My apologies to all. I had not meant to stir the pot on vaccines specifically. Certainly the recent global pandemic has given me a new lens through which to ponder these issues, but I've observed this behavior for... I suppose much of my life. I grew up around folks who were staunch advocates for science, and yet some sought things such as the "healing power of crystals" as well. It seemed a contradiction to me even as a child. I suppose I am often curious whether a better understanding of why perfectly rational, competent, and compassionate people can vocally support a data driven life at one moment, but when it comes to all manner of health related topics, jettison their previously dedicated stance toward the utility of science - and usually just on the one aspect. Perhaps this was not the place to open this broader discussion, however. And for that I take full responsibility. I hope we can all respect one and other. And if there is anyone I offended, please know, I do not dislike people with whom I may disagree. Though, I do genuinely seek to better understand their perspective, which I suppose can come off as interrogatory, when it is simply inquisitiveness. I'll leave it there.
My problem with these issues is that I can usually see some sense in both sides. I guess it comes from being a conservative folk singer. I tend to not get too riled about things and, like I said, do what the doctors say, especially when the doctor is a personal friend who, I'm reasonably sure, sincerely has my best interest at heart. But I can see where some of the antis are coming from.
Part of it is that, while science is unbiassed and fact-based, scient
ists are human just like the rest of us, and subject to preconceived notions, hubris, greed, and all the other faults of humanity. Peer review helps, but it's hardly infallible. Some people seem to think that "the science" (or in education, "the research") is the infallible settler of all conflict, the sole distributer of all truth and reality. But power, including the intellectual kind, corrupts, and those with the power often do not have the best interests of ordinary people at heart. That being so, it can be healthy to not trust the establishment too much, scientific or otherwise.
Right along with that goes the often healthy distrust of government upon which our great nation was founded. Many Americans value liberty more than safety, and will gladly put themselves and others at risk in order to safeguard their individual freedom. These people don't want the government telling them what to do any more than necessary, and when the government steps beyond its bounds, people get upset. And they should. Others value safety more than freedom, and just can't comprehend why that first group can't just wear the #!*$ mask.
And of course, history shows that government entities generally don't like giving up power once they have it.
I'm not trying to take any sides politically. I'm just saying that usually when I hear someone entirely on one side or the other, my gut reaction is "It isn't that simple." Taken to extremes, all of the above views can cloud judgement and affect how the data is spun. Conspiracy theories about, name calling starts, and away we go.
An interesting book on the topic is
The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion by Haidt. The author goes into the different core values people have (all of which are morally neutral) and how they affect one's reaction to situations like covid.
