A blog dedicated to trust – and the urgent lack thereof. Trust in science, policy, and human beings.
Dormant Last read · last published · next check
Read 9 days ago and current, but nothing has been published for 6 years.
As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has spread across the globe, our daily environments have been drastically altered. The dependable rhythms of work, family, and friends have been shattered. In this state of uncertainty, it is striking how we have turned towards scientific experts as steady hands. Yet, too often it is thought, even by the experts themselves, that all they need do is to speak in the name…
Thanks to their education, science experts are accorded prestige and influence. This means that criticism of experts can quickly dismissed as irrational science-denial. As an "average citizen" it is therefore difficult to defend a position that avoids both blind trust and equally thoughtless mistrust. How can we avoid both naiveté and paranoia?
Scientific experts seem to have taken center stage with the corona pandemic. Often this is applauded as policy — finally! — being informed by science. However, what I see are scientific experts no longer acting as scientists, but overstepping into proto-policy making. Here is a puzzling example; judge for yourself.
Trust seems to have become such a pressing issue on many different fronts. The Coronacrisis is upending some previously held certainties, and it is no longer clear what actions are ‘naïve’ versus reasonable, or prudent versus ‘paranoid’. In these blog posts I’ll be taking my cue from statements circulating in the media or public debate, and either undermining these statements or trying to…
