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Just looking at these first few comments, it seems like there are a lot of smart people who can see that this trite sound bite has problems. Don't miss the for

Just looking at these first few comments, it seems like there are a lot of smart people who can see that this trite sound bite has problems. Don't miss the forest for the trees. Widespread scientific illiteracy has many people feeling that decades of scientific research resulting in consensus establishes only an opinion that is just as valid as the opinion of any uninformed person who cares to speak up in dissent. Yes, his statement is over-reaching and generalized, but the message is still meaningful. Here's an article that gives some more detail about this phenomenon: http://thefederalist.com/2014/01/17/the-death-of-expertise/ http://thefederalist.com/2014/01/17/the-death-of-expertise/

eloff 12y ago
The argument the author makes that all truths are equal and therefore science is no "truer" that anything else is a straw-man. It's valid from the definition of the word, but misses the point. Science is "truer" than other things, because in reality we don't know the truth. Science "truths" are more likely to be true than many other things because they have stronger supporting evidence. For example gravity is better supported by the evidence than the existence and deeds of an historical figure.
- dublinben 12y ago
  Scientific truths are also "truer" than other truths because of their predictive value. If you understand gravity, you can assume that the sun will rise tomorrow morning. Even if you fail to make the required sacrifice to the sun god, the sun will still rise tomorrow.
thenmar 12y ago
If you'd like to confirm this, spend five minutes reading the comments section on any mainstream-media article about climate change.
dfxm12 12y ago
>Yes, his statement is over-reaching and generalized, but the message is still meaningful. Yes, this is true, and it is tough to be subtle and nuanced on twitter. If I remember correctly, this tweet came out the week an episode of Cosmos explored the Scientific Method. Remember, Tyson is only talking about science. He's not necessarily taking a shot at history or art or economics... When we live in an age when parents are failing to vaccinate their kids because an actress who hasn't even been popular in a few decades tells them not to, someone really needs to push the Overton window in the other direction a bit.

eloff 12y ago

The argument the author makes that all truths are equal and therefore science is no "truer" that anything else is a straw-man. It's valid from the definition of the word, but misses the point. Science is "truer" than other things, because in reality we don't know the truth. Science "truths" are more likely to be true than many other things because they have stronger supporting evidence. For example gravity is better supported by the evidence than the existence and deeds of an historical figure.

dublinben 12y ago
Scientific truths are also "truer" than other truths because of their predictive value. If you understand gravity, you can assume that the sun will rise tomorrow morning. Even if you fail to make the required sacrifice to the sun god, the sun will still rise tomorrow.

thenmar 12y ago

If you'd like to confirm this, spend five minutes reading the comments section on any mainstream-media article about climate change.

dfxm12 12y ago

>Yes, his statement is over-reaching and generalized, but the message is still meaningful. Yes, this is true, and it is tough to be subtle and nuanced on twitter. If I remember correctly, this tweet came out the week an episode of Cosmos explored the Scientific Method. Remember, Tyson is only talking about science. He's not necessarily taking a shot at history or art or economics... When we live in an age when parents are failing to vaccinate their kids because an actress who hasn't even been popular in a few decades tells them not to, someone really needs to push the Overton window in the other direction a bit.