BehaviorFebruary 1, 2021
Scientists Need to Be Kinder to One Another
Mutual criticism in research is necessary, but it needn’t be nasty
Stories by Naomi Oreskes
Naomi Oreskes is a professor of the history of science at Harvard University. She is author of Why Trust Science? (Princeton University Press, 2019) and co-author of The Big Myth (Bloomsbury, 2023).
Space & PhysicsJanuary 1, 2021
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
PolicyDecember 1, 2020
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
PolicyNovember 1, 2020
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
PolicyOctober 1, 2020
Racism and Sexism in Science Haven’t Disappeared
Those who argue that the system will magically self-correct are kidding themselves
PolicySeptember 1, 2020
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
ComputingSeptember 1, 2020
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
PolicyAugust 1, 2020
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
PolicyJuly 1, 2020
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 SciencesJune 1, 2020
Small Numbers Can Have Huge Impacts on Climate and Health
A number can be tiny in relative terms but hugely important nonetheless
PolicyMay 1, 2020
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
PolicyApril 1, 2020
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
PolicyMarch 1, 2020
Ensuring Measurement Devices Are Accurate Is Tedious but Crucial
Instrument calibration is essential for science—and justice
OpinionFebruary 24, 2020
Fossil-Fuel Subsidies Must End
Despite claims to the contrary, eliminating them would have a significant effect in addressing the climate crisis
Public HealthFebruary 1, 2020
So Is It Okay to Eat More Red and Processed Meat?
A study last October said so, but the journal’s decision to publish wasn’t necessarily okay
PolicyJanuary 1, 2020
Don’t Fact-Check Scientific Judgment Calls
They’re not meant to be taken as gospel truths
Climate ChangeAugust 19, 2019
Scientists Have Been Underestimating the Pace of Climate Change
A book entitled Discerning Experts explains why—and what can be done about it
Climate ChangeDecember 1, 2015
Without Government, the Marketplace Will Not Solve Climate Change
Whether or not the world reaches an international emissions agreement, the U.S. government holds the real solution