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Original poster

Any other scientists feel like you are in an alternate reality?

85 replies

RockPaperScience · 21/10/2021 20:49

I mean, seriously.

I’ve sequenced and karyotyped more X and Y chromosomes (and autosomes, I’m not picky) than I can count. How did we get to this sorry, ugly, baffling state of affairs of science and biology denial. I know we kind of know how, but I’ve had a glass of wine and WTAF is going on?

OP posts:
MishyJDI · 21/10/2021 21:23

It's essentially because many people got stuck believing science was simply X and Y, without acknowledging Darwinism and spectrum. They are being left behind. As what has happened in the past with flat earthers.

Doyoumind · 21/10/2021 21:14

I am close to a scientist whose PhD was entirely specific to the study of one sex who (from a let's be kind though I've never given it much thought and I'm not a bigot perspective) is not GC and buys into the whole gender thing. I don't talk to them about such things anymore.

Original poster
RockPaperScience · 21/10/2021 21:11

manatsu, that tweet! FFS. No, mate, there aren’t.

It really didn’t last long. We’ve gone from public discussion about exponential transmission rates of viruses and the relative sensitivity and specificities of PCR vs lateral flow tests to SEX IS PRETEND clownfish nonsense.

OP posts:
MassiveHoard · 21/10/2021 21:04

I felt the same watching newsnight last week. Eminent biologist says you can't change sex, tv presenter (No known biological qualifications ) says some people would disagree with you. WTAF.

foxgoosefinch · 21/10/2021 21:02

Not a scientist but in academia (and have all science A-levels so decent basic knowledge too).

I’m also massively disappointed I have to say, because at one point in 2020 when Covid became serious it looked like society was gaining a new respect for science, medicine and rationality. Suddenly being able to use a PCR machine, understand virology or epidemiological statistics or design a vaccine was in huge demand.

Well, from Trump to the antivaxxers to all the trans stuff, that didn’t last long, did it. I feel quite despairing about the bonkers let’s pretend fact-optional worldview many people seem to operate in these days, and I regularly think maybe I slipped into an alternate universe, or somehow everyone’s been brainwashed by Russian bots or forgotten most of the twentieth century existed…?

manatsu · 21/10/2021 21:00

mobile.twitter.com/HamletHologram/status/1448295221545115653 oops, meant to post this

manatsu · 21/10/2021 20:59

I know. When I read tweets like this with thousands of likes and hundreds of people in the comments vehemently agreeing that sex doesn't exist and I think about everything I've learnt from years of education and work and not only that, but my lived experience in a female-sexed body, I find it all so depressing. People are so easily led and reluctant to fact check. But it's us with '3rd grade biology' allegedly (um, that plus another 20 years)...

Helleofabore · 21/10/2021 20:59

RockPaperScience

Apparently though humans are clownfish, or something.

Well some people think so.

MissConductUS · 21/10/2021 20:54

I'm a medical professional, not a scientist, but I'm with you. It's like they think that if they can get enough people calling a tail a leg that it will really be a leg.

StillWeRise · 21/10/2021 20:53

I blame the (science) teachers

no not really I blame Michael Gove
Or whoever is responsible for the mess that is secondary education

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