The Covid Science Wars
Good science should be open to new ideas. I&#x27;m totally on board with mask wearing, social distancing, isolating when possible, etc. etc., but always keeping in mind the possibility that <i>we could be wrong</i> is a crucial factor in coming to objective truth through empirical means.<p>Reminds me of this blog post I read a while back: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;scott.wiersdorf.org&#x2F;blarney&#x2F;science" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;scott.wiersdorf.org&#x2F;blarney&#x2F;science</a><p>It&#x27;s hard to disagree cordially and constructively when you perceive the &quot;other side&quot; as being uninformed, unenlightened, rude, or careless. We&#x27;re really good at furnishing examples of such people which we generalize to represent the entire opposition.<p>I try and get over this by thinking what values other people have that might lead them to the conclusions that they do. I also try and think about what factors led them to the sets of information that they&#x27;re working with. That has two effects: 1.) I&#x27;m less mad at them (usually), and 2.) I can understand how to talk to their concerns and worries, rather than just at them. I can&#x27;t change other people, so I try and change myself.<p>I&#x27;m not saying I&#x27;m perfect at that—this doesn&#x27;t always work as well as I&#x27;d like. What helps you to sympathize and communicate with others?