People who lack formal scientific credentials are nonetheless qualified to speak with authority on matters of common science. – Douglas Axe, Undeniable

In the last few years, especially during the pandemic debacle, authoritarian science has replaced the scientific method which follows the evidence wherever it leads. We heard many bureaucrats, politicians, and talking heads say things like “Follow the Science” or “Trust the Science.”

When anyone questioned them, the questioners were told not to question the science, to accept the word of strangers, and that you — the people — couldn’t understand, so just listen to the experts.

This isn’t how science works. This is anti-science. Real science — and real scientists — aren’t afraid of questions. They also know people are smart. Not everyone needs an academic degree, or to be anointed an expert by someone, to understand, interpret, and test allegedly scientific claims.

Molecular biologist Douglas Axe writes in Undeniable we all think, in some way, like scientists:

Basic science is an integral part of how we live. We are all careful observers of our world. We all make mental notes of what we observe. We all use these notes to build conceptual models of how things work. And we all continually refine these models as needed. Without doubt, this is science. I have called it common science to emphasize the connection to common sense.

There is technical science that requires mathematics, experimentation, and so forth, but you can still understand scientific claims and concepts without those. You can test claims from the experts. In an era where the experts are often shown wrong (such as in climate, disease, or origins of life), we need citizen scientists.

Don’t fear science. Study it, use it. Your mind is a superpower to wield in preserving your health and freedoms. Anyone who tells you to be quiet and don’t question is someone who fears the truth will become known.

Make the truth known.