Of Masks and Blindfolds - Why "Following the Science" as Mantra is Dumb (Episode #88, 24 Feb. 2022)

In this episode, we will explore why "following the science" as a kind of mantra actually inhibits science.  While I mention the mask debate relating to COVID, I do not attempt to resolve that debate here (or even discuss it very much), but rather, we'll explore how the inane "follow the science" mantra actually inhibits science, and why "experts" should not be the final arbiter on public policy questions or even on all "scientific" questions. This was a fun one to prepare.  We'll discuss Thomas Kuhn's work, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Karl Popper, Nassim Taleb, Socrates, Plato, Woody Allen, Albert Einstein, and Iowa State researcher, Danny Shechtman, who won the Nobel Laureate in 2011.  Rather than "following the science", we should always embrace questioning the science, welcoming dissent, challenging the science, and listening to the rebels.  The "following the science" mantra has led to some extremely poor public policy decisions and clouded, uncritical thinking.   In the case of mask COVID policy, "following the science" to justify masks has in fact, become a blindfold.