“I Do My Own Research.” No You Don’t

A reader sent me the meme here.

What he appears not to understand is that people without scientific training are incapable of performing scientific research. Most hairdressers and swimming instructors are fine people, but the very highest they’ll be able to reach, in any given arena of science, is to comprehend the prevalent theories of the day.

If they go online and read about things like climate change and the pandemic and reach a conclusion that is at odds from the scientists, they are not in disagreement; they are simply incorrect.

There are two independent factors that make this universally true.

The first is the scientific method itself, with its hypotheses, experiments, data collection, analyses, and conclusions, followed by rigorous peer review, culminating in rejection, modification, or acceptance. That has no resemblance to any process of which this reader is capable.

The other is cognitive bias.  I would ask the reader mentioned above to be honest with himself:  Is he completely objective in what websites he selects?  Is he interested in learning, or in corroborating what he already believes?  I think we both know the answer.