Distrusting the source

Sadly, some may never be able to benefit from the best available science and health information because they can’t bring themselves to move past the belief that the source of information is what matters.

As discussed earlier this week, the source is irrelevant; the publication is irrelevant; its popularity is irrelevant; what matters is the soundness of the science. But in order to move past those beliefs, which are really fears, requires us to take the time and learn to think critically. That’s the scientific process.

In the same regard, some will dismiss out of hand any information that comes from anyone who isn’t working for free or that is published in a source they distrust. They, too, will never be able to benefit from information that could most help them. I don’t know many people who can live on air and don’t need to make a living. It is inevitable that scientific work needs funding and writers need to be published, before anyone can benefit. The sad thing is that those doing some of the strongest, most needed work have the most difficulty staying afloat. As one scientist and writer told me:

Honest and accurate analysis starves while hype and easily debunked PC dogma are awash in funding from ideologically driven foundations and patrons....The old adage ‘Fear Sells’ has never been more sadly true.

As such, readers of this blog have probably begun to realize just how challenging it is for scientists to break through the marketing and vested interests to give people good information. Hopefully, those realizations can help people recognize that many of the things they hear most often is not necessarily because it’s good information but because its marketing may be better funded.

We might think there are sponsors who support unvested endeavors simply for altruistic reasons. Simply because people could be helped by knowing the truth, not just hear the scares. But, as independent scientists and writers have found, such beliefs are not in evidence.

If you are such a sponsor, please consider supporting the work at Junkfood Science.