The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine SGEM Xtra: Illusion – What you Don’t Know and Why it Matters
Aug 9, 2025
Timothy Caulfield, a Canadian law professor and health policy expert, dives deep into the complexities of science communication and misinformation. He discusses the power of language in vaccine debates, urging clarity over stigmatization. Intellectual humility is highlighted as a vital tool against misinformation. The conversation delves into evolving medical practices, the pitfalls of online opinions, and the cultural allure of UFOs. Caulfield emphasizes the urgent need for effective science communication to navigate today's challenges.
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Paradox Of More Knowledge, More Doubt
- We face a knowledge crisis: more information but greater uncertainty and division.
- Systemic incentives and an unstable info environment make everyone more susceptible to misinformation.
Scienceploitation: Credibility Shortcuts
- Scientific words like 'quantum', 'stem cell' or 'microbiome' are used as credibility shortcuts.
- That 'scienceploitation' succeeds because people rely on quick markers of legitimacy in a chaotic info environment.
Track Changes In Your Beliefs
- Keep a list of beliefs you've changed due to evidence to normalise updating views.
- Treat updating as positive rather than 'flip-flopping'.
