The more I research the failures of scientific communication, the more I realize that effective science communication takes into account one’s cultural and religious beliefs. Perhaps, that’s a “duh” statement. But, for some reason, most scientists and science communicators seem to forget about the fact that people are very prone to falling for in-group-out-group bias, AKA tribalism. Since most scientists and scientific communicators fall into the “out-group” more often than not, it’s no wonder that their words fall on deaf ears.
What do I mean by this?
Well… according to a 2009 Pew Research Study, 83% of the general public believed in God at the time, while only 41% of scientists believed in God. In 2016, a ResearchGate study found that 67% of the general public believed in God, while only 30% of scientists believed in God. The chasm grows wider when we compare the general public to scientists who study biology. In 2020, 75% of Americans identified as Christian, while only 25% of biologists identified as religious, period (religious includes Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, etc).
See where I’m going with this?
Long story short, the more I wrestle with the failures of science communication, the more I find it to be a cultural issue, not a scientific issue. Culturally speaking, in America, people who are right-of-center on the political spectrum tend to be overwhelmingly Christian, and distrust scientists far more than people who are left-of-center.
For me, this wasn’t a shocking revelation at all. However, I’ve been struggling with the apparent politicization of science, ever since. After all, I detest politics and politicians from all over the political spectrum. Politics in general make me want to puke (especially these days).
But, how can one talk about science without getting political?
Well… considering how much power science has on politics- not just in the USA, but all over the world, and throughout all of history- I’ve come to the nauseating conclusion that there is no way to discuss science without getting political.
In other words, science is political!
Now that I’ve admitted that horrible truth, what do I do with it?
Frankly, I don't know. That’s a question ultimately for God, and is why my faith is imperative to me.
