How corporate interests manufacture doubt to erode public confidence in scientific consensus
In short: Naomi Oreskes, a Harvard historian of science, examines the deliberate strategies used by industries to undermine trust in research. This talk reveals how tobacco and fossil fuel companies have historically weaponized uncertainty to protect their interests, offering a vital perspective on why scientific consensus is frequently challenged.
Naomi Oreskes, who holds professorships in both the history of science and earth and planetary sciences at Harvard University, investigates the mechanisms behind organized misinformation. Her research highlights how specific industries have successfully sold doubt to the public, effectively stalling action on critical issues like climate change.
Beyond her academic work, Oreskes serves on the boards of the National Center for Science Education and the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund. She has authored ten books, including works exploring the history of oceanography and the ideological roots of market fundamentalism. Her expertise provides a clear framework for understanding how manufactured skepticism functions in modern society.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Misinformation and distrust in science - with Naomi Oreskes
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