If there is one thing that fake skeptics are known for, it's not their warm and fuzzy demeanor.
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| Don't Be A Dick Guys, Says Phil Plait |
This makes the new hashtag that our old friend Kevin Folta is trying trying to popularize, that much more ironic.
"In this week of technical failures and personal challenges, this week’s podcast investigates the merits of civil conversation. In an angry online environment, can we use the tools of trust building, listening, and empathy to build trust and have greater influence? I discuss my current circumstances and the status of the social media discussion of vaccine hesitancy and genetic engineering. Can we influence the acceptance of good technology with a soft touch? Can we win more hearts and minds with kindness than with data? This is a very important episode I hope you’ll find illuminating."
Clearly the need for this type of outreach speaks to the deficit in basic civility from a lot of self-described science communicators. It has been touched on here before how important science communication is, which is why this blog exists in large part. The warped form of "SciComm" displayed by fake skeptics harms the efforts of legitimate scientists, journalists, activists, and educators to improve public knowledge and inspire action on a manner of important topics that affect every living being on earth. Quite literally the future of our species and planet are on the line here, and we can't afford to fuck this up.
So while we can definitely see examples out there of science communication being done right by both professionals and laypersons alike, have things improved with the behavior of those who identify as Skeptics since Phil Plait's blunt admonishment? This blog alone is a testament to the fact that things seem to only be worsening. The continued popularity of social media accounts and celebrity Skeptics with surly attitudes who endlessly debunk the same tired shit and throw around insults is evident to those who pay even a minimum amount of attention.
Is the #ScienceHug a real good faith effort, or is it just a ploy? Does Professor Folta really practice what he preaches? Will he help Skeptics turn a new leaf?
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Well, in this first example, he's using the hashtag to call someone a liar...not off to great start. Wonder how they took it?
Mmmm, not so good. How about Folta's followers? Are they giving Twitter a big, warm #ScienceHug? Let's find out!
If Kevin's past track record is any indication, we can expect that #ScienceHug isn't going to bring about any lasting change to the attitudes of a particular faction of SciComm.
See Science Bullies, Censorship or Consequences, and Empathy Deficiency Syndrome for a slice of the recent history of SciComm by fake skeptics.
