Michael Specter: The danger of science denial

http://www.ted.com/talks/michael_specter_the_danger_of_science_denial.html?utm_source=newsletter_weekly_2010-04-13&utm_campaign=newsletter_weekly&utm_medium=email

Michael Specter's discussion of the danger of science denial was very interesting. I see I am not the only one who worries about the future of our world. Doctors on news reports warn of pandemics, hunger, disease's with no cures, and viruses stronger than our strongest medicines. Actresses and actors come forward with ideas they have formed on their own, and who does the media pay attention to? Tom Cruise says depression and postpartum depression aren't real and Jenny McCarthy says autism is caused by vaccinations and it's all people can talk about. Spencer says, "We've lost faith in progress, institutions, authority and science." He says we have become sceptical of what was once seen as truth. As I mentioned in my comments on another entry, there is a need for institutionalized education. It is only possible to self-educate to a point. After that point, a person needs to depend on others who have conducted their own studies, and learn to depend on the truth in history to shape our current knowledge. Spencer says, when something is proved believe it. Please stop questioning the known and begin searching the unknown.