Thu Jan 20 13:35:48 EST 2022

Science Matters

Some recent items related to science matters.

  • Social Media Bans of Scientific Misinformation Aren't Helpful, Researchers Say

    There are more effective ways to fight scientific misinformation than banning and removing content, according to the report.

    Instead of removal, the Royal Society researchers advocate developing what they call "collective resilience." Pushing back on scientific disinformation may be more effective via other tactics, such as demonetization, systems to prevent amplification of such content, and fact-checking labels. The report encourages the UK government to continue fighting back against scientific misinformation but to emphasize society-wide harms that may arise from issues like climate change rather than the potential risk to individuals for taking the bait. Other strategies the Royal Society suggests are continuing the development of independent, well-financed fact-checking organizations; fighting misinformation "beyond high-risk, high-reach social media platforms"; and promoting transparency and collaboration between platforms and scientists. Finally, the report mentions that regulating recommendation algorithms may be effective.

  • The Attack of Zombie Science

    They look like scientific papers. But they're distorting and killing science.

    As scientists and science communicators, we see the harm that a system preoccupied with productivity and quantity of publications is doing to science and to the way science is perceived by the public. Such a system tends to reward zombie science, and research groups are going into it as a response to a perceived need for self-preservation. Zombie science, whether well intentioned or an attempt to game the system, consumes funding and bestows an aura of scientific credibility on results that are not answering real scientific questions.

  • Sorry Antivaxxer

    Profiles of anti-vaxxers, many who have gotten sick and/or died.

    The purpose of this site is educational, except for a few exceptions, everyone listed on this site was/is an anti-vaxxer activist who helpe spread COVID-19 misinformation on social media. Share to stop others from making the same mistake. GET VACCINATED!

  • The Institute for Replication (I4R)

    Improve the credibility of science by systematically reproducing and replicating research findings in leading academic journals.


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