KQED's Forum Leading Climate and Vaccine Scientists on How to Fight Antiscience
Sep 11, 2025
Peter Hotez, a leading vaccine researcher, and Michael Mann, a prominent climatologist, dive into the alarming rise of the antiscience movement, which threatens public health and environmental integrity. They share personal stories of battling disinformation and the emotional toll it takes on scientists. The duo discusses the dangerous interplay between misinformation and public sentiment, especially regarding vaccines and climate change. Their new book, 'Science Under Siege,' offers strategies for combating this pervasive threat to scientific discourse.
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David Lynch's 'King Of The Lizards' Story
- Peter Hotez recounts dining with filmmaker David Lynch and hearing a whimsical 'king of the lizards' story from him.
- The anecdote illustrates humanizing, unusual moments behind public figures.
Refusing A Performative Public Debate
- Peter Hotez describes being taunted to debate RFK Jr. on Joe Rogan and facing a massive online pile-on.
- He refused because he saw the request as performative and not in good faith, which led to intense harassment.
Doubt As An Industry Playbook
- Michael Mann links modern anti-science tactics to the tobacco playbook of manufacturing doubt.
- He shows how fossil fuel and other industries reused that strategy to cast uncertainty as reason for inaction.
