Science Denial

This week, we discussed a research study published in Science: "Are Women Really More Talkative Than Men?" We did our usual assigned questions from the back of the book and discussed them, along with some of our thoughts and criticisms of the study. However, one topic of discussion arose near the end of the hour: "Is this study relevant anymore?" While the methods the study used to acquire its data (the EAR), were certainly novel, the stereotype it aims to address isn't. The stereotype of women being more "talkative and gossipy" than "strong, silent" men has been portrayed in numerous forms of media, including movies and TV shows. But now, I don't think anyone believes in that stereotype.

While many studies like the one discussed above contribute to scientific progress, there are a few that have made a significant (sometimes unwanted) impact on our society. We've all heard of Andrew Wakefield's study that supposedly demonstrated a link between Autism and the MMR vaccine. Now if there is one study within the past few decades that has changed our perception of science, it's this one. Wakefield's study truly shows the power of confirmation bias. Even though it was published more than a decade ago, antivaxxers still point to it as evidence, regardless of the mountain of research that has since discredited it.

Furthermore, antivaxxers are only a part of people who deny scientific fact because they don't like what it means. I've seen countless posts online of people who talk about the "dangerous chemicals" in our food and water, and there's nothing else that makes me more frustrated. Below is a pretty interesting picture I saw, but make sure you read the entire thing!

Anyway, that's it for this week's blog! I know it was kind of all over the place, but it really do be like that sometimes.