This started as a comment over on Stephan's blog, but started getting a bit long. So I hope Stephan won't mind too much if I move it over here. Plus it contains thoughts about various and sundry names in the LC webosphere with whom I've had brief exchanges. Those exchanged have had these thoughts brewing for quite some time, but in the end it seems to go back to the ultimate arrogant anti-scientist supreme: One Mr. Gary Taubes.
When I first read Taubes, I got the impression that he had little understanding of how science really works. That first impression has been confirmed many times over in the intervening years. I have always wondered over why medical schools and such would bring in a science journalist to lecture medical students on such a topic. If one doesn't have a PhD in the exact field these days it is difficult to teach at the college level at all for example. Gary has a bachelors in physics, with no apparent experience as a "scientist". Apparently he practically lived in a lab for a while, and I guess this is where he believes he amassed the knowledge to view researchers critically and offer up his sage advice on how they ought to be doing their jobs. Given his influence in certain circles, I think he's responsible for the wave of scientist bashing replete with a warped understanding of what science actually is and how it's done.
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