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How Scientists Build Consensus: Crash Course Scientific Thinking #5 episode artwork

Oct 30, 2026 15 min

How Scientists Build Consensus: Crash Course Scientific Thinking #5

from CrashCourse Hosted by CrashCourse

Why is there consensus around atoms existing, but not around if chocolate is good for you? In this episode of Crash Course Scientific Thinking, we’ll explore why there are still things we don’t know about topics we know a lot about, and why scientific consensus is the closest thing to “the truth.” Introduction: Scientific Uncertainty 00:00Scientific Consensus 0:33Atomic Theory 1:28Nutrition Science 4:21Changing Consensus 6:48Scientific Consensus in our Everyday Lives 7:26Review & Credits 9:14Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Kv2_mFsDxQURuFDxpflD45dy-pCxlqnM9iPSNYxigmQ/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.vk5i2fgqyumq***Support us for $5/month on Patreon to keep Crash Course free for everyone forever! https://www.patreon.com/crashcourseOr support us directly: https://complexly.com/supportJoin our Crash Course email list to get the latest news and highlights: https://mailchi.mp/crashcourse/emailGet our special Crash Course Educators newsletter: http://eepurl.com/iBgMhYThanks to the following patrons for their generous monthly contributions that help keep Crash Course free for everyone forever:NassauLinda, Chuck Smith, DexcilaDou, Martin G. Diller, Johnathan Williams, Allison Wood, Katrix , Jason Terpstra, Evan Nelson, Jennifer Wiggins-Lyndall, SpaceRangerWes, Dalton Williams, Chelsea S, Matthew Fredericksen, AThirstyPhilosopher ., Michael Maher, Mitch Gresko, Gina Mancuso, Roger Harms, Shruti S, Quinn Harden, Reed Spilmann, Brandon Thomas, Emily Beazley, Rie Ohta, oranjeez, UwU, Elizabeth LaBelle, Leah H., David Fanska, Andrew Woods, Kevin Knupp, Barbara Pettersen, Ken Davidian, Stephen Akuffo, Toni Miles, Steve Segreto, Kyle & Katherine Callahan, Laurel Stevens, Tanner Hedrick, Kristina D Knight, Samantha, Krystle Young, Scott Harrison, Alan Bridgeman, Breanna Bosso, Matt Curls, Liz Wdow, Jennifer Killen, Duncan W Moore IV, Sarah & Nathan Catchings, team dorsey, Bernardo Garza, Trevin Beattie, Pietro Gagliardi, John Lee, Eric Koslow, Indija-ka Siriwardena, Jason Rostoker, Siobhán, Ken Penttinen, Nathan Taylor, Barrett, Les Aker, ClareG, Rizwan Kassim, Constance Urist, Alex Hackman, Triad Terrace, Katie Dean, Jason Buster, Emily T, Stephen McCandless, Thomas, Joseph Ruf, Wai Jack Sin, Ian Dundore, Erminio Di Lodovico, Evol Hong, Tandy Ratliff, Caleb Weeks, Luke Sluder__Want to find Crash Course elsewhere on the internet?Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thecrashcourse/Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/YouTubeCrashCourseBluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/thecrashcourse.bsky.socialCC Kids: http://www.youtube.com/crashcoursekids

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This episode was published on October 30, 2026.

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