RE: Investigating the truth behind @steemtruth’s “truth” - Part 2: Vaccines Increase Your Chances of Catching Infectious Disease?
Thank you for taking the time to address these pertinent points and putting yourself out there on a contentious issue. I have gone through the vaccination debates ad nauseum on both ends (cue joke about a vaccine preventable disease making you purge at both ends), so I know where these subjects can lead and how unreasonable people can be when discussing this, especially with the pseudo-anonymity of the internet.
You have created an eloquent and thorough deconstruction of the conclusions that were erroneously drawn by steemtruth, and supported by his followers and fans (lol@truthtrain's incoherent babbling and talking ridiculous shit; dude's become unhinged in grandiose conspiratorial thinking). It is quite intellectually dishonest for them to selectively cherry-pick evidence that supports a narrative through lying by omission, all while simultaneously accusing scientists of the same, or worse. Forgivable if they don't know any better, but I think they do know better than to appeal to poor reasoning.
I also appreciate that you are a research toxicologist writing this article who can properly analyze data and interpret figures; this is important, as it means this information isn't just more ideologically driven spam from science-enthusiasts that may misrepresent the facts to further their "I'm right, your wrong" narrative (e.g. "vaccines are 100% effective!"). Your analysis is honest and empirically driven, leaving possibility for doubt, and acknowledging that nothing is 100% effective.
The level of certainty that the anti-vaccination crowd speaks with is concerning, and shows a lack of appreciation for the importance of being uncertain. If there is no room for doubt there is no room for progress. It is refreshing to see that you understand the value and importance of being uncertain.
Thank you again for taking the time to address these articles in a thorough point-by-point manner.
Cheers!
Thank you for that voice of reason sco and molecular-wizard.
The anti-vacc and similar arguments (Ahem, flat-earthers) area easily proven inaccurate (or outright false) when someone who really knows the subject matter speaks up. We see here a case where one side forms an opinion before doing any research, then cherry picks evidence that supports their idea while ignoring opposing evidence.
Science is about finding REAL trends in large data sets in order to provide the best possible explanation, even if there is doubt. It's a shame so many people instantly discount valid scientific arguments as soon as they hear any doubt. Understanding and admitting your argument might be wrong in certain cases makes it a strong argument, not a weak one.
Uncertainty leads to curiosity which leads to knowledge.
Great post sco, looking forward to more.
Thank you! If you wanted a bit of humor, I posted something earlier this week that was satirical with respect to vaccinations under a deliberately clickbait sounding title: https://steemit.com/science/@molecular-wizard/truth-revealed-shocking-vaccine-consequences-you-will-not-believe
The degree of insular thinking these days is becoming problematic. Instead of people engaging with facts or evidence it seems that individuals silo into their preferred narrative and take to their familiar ideological battlements to reiterate the simplistic talking points and shout over one another. This is making us dumber.
thank you for you attention and the thorough reading.
I had to mute the truthtrain guy after he told me to "abort some babies". I can't see him anymore - which turns out to be quite a convenience as well^^
I really liked the point you made about science-enthusiasts. I see a lot of this on social media, like from shares from pages named "I fucking love science." It's good to be involved and to advocate for science, but acting like vaccines are completely safe and effective 100% of the time for 100% of the people just makes people latch on to vaccine-negative attitudes when it's shown that these claims aren't true.