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Hi All,

Here's a thoughtful and well written essay highlighting the role of scientific evidence and its play in social settings and decision making.  It bears directly on some recent discussion in the Exploratorium in-house listserve related to medical quackery--the  water vitalizer discussion--creationism, vaccinations and autism, and global warming.  Have a read.  It's relatively short but really good at highlighting the role of science communication and education.

http://theconversation.com/no-matter-how-strong-the-evidence-on-climate-change-deniers-will-keep-denying-14496 

It makes me think: No matter the topic and ensuing discussion, I suspect there are highly genetically conserved reasons for our lack of social consensus on anything.  It's ultimately and intimately rooted in life's ultimate safety net from extinction--variability.  Would that we could know the future and past with absolute certainty, but we can't, that's what science ultimately says; it's a probability game,––physics and life is always hedges their bets.  There may be a vital and proportional relationship between ignorance and stupidity, and education and intelligence and our survival.  No matter the evidence, there's always someone or thing that provides the exception and saves the day for whatever the ultimate reason.  It's inherent and how we continue.

C

Charles Carlson
Senior Scientist | Teacher Institute

http://blogs.exploratorium.edu/whyintercept/
Twitter: @charliec53
email: [log in to unmask] 
Tel:   415-528-4319
Fax:  415-885-6011
exploratorium.edu
facebook.com/exploratorium twitter.com/exploratorium
The Embarcadero, Piers15 & 17
S.F., CA 94111





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