“Follow the Science”—But Who’s Driving It?

The Truman Show (1998), is a movie in which Jim Carey’s character, Truman Burbank, lives in a reality in which his sleeping, awakening, going to work, coming home, and sleeping again are all contrived and controlled within the confines of a TV studio.  All truth and reality beyond the backdrop of the studio were unknown to Truman, that is until he became curious and began to resist those who were defining his truth.  He was able to free himself to do a bit if investigation on his own.

What if you or I were to grow up in a world in which someone in an institution such as government, education, the church, or our economic supply chain were limiting our access to truth and reality?  I’m glad you asked.

On September 17, Tucker Carlson (The Tucker Carlson Show, Fox News) asked a related question to Dr. Scott W. Atlas, Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution who also is a member of the presidents Coronavirus Task Team.  The question was:

What does it do to the practice of science when
certain areas of inquiry are off limits or censored? 

The dialog that followed addressed the increasing tendency of media platforms like Twitter and YouTube to censor reports and commentary that are contrary to accepted dogma concerning the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here is Dr. Atlas’s complete response (See VIDEO interview).  It is very troubling to those of us who recognize that science will not function for the good of mankind when data and interpretations are not freely exposed to critical analysis and additional verification by other scientists and a learned public eye.  Dr. Atlas reminds us that, “When you start censoring science, you are removing the way we decide what is truth and what’s not.” 

Dr. Atlas adds, “We are sort of teetering on the edge of what is done in third world countries.”  When you say ‘It’s about the science, you’d better know the science, you’d better understand the science, and say things that are consistent with the science.”   The good news is that the public censorship of professional scientific opinion is having a backlash from both scientists and by the public.  When we question the system, we can still hold people in power accountable.

In earlier Oikonomia articles ” (see end of this article), we have emphasized what we call “good science.”  By our definition, “good science” does not overstate its conclusions even under pressure from granting sources or groups with a political agenda.  Nor would “good science” condone publication of statistically altered data.  In short, “good science” has a conscience ((Latin, conscientia = “knowledge of right and wrong within oneself”).  “Good science” is conscientious about being objective, cautious, humble, and unbiased in a culture that can easily bring bias and elicit unethical behavior.

Thankfully, Truman Burbank, in the 1998 movie, had just enough freedom to resist the institutional definers of his truth and reality to “break through” and discover the larger context of the world in which he had been imprisoned.  The lesson for us today is to actively participate in the electoral process and through actions that hold our institutions of government, education, church, and suppliers of goods and services morally and ethically accountable.  Those who reject moral standards that have been the foundation of our freedoms and equal respect for all human life regardless of stage of life, ethnicity, gender, race, or beliefs should not be elected to positions of leadership.

Jesus invites all who will follow Him:
If you continue in My word,
then you are truly disciples of Mine;
and you will know the truth,
and the truth will make you free.
                        -  John 8: 31-32

What Do You Think?
Isn’t it time we give more attention to valuing the truth, and then using our respective platforms to speak out on behalf of freedom of speech, freedom of worship, access to quality education, and teaching of the moral foundation based on the biblical command to love others as we love ourselves (Mark 12: 31)?  Our involvements can support efforts to preserve our basic freedoms and the law and order necessary to justly secure and maintain them for all of us.  Without them, the social and economic structure of civilization cannot exist.

I welcome your “Comments” (see below or contact me at silviusj@gmail.com) and refer you to related information at the following:
“The Conscience of Science:  Part 1 Ethics & Accountability”
“Hydroxychloroquine: “Good Science” Challenges Politicized Science”
“Halting the Demise of “Liberal” Education” or “How Truman (Jim Carey) breaks through to truth (on movie, The Truman Show).”