment (in 2 parts) to that post. There's a bigger problem here than GMOs– and its that the establishment is losing its authority and “the people” are losing their faith. It may not be religious faith, but its nonetheless a faith in the social contract that the ones called ”experts” and endorsed by the powers-that-be will tell us the truth. Fewer and fewer people are buying it. I expressed that in my comments, copied & pasted below:
I had to laugh at your categories at the top of your post! Conspiracies certainly exist, although they are rarely as powerful and pervasive as some people like to believe. And I navigate a LOT of “fringe” crowds so I know of what I speak!
I've actually been harassed by black helicopters and complained to the police (along with several neighbors.) I've seen some odd things that could be called 'chem-trails' (IF real- and I have no firm opinion on this- not actually chemicals per se as aluminum bits scattered to reflect sunlight.) Aromatherapy is harmless and smells pretty, but I wouldn't use it for more than psychological soothing. Anti-vaccine people– AGREED, and DUH!
HOWEVER-! Even though I'm less black and white on these types of things than you are in many cases, I would have to say I agree almost 100% with your reasoning on the GMO issue. Its not that all things new and designed, even genetically, are evil or anything. But the issues you bring up (encourages over-use of chemicals, decreases bio-diversity, etc.) are legitimate concerns.
Unfortunately, I think this whole SCIENCE VS. “ANTI-SCIENCE” branding thing is going way too far and obscuring some real concerns. Just pointing a finger and calling names and saying, “People who disagree are CRAZY! Obviously!” is not going to encourage reason. Again, I've rolled my eyes at extremists in all sorts of areas that most ivory-tower intellectuals would scream to even entertain– while far enough out there in my own beliefs that many “mainstream” types would call ME crazy. You know this!
It IS indeed a minefield. Because at some point everyone stopped listening. Most people stopped trusting anything that didn't get an official endorsement from on high. By “most people” I mean only the sanctioned part of society. Problem is, a large minority of the population is diverging from the pack.
Let me explain from those who lean towards the “crazy” point of view…
Part of the problem is that strange and crazy-sounding things DO happen, and for ANYONE who comes across evidence that even ONE thing they've been told by the establishment is a lie, there is a breakdown of TRUST with this establishment that the media staunchly endorses. What I've seen happen, again and again, is that when people realize that those holy scientists and media talking heads aren't telling the whole side, aren't actually investigating to even find out if there's anything to these unanswered questions– they feel alienated from the process and summarily reject most of what comes out of it. They lose their faith in those who are supposed to tell them the truth.
This can lead to the whole conspiracy mindset. I myself am aware of some true conspiracies, but possible scenarios in that direction have been mostly mental masterbation for me. I don't take it all personally. But a lot of people do, and that's when reason and logic can go off the rails.
I have this odd perspective because I see many true believers of many stripes who STOP asking questions and looking for answers. That leads them to the weird ideas, such as the notion that vaccinations are bad for you.
Its obvious where THAT end of things can go wrong. However, the most frustrating thing for me is that now the establishment, using the endorsement of supposedly reasoned and logical experts, throws those words around to make ANYONE who wants to look deeper into almost ANYTHING seem like they're crazy.
Its obviously NOT crazy to investigate all the issues surrounding GMOs. Again, its actually reasonable to do so. But notice how the finger-pointing and name-calling seeks to, once again, turn everything into a simple, black and white, either science or not-science, moral reputation type of thing?
Science, and the scientific method, is, above all– supposed to be CURIOUS and collect information before coming to conclusions. What I see in what I call “dogmatic pseudo-science” is a culture of entrenched beliefs that actually try to SUPPRESS curiosity. Its assumed the answers are already known, but for a little tweaking on some details here and there, and all else is tossed summarily into the wastebasket.
If the respected intellectuals and the established authorities aren't going to ask the questions or poke into all those areas so many people are realizing aren't being covered, WHO WILL? Then you get a bunch of con men and fakirs stepping up to fill the gap. Its infuriating!
Now I'm noticing a growing backlash to all things scientific, even in areas where suspicion is NOT warranted, a perfect example being the vaccine conspiracy stories. Many independent studies were done, by different groups, who tested out the vaccine-as-harmful premise and found nothing there. But being lied to and ignored for so long has had its consequences… Almost a THIRD of the population, who has lost their faith, simply don't believe much of what they're told anymore.
This is a big problem and I fear that science will suffer for it. Calling people stupid and crazy, though, is part of why people are turning away.
There's my 200 cents! =^)
Source: http://lucretiasheart.livejournal.com/1034607.html
