Scientific Consensus vs. Dissent

Part four, and the last of the foundational episodes, in our series examining the concept of scientific consensus and contrasting it with the voices of dissenters who find value in minority scientific opinions, theories and conclusions. It will also ask the question: is there any way to bridge the gap? Darrell Becker will be co-hosting all episodes in this series. Discussion: In the second installment of this series, we explored strategies for more constructive and connected communication with others. Today we discuss strategies for better communication with ourselves. We discuss some of the meta-talk in this climate change "debate" Dimensions of the Habits of Mind Value: Choosing to employ a pattern of intellectual behaviors rather than other, less productive patterns. ...

Part three in our series examining the concept of scientific consensus and contrasting it with the voices of dissenters who find value in minority scientific opinions, theories and conclusions. It will also ask the question: is there any way to bridge the gap? Darrell Becker will be co-hosting all episodes in this series. Introduction: Some selections from The Ultimate History Lesson: A Weekend with John Taylor Gatto Discussion: Darrell and I discuss Disciplined Minds : A Critical Look at Salaried Professionals and the Soul-Battering System That Shapes Their Lives. See Brett's notes here. Background: "My thesis is that the criteria by which individuals are deemed qualified or unqualified to become professionals involve not just technical knowledge as is generally assumed, ...

This show continues a series that will examine the concept of scientific consensus and contrast it with voices of the dissenters who find value in minority scientific opinions, theories and conclusions. Today we ask the question: is there any way to bridge the gap? Darrell Becker will be co-hosting all episodes in this series. Monologue: -Brett discusses how little he knows about the vaccine debate for 30 minutes Discussion: What is the Political Debate Contract? And how does it relate to this flowchart?

This show begins a series that will examine the concept of scientific consensus and contrast it with voices of the dissenters who find value in minority scientific opinions, theories and conclusions. It will also ask the question: is there any way to bridge the gap? Darrell Becker will be co-hosting all episodes in this series. Introduction: -Clarification of goals and definitions -A healthy distrust of Academia -Understand how science can be politicized, both ways -Frustration with skeptics Discussion: -People are all coming to eventually form various conclusions based on personal and secondary/tertiary supportive evidence (including appeals to various authorities). Some folks seem to consider that there are verified opinions formed amongst a scientific majority (often erroneously called the "scientific consensus"). ...