Nic, I really can't tell when you're faking anymore. What's your stance on fluoride in drinking water?
I don’t know if flouride amounts found in drinking water are dangerous or not. Probably doesn’t hurt for it not to be in things like drinking water or toothpaste. It’s always good to have scientists continue to try to tear down consensus, especially if science says something is safe.
The outright rejection of learned authority out of hand is a troubling symptom of the anti-intellectualism movement driven by Trump that is sweeping the country. There is some RFK Jr. in you.
I mean, arguing that it’s best for scientists to continue to test and try to disprove theory/consensus/prevailing thought, even consensus, is the backbone of the scientific method and academia. To argue that it’s anti-intellectual is a pretty rough argument to make.
But changing the status quo that is backed by well-established, credible science
before you find any convincing evidence that the status quo is harmful? That sounds bunk. The only reason to do that is in service of a belief in conspiracies or, worse, a desire to pander to those poor souls who do. Absent exceptional circumstances not present here, the status quo should be maintained unless the person asking to disturb it puts forth convincing-enough evidence of the merits to the appropriate standard (of production, persuasion, or proof). To do otherwise would be to embrace anarchy and/or nihilism, which just so happens to be in vogue right now among a certain voting bloc. Also, the stuff CNS said.
