Skip to main content

The danger of science denial - Michael Specter

73,384 Views

11,103 Questions Answered

TED Talk

Let’s Begin…

Vaccine-autism claims, "Frankenfood" bans, the herbal cure craze: All point to the public's growing fear (and, often, outright denial) of science and reason, says Michael Specter. He warns the trend spells disaster for human progress.

Additional Resources for you to Explore

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social impairments, cognitive impairments, communication difficulties, and repetitive behaviors.
The Chernobyl disaster was a catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred on April 26, 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.
Michael Specter has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 1998 and is the author of Denialism, about how irrational thinking hinders scientific progress, harms the planet, and threatens our lives.
Jonas Salk was an American medical researcher and virologist, best known for his discovery and development of the first successful polio vaccine.
Paul Offit is an American pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases and an expert on vaccines, immunology, and virology. He is the co-inventor of a rotavirus vaccine that has been credited with saving hundreds of lives every day.
Genetically modified foods are foods derived from genetically modified crops. The genetic engineering of plants and animals is looming as one of the greatest and most intractable environmental challenges of the 21st Century.
Harvested in the rainforests of Brazil, açaí is made up of a remarkable concentration of antioxidants that help combat premature aging, with 10 times more antioxidants than red grapes and 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine.

About TED Talk Lessons

TED Talk Lessons are created by TED-Ed using phenomenal TED Talks. Do you have an idea for a lesson? Create it now using any video from YouTube »

Meet The Creators

  • Speaker Michael Specter

More from The Way We Think