In your opinion, how dangerous is public disinformation about scientific principles?

Question

Bill- I respectfully disagree with you. Global climate change is real. Take this from a non-biased scientist who has been following its effects for over a decade. You are correct that the current interest in global warming is very much faddish and cultlike; but the underlying science is incontrovertible.

Answer 1

How dangerous is it when large numbers of people believe in a falsehood? It's really only dangerous when the erroneous beliefs cause people to act somehow differently. Most of the time the effects are minor, but sometimes they're not - and with the *large* number of people believing the disinformation, it's clear that significant damage is being done.

It's clear that scientific progress is retarded by the disinformation. Unfortunately, the damage is hard to quantify, since we can't really know how things would have turned out if the damage hadn't been done. It is clear, however, that belief in "faith healers" and the like has directly caused people to die (because they stopped taking necessary medication).

What really gets me is when prominent people in the religious camp keep spreading information that they *know* is false. There are numerous instances where they've been shown that some claim of theirs is false, and where they've admitted that the claim is false - and then they've gone on to continue spreading it.

Some people actually believe that telling lies is justified if it gains converts... after all, "souls need to be saved". I really have to wonder about the ethics these people claim to follow.

Answer 2

Misinformation is hugely dangerous. The greatest changes to come on the planet will be brought about by scientific advance. Further, the evaluation and acceptance of true science and analytical results by the lay population will determine the course of our society and ultimately all life on the planet.

Even more dangerous is the bought and paid for science being spun out as real by "scientists" in the pocket of government, industry, or private concerns. This cult of dis-information has the potential to damage our species much more than any well-intended mistake or misinformation from REAL scientists.

Answer 3

Quite dangerous. For example, how long did it take the public to accept the proven scientific facts that smoking causes cancer and that global warming is happening. It could also foster racist ideas that are proven not to be true. Which can cause all sorts of problems. Disinformation and a stupid over reaction to 3 mile island has turned the entire US against a clean, reliable, carbon free energy source that could provide electricity and close down every coal burning plant. (Burning coal in this day and age???!!!) So it can be potentially calamatous. If too widespread, it would also lead to an ignorant unscientific, and superstitious public.

Answer 4

For the nation as a whole; very dangerous. We will lose our competitive edge if the present trend continues. A pure service economy can be easily outsourced, while innovation can arise continually from within. Assuming we stay innovative. People need to be trained to innovate in the top scientific echelons

Answer 5

I'm sorry. As I read your question, "Global Warming" sprang to my mind instantly.

I think the belief in man-made global warming is one of the most dangerous cults in history. They've got their sacrifices (industry, jobs, the economy), their indulgences if you are rich enough (carbon credits), their Holy Book (An Inconvenient Truth), their prophets (Al Gore, David Suzuki) and if you disagree with them, you're branded a heretic and you could lose your career.

Answer 6

Not very dangerous. Most people are ignorant of scientific teaching anyway.