Defending Science in an Age of Mistrust

There is a growing problem in the United States today that many people are not aware of or do not take seriously enough. I am talking about the rise of anti-science thinking. This mistrust of science is not just a harmless disagreement. It threatens our health, our progress, and our place in the world.

I grew up in a world that honored science. In my home, neighborhood, and at all the schools I attended, science was considered extremely important. That respect only deepened as I went through college, graduate school, and later into professional and advanced studies. Science was central to the way we learned, understood, and made sense of the world.

My brother, who is six years older than I am, became a physician. His life was devoted to science, and his example inspired me. From my earliest memories, I saw science not as a set of cold facts, but as a way to understand and help human beings. It offered answers to real problems and gave hope to people in pain.

One of my clearest memories is receiving a home chemistry set. It came with real chemicals, an instruction book, and a small Bunsen burner. I loved it. I felt like a young scientist discovering how things worked. Later, in high school, I joined the Science Squad. Our job was to prepare materials for biology and chemistry teachers so they could demonstrate experiments. It was fun, it was hands-on, and it deepened my love for learning.

That love never faded. I went on to study psychology, anthropology, psychoanalysis, clinical social work, and statistics. Each of these fields, though different, shared a common goal, which is to use knowledge and evidence to help us better understand human life and improve it.

That is what science is about. It begins with a question or a theory. Then we test that idea through careful observation, experimentation, and analysis. If the results hold up over time and are confirmed by others, then we begin to accept that idea as a valid explanation. That is how we make progress.

But today, in 2025, it seems that many Americans are forgetting this. There is a growing wave of misinformation, especially on social media. People are flooded with false claims, conspiracy theories, and deliberate lies. Worse yet, these falsehoods often come from foreign governments and groups who want to weaken our country. And sadly, many Americans believe these things.

I find that heartbreaking. It is as though we are throwing away the very tools that helped us build modern life. Science has cured diseases, extended life, improved agriculture, given us computers, helped us communicate across the globe, and made transportation safer and faster. It has made possible things that once existed only in the imagination.

The quote I used to begin this essay captures the heart of the problem. It warns against treating scientific facts and unprovable beliefs as if they were equal. They are not equal. Science is open to being questioned and tested. It relies on proof. It corrects itself. But superstition, fantasy, and conspiracy theories often resist all questioning and change.

As Americans, we should be leading the world in science. We should be investing in research, supporting our scientists, and making sure our children are excited to learn. Other countries like China, Russia, and India are moving quickly to advance their own scientific knowledge. If we fall behind, it will not just be our loss, but a loss for the entire world.

We need to teach our children the joy of discovery. We need to support public education. We need to regulate social media platforms that spread lies and falsehoods. And we need to return to a culture that respects truth, values knowledge, and knows the difference between fact and fiction.

I may not have all the perfect words, but I do know that science is essential. Without it, we are blind. Without it, we are at the mercy of fear, fantasy, and manipulation. With it, we can build, heal, and grow.

Let us remember who we are.

Let us remember how far we have come. And let us never forget the power of science to improve life for all of us.