The Denial of Evolution and Evolution of Denial, Panel Discussion
This is a storified account of discussion following Sean Carroll's keynote address titled "The Denial of Evolution and Evolution of Denial," at the Science Writing in the Age of Denial conference at University of Wisconsin - Madison on April 23, 2012 in the 10:15 am session.
.@russellcris: Internet has made it easy for anti-science groups to put out their message earlier, head off rebuttal. #sciencedenial
Science, too. MT @AmandaMascarell "If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten." - Kipling #sciencedenial- .@danfagin: All journos would like to be impactful, but we need to recognize how that framing might alienate some audience. #sciencedenial
The quality of the messenger is as important as the quality of the message. #sciencedenial
Here is "Making of the Fittest," the film that Carroll is showing at #sciencedenial #denialconf: bit.ly/ILO0rP
Christine russell. Splintering of media prompts silos of political polarization. #sciencedenial
controversy is not about the science, it's about what to do about the science. #sciencedenial #denialconf- MT @kprengaman: @russelcris asks do you "believe" in climate change? Not a belief system; have to change language #denialconf #sciencedenial
YES! Science is NOT a *Belief* system! MT @tvjrennie @russellcris Shouldn't talk about "belief" in evo, climate change &c #sciencedenial- Should we frame science as "belief?" Panel thinks no. The #6 denialist strategy is primary. 1st five are smoke #sciencedenial #denialconf
- Carroll agrees w @robinhenig that the prev 5 are "smokescreens" of sorts. But also mentions good narratives now out there. #sciencedenial
- Me: Take the "smokescreen" objections seriously! For ppl in denialist social groups, they're real issues! #sciencedenial #denialconf
- Q: why do some issues blow up into big denialism, and others don't #denialconf #sciencedenial
- The biggies are the "charismatic megafauna" of denialism. Even lead poisoning has deniers. #denialconf #sciencedenial
Evolution, vaccines...these are the 'charismatic megafauna' of denialism issues...many others exist, says @deborahblum #denialconf
MT @claritychaos: Fagin: Have to address issues (evolution, climate) w/o threatening beliefs of audience #denialconf #sciencedenial
Question from the floor: skeptic asks what evidence do we have that denialism is increasing? #denialconf
.@danfagin There might not be more denialists, but they're more politically powerful and have bigger microphone thru new media. #denialconf
Dan Fagin. Sometimes we act like people r on Team Science or on Team Irrationality. Not the way it works. People pick and choose #denialconf
Fagin: Empathy key to effective communication. Respectful dialogue more productive, don't think of 'audience' as distant. #denialconf
Fagin: "The role of money in the political process" must explain why issues like climate change etc get such purchase #denialconf- The difference is political & financial advantage to be had by promoting denial in certain areas. #denialconf #sciencedenial
Cristine Russell: if the science is true, it demands action = inconvenient #denialconf
Love that description! MT @ejwillingham: @deborahblum describes evolution, climate chg as the "charismatic megafauna" of issues #denialconf
