# Science Vs Podcast Takes a Stand Against Misinformation
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Chapter 1: A Commitment to Truth
The Science Vs podcast, hosted by Australian science journalist Wendy Zukerman, is not attempting to "cancel" Joe Rogan. Instead, it stands firmly against misinformation, pseudoscience cloaked as fact, and conspiracy theories that often fuel anger and division for the sake of ratings.
This past week, Science Vs, a Spotify show like Rogan's, launched an episode that dismantles a wealth of inaccuracies present in “Joe Rogan: The Malone Interview.” This episode prompted 270 doctors to sign a letter denouncing Rogan and Malone for what they described as a "serious distortion of scientific data."
The podcast employs rigorous scientific methods to distinguish fact from fiction, tackling contentious subjects that resonate in today's society, including gun control, COVID-19, climate change, organic food, and vaccines. While Science Vs typically adopts a light-hearted tone, it treats facts and research with utmost seriousness, always careful not to overreach or make unsupported claims.
Section 1.1: Analyzing Misleading Claims
In the recent episode, Zukerman and producer Rose Rimler strategically chose not to refute every misleading statement made by Rogan's guest. Rather, they concentrated on the most egregious attempts at deception, notably false assertions regarding fertility issues linked to COVID vaccines. Science Vs also scrutinizes the tactics employed by Malone, who selectively presents data that supports his claims while disregarding evidence that contradicts them.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Fight Against COVID Misinformation
Since March 2020, Science Vs has dedicated itself to combating COVID misinformation with its characteristic diligence. After Spotify opted to side with Rogan, protecting its $100 million investment, Zukerman and editor Blythe Terrell announced that they would pause new episodes—except those aimed at countering misinformation on Spotify—until the company enhances its measures against the spread of falsehoods.
Section 1.2: The Nature of Truth
In a courtroom, witnesses swear to "tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." Truth, by definition, is grounded in objective facts that have undergone rigorous validation. While truths can evolve—consider how our understanding of the earth's shape and position in the solar system has changed—it is vital that truth remains unlinked to political biases or exploited for commercial gain.
Chapter 2: Upholding Objectivity
Having listened to Science Vs for years, I can attest to its commitment to a science-based perspective, steering clear of ideological bias when presenting facts. The podcast frequently acknowledges uncertainties, stating things like “we don’t know for sure” or “the data is muddled.”
What Science Vs is actively opposing is what Bill Moyers referred to as “the mass production of doubt to compete against fact.” Moyers noted that the delusional has become increasingly mainstream.
Kudos to Science Vs for its steadfast refusal to accept distortion and deceit, championing a fact-based reality where objectivity still holds significance in an age rife with "alternative facts."