Dave Farina, a science communicator and creator behind Professor Dave Explains, dives into how the internet's role has shifted from a knowledge source to a hub of misinformation. He discusses why it's crucial to discern fact from fiction, especially regarding beliefs like the flat Earth theory. Farina also tackles the misconceptions surrounding natural versus synthetic substances, emphasizing that toxic effects can arise from both. He advocates for scientific literacy to combat chemophobia and challenges the allure of alternative medicine, highlighting the importance of evidence-based practices.
How the Internet went from a promising reservoir of unlimited knowledge for all to an insidious superspreader of disinformation.
Why it's easier than ever for people to simply deny inconvenient facts that don't support their worldview.
How NASA went from the revered public institution that miraculously landed human beings on the moon to the scapegoat for conspiracy theorists who insist the Earth is flat.
Why synthetic doesn't always equate with bad, and natural doesn't automatically mean good.
Who profits from the proliferation of fake science, and what can we do to separate the wheat from the chaff when we're bombarded with copious amounts of fact and fiction?