Michael Specter: The Danger of Science Denial

Posted: April 12th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: science | Tags: , , , , , | No Comments »

Just wanted to share another fantastic TED talk, this time from Michael Specter of The New Yorker.

In his talk, Specter argues that by any metric, we are currently living in the greatest time in which anybody could ever have lived throughout the entire history of the world. He then qualifies that claim by stating that if we don’t change popular opinion on the issues currently facing modern science, that state won’t last. In particular, Specter has beef with what most people call ‘junk science,’ including homeopathic medicines, herbal remedies, and the batshit-crazy beliefs of Jenny McCarthy. It is his belief that in order to solve the important problems that are facing modern science, we as a people must overcome our superstitious distrust toward the scientific method, and the gifts that it has brought humankind.

Enjoy.