In today’s world, misinformation travels faster than the truth.
Whether it’s anti-vaxxers, chemophobia, GMO fear, or anti-nuclear.
The internet has turned bad science into big business.
Here’s how anti-science communication works, and why it’s so effective 🧵: 1/10
Whether it’s anti-vaxxers, chemophobia, GMO fear, or anti-nuclear.
The internet has turned bad science into big business.
Here’s how anti-science communication works, and why it’s so effective 🧵: 1/10
1. Fear is More Viral Than Facts:
🚨 “GMOs cause cancer!”
🚨 “5G is frying your brain!”
🚨 “The government is hiding the cure for cancer!”
People don’t share boring but accurate statements like: “Overwhelming scientific evidence supports vaccine safety.” 2/10
🚨 “GMOs cause cancer!”
🚨 “5G is frying your brain!”
🚨 “The government is hiding the cure for cancer!”
People don’t share boring but accurate statements like: “Overwhelming scientific evidence supports vaccine safety.” 2/10
2. Why Do People Fall for Anti-Science?
❌ It feels empowering – They think they’ve uncovered “hidden truths” that experts “don’t want you to know.”
❌ People love “evidence” that supports what they already believe.
❌ Science is complex. Conspiracies are easy. 3/10
❌ It feels empowering – They think they’ve uncovered “hidden truths” that experts “don’t want you to know.”
❌ People love “evidence” that supports what they already believe.
❌ Science is complex. Conspiracies are easy. 3/10
3. Tactics of Anti-Science Communicators:
🔸 They cherry-pick data. Using one flawed study to discredit 100s of real ones.
🔸 They create fake experts. Self-proclaimed “doctors” with no credentials.
🔸 They weaponize uncertainty. “If science changes, it must be fake!” 4/10
🔸 They cherry-pick data. Using one flawed study to discredit 100s of real ones.
🔸 They create fake experts. Self-proclaimed “doctors” with no credentials.
🔸 They weaponize uncertainty. “If science changes, it must be fake!” 4/10
They share shocking, emotional headlines, even if they’re false.
A fake study with one scary anecdote spreads faster than a 500-page peer-reviewed report.
The goal? Confuse the public enough that they distrust real experts. 5/10
A fake study with one scary anecdote spreads faster than a 500-page peer-reviewed report.
The goal? Confuse the public enough that they distrust real experts. 5/10
5. The Damage Anti-Science Communication Causes:
🚨 Vaccine fear = preventable diseases making a comeback.
🚨 Anti-GMO laws = fewer tools to fight hunger and climate change.
🚨 Chemophobia = unnecessary bans on safe, effective technology. 6/10
🚨 Vaccine fear = preventable diseases making a comeback.
🚨 Anti-GMO laws = fewer tools to fight hunger and climate change.
🚨 Chemophobia = unnecessary bans on safe, effective technology. 6/10
6. How Do We Fight Anti-Science Communication?
✅ Make real science engaging – If misinformation is emotional, facts need to be compelling too.
✅ Teach critical thinking – If people question sources, they won’t fall for bad ones. 7/10
✅ Make real science engaging – If misinformation is emotional, facts need to be compelling too.
✅ Teach critical thinking – If people question sources, they won’t fall for bad ones. 7/10
✅ Hold misinformation accountable – When influencers spread lies, call them out.
✅ Trust experts—not influencers – Being loud doesn’t mean being right.
Science fights for truth.
Misinformation fights for attention. 8/10
✅ Trust experts—not influencers – Being loud doesn’t mean being right.
Science fights for truth.
Misinformation fights for attention. 8/10
The Takeaway?
Anti-science thrives because it’s simple, emotional, and viral.
Misinformation is a business - there’s profit in fear.
Fighting anti-science means making real science more accessible, engaging, and trusted. 9/10
Anti-science thrives because it’s simple, emotional, and viral.
Misinformation is a business - there’s profit in fear.
Fighting anti-science means making real science more accessible, engaging, and trusted. 9/10
Science isn’t perfect - but it’s the best tool we have to understand reality.
The real question is: Will we trust science or let misinformation win? 10/10
The real question is: Will we trust science or let misinformation win? 10/10
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