Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Rachel Logan @rmslogan.bsky.social · 2d

It is sobering that we have to say this: "In science, there is almost always uncertainty. The responsible thing to do is communicate studies in a way that represents the fullness of their findings; and in public health to ensure that decisions are made in line with the consensus of experts."

Weaponizing uncertainty in science and in public health puts people in harm’s way

Those who cite scientific studies to support policies should take care to tell the whole story, especially when it’s complex.

www.nature.com

1

Rachel Logan @rmslogan.bsky.social · 2d

Good idea, but the voting public will still make up shit... because I also read "Scientist finds evidence of 'alien DNA' in humans" today. 😬

Add a ‘speculation box’ to research papers

Letter to the Editor

www.nature.com

Rachel Logan @rmslogan.bsky.social · 8d

Nearly 30 years old, Carl Sagan's The Demon-Haunted World is still amazing. And the audiobook read by Cary Elwes helps me fall asleep at night, helps me feel less alone and hopeless. 10/10. 😊

1 3

Rachel Logan @rmslogan.bsky.social · 10d

Always a good reminder that life is interconnected and complicated, reductionistic explanations should be used with caution, and there is wisdom in trusting experts. Thank you, Donald Nicholson, for your work. RIP.

For a clearer pdf version: www.iubmb-nicholson.org/chart.html

Donald Nicholson's Metabolic Pathways Chart

Rachel Logan @rmslogan.bsky.social · 22d

Thank you. Combating this type of poor reporting is a big task. Every little bit helps. ❤️

1

Rachel Logan @rmslogan.bsky.social · 23d

I've been thinking for a while that humans have expanded beyond the scale of the individual and need to start thinking about emergence when dealing with social issues. Today, I'm reading this paper...

Cultural inheritance is driving a transition in human evolution

Abstract. Previous research on a transition in human evolution has been befuddled by the complexity of adaptive culture and made little effort toward empir

academic.oup.com

2 2

Rachel Logan @rmslogan.bsky.social · 28d

We're fucked either way. The shot made the ideology the martyr.

7

Reposted by Rachel Logan

Diana Fulmer @dianafulmer.bsky.social · Aug 31

Always look at the data yourself. But also know the limits of your ability to interpret it. 🧪

Experts are experts because they spend their lives learning everything about one tiny thing. They can put that thing into context. They know the literature about it. They can debate its nuances. 1/3

Republicans Against Trumpism @rpsagainsttrump.bsky.social · Aug 29

RFK Jr: We need to stop trusting the experts... Trusting the experts is not a feature of science or democracy, it's a feature of religion and totalitarianism.

9 16 49

Rachel Logan @rmslogan.bsky.social · Aug 28

God, I sure hope so! I've been advocating for better storytelling for a while, and now my hopelessness is taking over because the breadth of misinformation seems unvanquishable. I support the less jaded doing whatever it takes as long as we don't lose trustworthy science in the mix.

1

Rachel Logan @rmslogan.bsky.social · Aug 28

I have mixed feelings on this, not because I disagree that #SciComm needs more storytelling, but because I worry about what we lose when we resort to only matching a flawed epistemology. Long-term direction is sacrificed to short-term wins. I know we're in a crisis, but the future matters too. 🤷‍♀️🫤

Chris J Fisher @c-j-fisher.bsky.social · Aug 28

The recent interview of Holden Thorp, @science.org EOC, on #SciComm by Patrick Boyle in AAMCNews is an absolute banger!

Now more than ever, it’s critical for scientists, organizations, and companies to deliver scientific messages that stick.

www.aamc.org/news/restore...

(1/9) 🧪

To restore trust in science, scientists should focus on storytelling

Holden Thorp, PhD, top editor at Science, discusses the essential role of front-line doctors, the power of well-told stories, and the value of admitting error.

www.aamc.org

3 2

Rachel Logan @rmslogan.bsky.social · Aug 27

It's hard to keep going sometimes, this post and subsequent article helped. ❤️

Silvia Pineda-Munoz, PhD - Climate Ages @climateages.bsky.social · Aug 27

In a world where misinformation spreads fast, science needs consistency more than virality.

One clear post at a time can build trust, cut through the noise, and make your work matter.

That’s the Slight Edge of science communication.

Start small. Keep showing up.

🧪 #SciComm

1 2

Rachel Logan @rmslogan.bsky.social · Aug 26

It's critical that people understand what science is and does, and that change and updating are part of the process, but an article like this w/o a proper explanation of those ideas isn't helpful during this anti-science crisis. Given the current state of affairs, it may even be unethical, imo.