Policy
Why Bad Science Is Sometimes More Appealing Than Good Science
Researchers cite studies that can’t be replicated weirdly often
Stories by Naomi Oreskes
Policy
If You Say ‘Science Is Right,’ You’re Wrong
It can’t supply absolute truths about the world, but it brings us steadily closer
Policy
The Reason Some Republicans Mistrust Science: Their Leaders Tell Them To
GOP officials have been denigrating the government, including government scientists, for decades
Climate Change
That ‘Obama Scientist’ Climate Skeptic You’ve Been Hearing About ...
His track record on getting climate science right is extremely poor
Behavior
Making Vaccines Is Straightforward; Getting People to Take Them Isn’t
Our instincts are unreliable about which problems are easy to solve and which are hard
Policy
Scientists Should Admit They Bring Personal Values to Their Work
Value neutrality among researchers is a myth that hurts the public trust of science
Policy
Expert Opinion Can’t Be Trusted if You Consult the Wrong Sort of Expert
The failure of the U.S. to respond appropriately to the pandemic could have been predicted if anyone had bothered to ask social scientists
Behavior
Scientists Need to Be Kinder to One Another
Mutual criticism in research is necessary, but it needn’t be nasty
Space & Physics
Exploring Space Can Unite the U.S.—but Not in the Way You Might Think
Survey show that Americans want NASA to monitor climate change and asteroid threats, not land astronauts on the moon
Policy
To Understand How Science Denial Works, Look to History
The same tactics used to cast doubt on the dangers of smoking and climate change are now being used to downplay COVID
Policy
Scientists Failed to Use Common Sense Early in the Pandemic
The WHO’s initial advice not to wear masks in the fight to contain COVID sowed dangerous confusion
Policy
Racism and Sexism in Science Haven’t Disappeared
Those who argue that the system will magically self-correct are kidding themselves
Computing
Unlimited Information Is Transforming Society
Technology is blurring the lines between consumers and producers, amateurs and professionals, and laypeople and experts. We’re just starting to understand the implications
Policy
The False Logic behind Science Denial
Those who argue that COVID-19 isn’t a real threat are mirroring bogus attacks on global warming and evolution
Policy
Jeffrey Epstein’s Harvard Connections Show How Money Can Distort Research
Letting the rich pay for science that interests them is a bad idea—even if they aren’t convicted sex offenders
Policy
Joining Pro-Business Groups Can Make Tech Firms Seem to Be Antiscience
Some trade organizations have distorted the facts on climate change and other issues to keep members’ profits high
The Sciences
Small Numbers Can Have Huge Impacts on Climate and Health
A number can be tiny in relative terms but hugely important nonetheless
Policy
Funding Cuts Threaten to Hobble American Science
Support for basic research helped to make the U.S. an economic powerhouse, but that’s now in danger
Policy
Why Do White Men and Scientists Tend to Downplay the Risks of Technology?
The naive answer is that white men and scientists are coldly rational—but that’s not the whole story
Policy
Ensuring Measurement Devices Are Accurate Is Tedious but Crucial
Instrument calibration is essential for science—and justice
