Re:Has Carl June Found a Key to Fighting Cancer?
by lutusp on Monday August 19, 2013 @05:43AM
(#6236351)
> And I believe that's partially caused by scientists not selling themselves properly.
From a public relations perspective, yes, that makes sense. But from a professional perspective it's a non-starter, because scientists are trained to doubt everything, including their own work. Scientists who become boosters for science itself end up being shunned by other scientists -- witness Carl Sagan's inability to be inducted into the National Academy of Science, thought to result from his science popularization activities.
So don't count on scientists to be public science representatives or boosters -- it conflicts with scientific skepticism and objectivity, normally thought to be a "good thing".
The word natural is the only working homeopathic. The more you dilute it, the stronger it seems to become. Hell, there are "Natural Taste Malboros" out there, with their packaging resembling coarse brown paper. They aren't exactly healthier, are they?
Yes, more aggressive public education in skepticism and rational thinking will certainly help to an extent, but it's preaching to the reformed. For those children which have been indoctrinated by their parents that science isn't to be trusted, and that technology is trying to repress us? It'll just play into that narrative. Australia is withdrawing child benefits from people not vaccinating their children. How long do you think it will take till that's another selling point on those anti-vac sites?