Making Sense with Sam Harris #222 — A Pandemic of Incompetence
Oct 28, 2020
Nicholas Christakis, a physician and sociologist at Yale and author of "Apollo's Arrow," dives into the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic. He explores the breakdown of trust in institutions and how political interference corrupted scientific integrity. Christakis discusses mortality metrics, questioning whether deaths were over-reported, and emphasizes the need for better public health communication. He also reflects on the future of universities, long-term social changes, and the critical importance of preparedness for pandemics.
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Societal Barriers to Pandemic Response
- The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a thinning of intellectual culture and a denigration of expertise.
- This, combined with political polarization and a loss of nuance, hinders an effective response.
Politicization of Science
- Political pressures on scientists have revealed their human fallibility, eroding public trust in scientific communication.
- Both the right and the left have contributed to this erosion of trust in different ways.
Science and Politics
- The politicization of science during COVID-19 raises complex questions about the role of experts in government.
- The US response has been inept, especially given early warnings and available resources.
