Co-authors Michael Mann and Peter Hotez provide five insights from their book Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World. They argue that anti-science is the most significant threat facing humanity, overshadowing crises like climate change and pandemics. The authors identify five key forces behind this anti-science movement, termed “The Five P’s”: Plutocrats, Authoritarian Petrostates, the “Pros”, Propagandists, and the Press. Together, these entities create a web of misinformation that exacerbates public health and environmental crises.
They highlight the dire consequences of anti-science, noting recent disasters in the U.S., including devastating wildfires and a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. The authors also warn of a brain drain in scientific research due to politically motivated attacks and funding cuts, which threaten careers in science and the nation’s research infrastructure.
Utilizing a metaphor from The Lord of the Rings, they liken the struggle against anti-science to battling dark forces, emphasizing the urgent need to counter misinformation. They assert that this fight is crucial for ensuring a livable planet for future generations. Ultimately, they call for collective action against the forces of darkness that perpetuate pseudoscience and misinformation.
