zlacker

>>Flatci+(OP)
So they all signed a letter stating they were political actors and jokes of scientists and now have second thoughts. Too bad.

>>mesozo+FP
This is exactly how science is supposed to work. People learn some new things and they update their opinions based on that new data. That's a good thing.

The idea that people aren't allowed 'second thoughts' is probably the worst thing to happen to general discourse.

>>someth+6s1
What new things were learned here?

>>peytn+Ct1
Only they can answer that. The general point is that people should be able to change their mind; and the argument that 'you used to believe something different therefore you must be wrong/acting in bad faith' is nonsense.

It's still possible that they are wrong/bad actors; but that can't be determined based simply on a single change of opinion.

>>someth+vw1
Categorically dismissing an opposing view as false, and then reversing course, is not necessarily acting in bad faith, but I think any reasonable observer would question their trustworthiness.

The fact that people still believe "scientists" after all those flip-flops is astounding. It's like those "scientists" believe their reputation (individual and as a group) is invincible and they can get away with making unsubstantiated claims without being called out -- and surprisingly that's exactly what happens, mostly.

I'm not "anti-science" by any means and I don't believe in "conspiracy theories" but I can see why people are starting to view the scientific establishment with suspicion.