The Bizarre, Modern Coalition of Anti-Science Forces
A wise Nebraska farmer I know taught me this saying: “It’s what you know for certain that keeps you from learning.” This principle is at the core of why certain groups and entities are rejecting good science.
As a scientist, and particularly as a scientist involved in agricultural and environmental issues, I’m increasingly aware of this trend. In some cases this involves open hostility to science, in others it is just a matter of ignoring the scientific input. What is disturbing is how many different “voices” are in this unlikely “coalition” and the extent to which they are coloring the views of the broader society (as seen in the recent Pew survey of American attitudes about climate change).
At acknowledged risk of offending people, I will try to describe factions in the groups that tend to reject things that science would tell them. I know that what I am talking about does not apply to everyone, or even most people in these groups, but it is still a potent force in our society.
