When hundreds of Californians invaded the state capitol last week to demand the right not to vaccinate their kids, they were playing out a very modern conflict: science versus belief systems. Scientists tell parents that vaccinations are safe. But many parents prefer to trust their gut instinct that they’re not safe. This dialogue of the deaf is becoming the norm. Increasingly, people make their own decisions on health and diet, instead of outsourcing them to scientists, doctors or governments.
不久前,數百名美國加州人闖入州議會大廈,要求擁有不讓自己的孩子接種疫苗的權利,他們演繹了一場極爲現代的衝突——科學vs觀念體系。科學家告訴家長接種疫苗是安全的,但許多家長寧願相信自己的直覺——接種疫苗不安全。這種雞同鴨講式的對話已成常態。人們在健康和飲食方面越來越自作主張,而不是相信科學家、醫生或政府。