Guest essay by Eric Worrall
Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, has just suggested Americans don’t believe science.
Anthony Fauci: Americans ‘Don’t Believe Science and They Don’t Believe Authority’
JOSHUA CAPLAN 18 Jun 2020
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, served up harsh criticism of Americans on Thursday, asserting that the country suffers from what he described as an “anti-science bias” problem.
“One of the problems we face in the United States is that unfortunately, there is a combination of an anti-science bias that people are — for reasons that sometimes are, you know, inconceivable and not understandable — they just don’t believe science and they don’t believe authority,” Fauci told the Learning Curve podcast, which is produced by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
“So when they see someone up in the White House, which has an air of authority to it, who’s talking about science, that there are some people who just don’t believe that — and that’s unfortunate because, you know, science is truth,” Fauci continued, referring to the White House coronavirus task force’s once-daily briefings.
“It’s amazing sometimes the denial there is, it’s the same thing that gets people who are anti-vaxxers, who don’t want people to get vaccinated, even though the data clearly indicate the safety of vaccines,” he added. “That’s really a problem.”
…
Read more: https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/06/18/anthony-fauci-americans-dont-believe-science-and-they-dont-believe-authority/
The words were spoken in an episode of “Learning Curve”, hosted by the US Department of Health and Human Services. The “don’t believe science” comments are made around the 15 minute mark.
The following is a short excerpt from the full interview of Dr. Fauci speaking the quoted words:
Fauci also said people should believe him and trust him, because of his long track record of always speaking the truth, through six administrations.
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Fauci thinks science is Bayesian statistics
M.I.T. Professor Richard Lindzen: belief within climate science that CO2 essentially controls global temperature is recent, wierd and probably wrong:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1140/epjp/s13360-020-00471-z
If he had the truth of science(tm), then why did he lie about masks?
I think he should have stopped at anti-vaxers and not swung the door wide open.
“Americans ‘Don’t Believe Science” >> personal attack
“and They Don’t Believe Authority’” >> appeal to authority
Got any real arguments to present, Mr Fauci?
This dinosaur should’ve been put out to pasture years ago. He has been at NIH for *Fifty Years*. Now here is the weird thing about Fauci: despite his ugly mug on TV every day, he is *not* the Director of the National Institutes of Health. That would be his boss Francis Collins, another NIH dinosaur, who has been a no-show for the past six months, but no one seems to notice. What’s up with that?
Here is another weird thing about Fauci: he receives royalties on various patents assigned to him and NIH. He claims that “government regulations” (written by his agency?) force him to have his name on those patents, but that he donates the money to “charities”.
…Francis Collins…has been a no-show for the past six months…What’s up with that?
Collins is smarter than the average bear. : >)
Technocrats and bureaucrats using “science” to bludgeon democracy.
To paraphrase Ronald Reagan:
“I’m a government scientist. I’m here to tell you the truth”.
Does that inspire confidence?
Americans don’t believe science? Good!! Science is about doubt, religion is about faith. Remember the Royal Society’s motto, Nullius in Verba or take no ones word for it.
The CDC should be more concerned with its screw ups. There are good reasons people have doubts
Well there we go, the pseudo scientist just showed that he doesn’t understand the scientific progress and might explain why he has made some wacky and laughable statements, i.e. stopping travel between the virus outbreak origin area and the USA would make it worse. He needs to be replaced.
“And certainly he made it so” (Winston Churchill)
The statement:
“American people… don’t believe science and they don’t believe authority,”
is not compatible with science, rather it’s compatible with political science.
Vaccines are not magical elixirs without side-affects and with perfect performance. They are part of a risk management protocol with limited, specific purpose. Be honest with people. That said, Americans don’t maintain faith nor prostrate themselves before mortal gods and goddesses. Lose your Pro-Choice religion. Science is a philosophy and practice, of not plausible (a weak constraint), but of observation and utility in a limited frame of reference.
n.n: Yes, vaccines performance varies for many reasons, and ranges from as good as a placebo so 50% better than doing nothing, if you consider that the side effects don’t matter… and the side effects matter!
Meanwhile I have heard that using HCQ and Zn CORRECTLY, has a 90% chance of helping the WuFlu not kill people.
So I do not understand the perverse arguments by the LEFT against something that could be the most effective treatment for dangerous RNA viruses the world has ever seen.
an unsupported “opinion” from a “scientist” is not science … most of what Dr. Faucci spouts is unsupported opinion … that’s what we don’t believe …
There was never any “science” (i.e. real world studies or experiments) around :
1) Lockdowns
2) positive effects of masks
3) closing of schools
4) asymptomatic transmission
5) the models
I agree, Fauci has laughably covered all of his bases, by being pro and con regarding all of his assertions. He used a lot of words, most of which cancel themselves… no pun intended [*cancel culture]
In Fauci’s defense I can guarantee you that 90% of the population doesn’t understand science and has no innate ability to interpret scientific results. They don’t understand the different philosophies of science, they don’t understand the methodology and tools used in science, and therefore they really have no basis for coming to independent conclusions.
I.e. “don’t question the ‘experts’ ” Down that road leads tyanny.
Ari,
” 90% of the population doesn’t understand science and has no innate ability to interpret scientific results. ”
” therefore they really have no basis for coming to independent conclusions.”
How did you arrive at that statistic? Supposedly, half of the population has an IQ at or above 100. How high does the IQ have to be to be able to arrive at their own independent conclusions?
I think the American population is smarter than most people claim… So that 90% number is not well defined whatsoever. That is because much of what is labeled as science is not science at all, it’s political interpretations.
When someone says, 97% of scientists agree… it’s highly likely that person making the statement does not know what the scientists they speak of agree with. Nor do they know how that number was derived.
I think some people who may not be science literate can still smell a rat, and have strong judgement.
I can guarantee you that 90% of the population doesn’t understand science and has no innate ability to interpret scientific results.”
A herder at the end of the stone age had a innate ability to understand science, he did not understand the word science but he practiced a branch of science called mathematics, he also understood commerce which is also a branch of science, even though mathematics, commerce are not terms he would of understood. He practiced his science through trade and mathematics,
People do not need to understand the intricacies of climate science to know there being conned, a hysterical media pushing a more and more ridiculous agenda , a hysterical sales pitch is a sign of desperation, a basic knowledge of the past tells people the climate is not going in a one direction it is cyclical, not linear, even though they may not use the terms cyclical, linear or even understand the terms.
People know when the term “science is settled “is used that is wrong they know this because through thier life times the science changes ,EG nutrion, medicine, space exploration, ect ect.
Every one has a right to independent thought and conclusions no one needs a basis for permission to Express thier views ,be they right or wrong in the eyes and ears of the receiver. I see no reasoned debate from the climate agenda people ,they refuse to engage in any public debate from a opposing view,that’s why we have terms “the science is settled” a refusal to debate be it in the media or a climate conference ,that is called running scared, being dictated too, by increasingly scaremongering hysterical media.
Most people recognise what’s going on they know something is not adding up,they may not be able to Express themselves like members of WUWT ,they may not have time to research thier innate feelings, which is why the media try to stifle debate,which is why more and more proxy data and current data is disappearing ,erasing the record!
Anthony Fauci should watch a few Richard Feynman presentations on science – and than go look in a mirror.
Richard said: “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool.
John: Dr. Fauci, aka – The Great Tergiversator, has outed himself, he is not a scientist, but a politician.
Humans are cursed with overwhelming confirmation bias. Very few folks can recognize it in themselves and a tiny fraction can overcome it. It is up to others to poke holes in your theory/argument.
In many cases, I have been told the following: “Well there are two versions of the truth”, and very recently, a purist said there are “three sides of the truth”… that was after the liberal read the house intel’ transcripts and learned that under oath, that there was no evidence, but that on TV they said otherwise.
So, how do you deal with that nonsense? Seriously tell me!
There is only one truth. Humans lie, twist, obfuscate, distort, misdirect, and outright flee from the truth. With sufficiently harsh interrogation you will get the truth. It is all in your method.
Yes, there are no versions of the truth… well said in Lost World… Jurassic Park. I could not believe how unwilling the person was to just see reality. It was very painful for him and as such he sent me rapid fire links to opinion pieces from WaPo, NY Times and CNN that disagreed with me.
Some times people have to be forced to accept reality. That ain’t pretty, it is necessary.
OK: 2hotel9: I agree. Your next job is to get Simon to admit as much. Well, not to change his opinion, but to get him to agree on what is known to be true. An impossible challenge.
Getting ones eyes opened can be a painful operation.
When they have been in “command” positions inside government it certainly is.
Anyone who doesn’t agree with whatever I happened to say last is anti science! Sounds familiar.
I wonder if Fauci believes the “97%” of scientists on climate change ?
I suspect he does.
– JPP
It depends on how “climate change” is defined.
The real question is does he believe in post-normal science? Does Fauci believe a claimed 97% consensus equates to proof?
Well, Faucci is right about scientific ignore being ingrained in Americans – – That includes those who believe in “science” and the “deniers,”* too.
And Fauci is very wrong on equating “respect for authority”** being part of science.
*Apologies for using that word.
**Real meaning is “Respect for leftist authoritarians.”
It’s because science is frequently wrong. Dead wrong frequently in the case of biomedical science.
The science said stomach ulcers were caused by stress and too much acid production…until the science said something completely different.
Science said cervical cancer in women was simply random mutations on a genetic background… until science said something different.
Science said COX-2 inhibitors were safe in the general public, until they weren’t and were removed from the market (except for 1 which carries strong warnings for Drs and patients in prescibing it).
And don’t dig into 60 years of dietary science unless you want to see some very spectacular “science dumpster fires.”
I thought “question authority” was a good thing, whether that authority be political or scientific. Perhaps the “authorities” running the lockdown don’t like uncomfortable questions. To paraphrase Shakespeare, “The doctor doth protest too much, methinks.”
Progressives believe in questioning authority, only up to the point where they become the auntorities.
“Science” is the systematic search for the truth. I believe in science, I don’t believe in Dr. Anthony Fauci.
“when people thought the earth was flat, they were wrong. When people thought the earth was spherical, they were wrong. But if you think that thinking the earth is spherical is just as wrong as thinking the earth is flat, then your view is wronger than both of them put together.”
from Isaac Asimov “The relativity of wrong”
What he wrote actually makes no sense. Think about it.
I am hopeful that he is right, that people don’t “believe” science or authority. Science is not a religion and authority is no guarantee of truth. To be misled by belief or authority is a road to disaster. Science is simply a process of investigation and discovery designed to bring us closer to an understanding of truth. Today “science” is used as a label like “green”, “sustainable”, “social justice”, “organic” and many others that is meant to imply some vague virtue but which is a guarantee of nothing. And today authority is an excuse to tell people how to live without having to provide any rational justification.
Climate scientists ‘failed’ when they promulgated the position that: ‘ the science was settled’. From that day forward they have become less and less credible. They did this to themselves.
It is very simple. It is not about ‘science’. It is about the money. That is evil and stupid.
It is fact that Fauci’s “science” is filtered. The US covid deaths simulation assumed a Vitamin D deficient US population which is pathetic.
‘Authorities’ could have reduce the US covid death rate by more than a factor of 10 by correcting the US population’s Vitamin D deficiency.
The problem is the correcting the US population’s Vitamin D deficiency option, would also have permanently reduced the US health care costs by more than 50%.
82% of the US black population, 69% of the US Hispanic population, and 42% of the US general population are Vitamin D deficient.
And it has been shown (hard simple evidence, blood samples and a simple test to determine serum 25(OH)D3) that regardless of sex or age Vitamin D deficient people are 19 times more likely to die from covid and/or to have serious covid symptoms.
https://tahomaclinic.com/Private/Articles4/WellMan/Forrest%202011%20-%20Prevalence%20and%20correlates%20of%20vitamin%20D%20deficiency%20in%20US%20adults.pdf
Prevalence and correlates of vitamin D deficiency in US adults
Patterns of COVID-19 Mortality and Vitamin D: An Indonesian Study
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3585561
Vitamin D Insufficient Patients 12.55 times more likely to die
Vitamin D Deficient Patients 19.12 times more likely to die
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-52492662
Coronavirus: Black African deaths three times higher than white Britons – study
Severe Vitamin D deficient is below 20 ng/ml. Supplements of 4000 UI/day would raise most people to above 40 ng/ml which is the level that has been shown to shrink prostate cancer tumors and stop inflammation which how the prostate cancer forms blood vessels and reduce breast cancer incidence by more than 70%. It has also been shown to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes by more than 50%, reduce the incidence of multiple sclerosis by more 60%, significant reduction in depression, and so on. All good stuff which makes sense as Vitamin D is a proto hormone. It turns genes on and off to make things happen in our body.
Great post! I just ran a blood serum test. My 25(OH)D was 62 ng/ml. Interestingly, my vit K was off the chart at >2,500. But my blood is not clotty, I take 2.5gms of fish oil every morning. Not sure where I am getting all that vit K from. I do take two types of juiced powders also in my morning cocktail.
You did not get to 60 ng/ml taking 2 grams of fish oil.
Fish oil only has about 1000 IU of Vitamin D per tablespoon and a tablespoon has about 14 grams in it.
A person in the forum is taking Vitamin D supplements of 4000 UI/day and his 25(OH)D3 serum level (tested after supplements) was only 40 ng/ml. (He must be a big man.)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4333533/
Based on the results of international studies, the concentration of Vitamin D3 and its derivatives in fish liver oil falls within the range of 40-200 IU/ml.[11]
Moreover, in “Krause’s Food and the Nutrition Care Process,” one of the most used textbook by nutritionist, the concentration of Vitamin D3 in fish liver oil is reported as 1060 IU per tablespoon that is equal to 70.6 IU/ml.
You’re right I was being hasty and went to the vit K think.
I take 3 times a day 2000IU, and have a convertible and get sun without using sun screen when I can. I live in NCal.
I like seeing your posts and you may recall I have commented on yours several times on the HCQ and ionophore properties of EGCA and quercetin, which I also take.
William Astley: PS: I am pretty happy with this level of D in my blood. I have not measure in several years, but have been dosing with D for years, and about 6 months ago, upped from 2000 to 5000IU I bumped to 6000IU as well as other Ca Mg Zn with addition 400IU 3 X day. The Zn added 12mg a day with that, but I had not considered the prostate formula I take 3 x a day which has 15mg in each so an additional 45mg, which I feel is too much, so I am down to 2 x day for 30mg and 1 to 2 of the Ca Mg Zn.
My blood pH was 7.5, which I attribute to taking two juiced veggie / fruit powders and additional CA/Mg.
Your thoughts?
if your juiced powders are green?
thats your source
Yep. I did not know there was SOOO much K in greens. Guess I am getting plenty. Anyway I do not have a blood clotting issue, esp with the fish oil. So I could not find an upper limit where there are problems with K in the blood.
Don’t forget that there are two flavors of K — K1 and K2. K1 is for clotting, K2 interacts with calcium and D to help ensure it is utilized properly (bones/teeth) and not deposited on arterial walls. All the stuff you might have read about be sure to get enough K if you are taking a lot of D is talking about K2, not K1.
The K test I paid for did not differentiate as to which K, 1 or 2. Just that I had a lot more than the max range. 0-1,500. My number was >2,500.
Great Post. What about Vitamin C? Any good info? An anecdotal says you can contain a COVID-19 infection with about 6 grams (6,000 mg) if you know when to take it (assuming no other complications such as a severe Vitamin D shortage). [Hint: COVID-19 induces an excessive inflammatory response. Vitamin C relieves inflammation. Your body absorbs and uses Vitamin C immediately and excretes any excess. China seems to have figured this out now. (Fauci-scientists won’t talk about Vitamins.)]
Same result for the second strain of COVID-19 that almost no one is talking about. Yes, you can get COVID-19 twice, but its a different strain with some different symptoms. I’ve often wondered if the “second” strain is mitigated by antibodies from the more common (more virulent) strain that most people get first, and that if you are unlucky enough to get the “second” strain first without the antibiotic mitigation from the first strain, it may kill you or at least put you on a ventilator.