Denying to the Grave: Why We Ignore the Science That Will Save Us w/ Sara and Jack Gorman

On this edition of Parallax Views, with anti-vaccination sentiments and climate change denial being phenomena in society the issue of what's been dubbed science denial has become a hot, relevant topic. Joining us to discuss this issue in ways that are empathetic, thoughtful, and nuanced are Jack M. Gorman and Sara E. Gorman, authors of Denying to the Grave: Why We Ignore the Science That Will Save Us (formerly Denying to the Grave: Why We Ignore the Facts That Will Save Us; this is a 2nd edition that's revised and updated). It's a fascinating conversation that takes us in many different directions including:

- A discussion of conspiracy theories and sorting out real conspiracies from fake ones
- The role of charismatic leaders in science denial and the problem of cult-like thinking
- What science is and isn't; science as a methodology
- Separating scientific data from political debates and Jack's experiences with data around gun safety
- How we're all prone to science denial whether we're right, left, conservative, liberal, socialist, Christian, or atheist
- The cases of anti-vaccination physician Andrew Wakefield and Peter Duesberg, the molecular biologist who put forth the claim that HIV does not cause AIDs
- Psychology and science denial
- How to talk about science and the need for better science journalism
- How trust in scientists is actually higher than we'd expect based on media reports about climate change denial and anti-vaxxers; public trust in science
- Assault on scientific institutions
- Healthy skepticism vs. denial
- And much, much more

Check out our sponsor Christopher Bell's new short film Trammell at https://slamdance.com/watch/trammel/ or https://www.youtube.com/user/slamdance