Maybe we should talk about "science communication" rather than science. This is an entirely different category, and SC not mirror science e.g in it's process f

Maybe we should talk about "science communication" rather than science. This is an entirely different category, and SC not mirror science e.g in it's process following scientific processes/principles, despite the dependencies between the fields. For post talks about what "policymakers and scientists really think" - it doesn't matter what scientists think (in this context), this is about policymakers and science-communicators (who may or may not also be scientists, or have such a background). TLDR, scientific authority has been "weaponised", and the backlash is as much against the weapon as the wielder. Not a surprise the true wielders are scapegoating "scientists" as the instigators.