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> I was in the academia for some years and didn't find in my field any expert that was incapable of distinguishing well proven Vs opinion. They are capable of
by graemep 1y ago
> I was in the academia for some years and didn't find in my field any expert that was incapable of distinguishing well proven Vs opinion.
They are capable of it, but they do not always bother to do it when talking to a non-academic audience.
One example that comes to mind is how advice on diet has changed over the years because advice was given (e.g. avoid dietary cholesterol) that was not well proven. Another was the introduction to a fascinating book I read a few years ago on the complexities of evolution (e.g. genetic changes with multiple effects, gene transfer, etc.). In the introduction the authors explained that colleagues had pressured them not to publish because it differed from the simple model of evolution taught in schools so would encourage creationists.
Economists are often biased towards their own political opinions.
- jxjnskkzxxhx 1y ago> advice was given that was not well proven I don't know about the specific case you're talking about. However, the scientific method is that when new evidence comes in, experts update their beliefs. What do you think they should do instead?
- graemep 1y agoThe problem in one case was that they gave advice with insufficient evidence. That proves my point about failure to distinguish between well proven facts and best guess consensus opinions. In the other case they were arguing for deliberately impeding the sharing knowledge because the hoi polloi could not understand it. They wanted the public told what was good for them, not the truth.
- jxjnskkzxxhx 1y agoSo a scientist was dishonest and/or made a mistake. What's your point, that journalists aren't dishonest and dont make mistakes? I have no idea what you're arguing for. I can tell you what my point is: an expert will know more than a journalist. I have no idea how this can be controversial. If it wasn't the case, the journalist would be the expert and it would become true by definition.