Interview - Barbara Hofer and Gale Sinatra on Science Denial

Jonathan and Chris talk to Dr. Barbara Hofer and Dr. Gale Sinatra, the authors of the book Science Denial: Why It Happens and What to Do About It. It’s a course in skepticism 101 as they discuss decision-making, doing your own research, and the post-truth era.

 

1:46 Why write a book about science denial now?

4:50 Irrational decision-making

6:17 Politicizing science and manufacturing doubt

16:30 Just asking questions and doing your own research

22:51 How to refute misconceptions and a note on the backfire effect

30:43 Patience and empathy in the time of the pandemic

32:38 Algorithmic literacy

33:55 Are the deniers aware of the true reasons for their science denial?

36:00 The post-truth era

39:32 Solutions for harm reduction

 

 

* Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.

 

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Links:

1) The book Science Denial: https://www.sciencedenialbook.com/

2) The Debunking Handbook: https://www.climatechangecommunication.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/DebunkingHandbook2020.pdf