The Covid Jab Jive: a gentle reminder

[Lionfish]

 

[Daylight63]

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You wouldn’t be able to tell if a doctor is lying since you don’t know medicine

 

[Taichiliberal]

This is the blessing and the curse of the internet.

A LOT of great information for the educated diluted with a FUCKTON more disinformation leads to people whose only qualification for interpreting the science is the ability to hit keys on a keyboard.

As a scientist it is hard to see people bluster so loudly on topics that CLEARLY they don't understand. The real danger are those people who are NOT scientifically literate thinking the moron who does his own research is ONTO SOMETHING. ANd they don't have the tools to be able to tell shit from shinola.

Ahh but let us remember that critical thinking/analysis coupled with honest, objective research can and does make the lay person knowledgeable enough to make definitive statements and decisions. This is the problem, as the internet is indeed a blessing and a curse in disseminating information. And let's face it, not all of us have a good dose of "common sense" or are free of intellectual bias .... and that INCLUDES scientist. Just saying.

 

[Daylight63]

Ahh but let us remember that critical thinking/analysis coupled with honest, objective research can and does make the lay person knowledgeable enough to make definitive statements and decisions.

TO AN EXTENT. Yes, people can become informed through their "own research". But it only goes so far. When people start finding out that their research has led them to somehow disagree with the vast majority of the earth's professional experts on a topic, then they should think twice about passing it on or even accepting it for themselves.

This is the problem, as the internet is indeed a blessing and a curse in disseminating information. And let's face it, not all of us have a good dose of "common sense" or are free of intellectual bias .... and that INCLUDES scientist. Just saying.

Scientists are going to be more capable of parsing a few important things that the layperson doesn't. We have spent years working with legitimate information resources in the peer reviewed literature. We are trained that if you are looking for shinola, don't go digging around in the toilet.

Also scientists are trained to understand how data is processed and what it means when scientists talk about that data. Scientists understand the provisional nature of a lot of knowledge. They understand the subtlety far better than those without training in the area.

I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes from a patent law case in which the question was put before the court whether interpreting patent claims could be done by a JURY (regular folks) or a trained legal professional.

"The construction of written instruments is one of those things that judges often do and are likely to do better than jurors unburdened by training in exegesis."

"Unburdened by training in exegesis". That's what most people are when trying to do on-line scientific research.

 

[ZenMode]

I was 65 during the COVID pandemic and have all the COVID vaxxes along with all other recommended vaccinations.

I recommend all stupid people to avoid all vaccinations. The world needs smarter people.

 

[Litmus]

I'm getting my seventh one this month, along with my flu shot.

The first six didn't hurt,
I've never had Covid,
and even if the seventh one does me in,
I've been around for nearly eight decades already.

I'm beyond the third act and into the epilogue anyway.

I trust medical science more than conspiracy theories,
because the fact that I'm still around,
longer than either of my parents were,
is all the evidence I need to justify that trust.

I haven't exactly lived my life as though I was trying to last this long.
I've done it all through the magic of chemistry.

so boomer.