02-05-2016, 05:16 AM
Seems to be much easier to choose a side and simply reject any new ideas that may contradict or threaten your position - beliefs with "herd immunity" protection.
Yes, there's plenty of that to go around, on both sides of the issue.
But what is the alternative?
Read what people write. Carefully. Follow up by checking facts, and finding out what their conclusions are based on.
Certainly tests may be conducted improperly. Double blind experiments can show false positives, or false negatives. Researchers can exaggerate the results they wish to prove, and minimize other findings. Scientific findings can also be overturned in a decade or two when new information becomes available. Do we throw it all out because occasionally some is wrong?
Does the anti-vaxx movement use any tests they can point to, which show vaccines are dangerous, with methods (double blind studies, etc) similar to tests that show vaccines are relatively safe?* If not, on what do they base their findings? Are those methods enough for a person to make a well informed decision?
*Look at a jar of any medicine, even aspirin or alcohol (antiseptic and pain relief). How long is the list of side effects? What medication could be sold if it had to be 100% safe and 100% free of side effects?
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." -Annie Dillard
Yes, there's plenty of that to go around, on both sides of the issue.
But what is the alternative?
Read what people write. Carefully. Follow up by checking facts, and finding out what their conclusions are based on.
Certainly tests may be conducted improperly. Double blind experiments can show false positives, or false negatives. Researchers can exaggerate the results they wish to prove, and minimize other findings. Scientific findings can also be overturned in a decade or two when new information becomes available. Do we throw it all out because occasionally some is wrong?
Does the anti-vaxx movement use any tests they can point to, which show vaccines are dangerous, with methods (double blind studies, etc) similar to tests that show vaccines are relatively safe?* If not, on what do they base their findings? Are those methods enough for a person to make a well informed decision?
*Look at a jar of any medicine, even aspirin or alcohol (antiseptic and pain relief). How long is the list of side effects? What medication could be sold if it had to be 100% safe and 100% free of side effects?
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." -Annie Dillard
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves