00:00When we engage with mainstream media, we're often met with content that teeters on the
00:09edge of pseudoscience, or is downright murky.
00:14This isn't just limited to major national newspapers, which sometimes irresponsibly
00:18give a platform to charlatans.
00:22We also encounter it in books and even in popular science magazines that, in a bid to
00:26boost sales, veer into sensationalism.
00:30Take for instance, the February 2014 issue of National Geographic Kids.
00:37The cover story claimed to reveal what stones say about people, especially those corresponding
00:42to birth dates.
00:44While it might sound intriguing, it's essentially nonsensical.
00:49National Geographic seems to be aware of this, as they included a disclaimer, if these descriptions
00:55don't match, that's okay.
00:58These are just for fun.
01:00So, the content could either be completely fabricated or accidentally accurate.
01:06It's a coin toss.
01:08The real aim is to provide entertainment through a list of birthstones and their supposed meanings,
01:13blending myths with scientific facts in a way that's indistinguishable.
01:18The result?
01:19It's just for fun.
01:22This approach is particularly disheartening for two reasons.
01:25First, it's from National Geographic, an institution known for its commitment to exploration and
01:31education.
01:33Second, the target audience is children and adolescents.
01:38While most kids can likely discern fact from fiction, it's concerning that such a reputable
01:43organization would blur these lines so openly.
01:47This isn't a fantasy novel.
01:49It's an editorial choice by one of the world's leading scientific and educational bodies.
01:55This raises important questions.
01:57Is it necessary to resort to pseudoscience to be profitable?
02:01What are the social implications of this?
02:04Much like Ponset, who shifted from media to self-help, we risk losing our ability to defend
02:09a publication that allows myths and beliefs to become its main selling point.
02:15For a deeper reflection on this issue, Antonio Martinez Rahn offers a lucid perspective,
02:21and Richard Dawkins' Unweaving the Rainbow eloquently argues how well-explained science
02:25can be more awe-inspiring and poetic than any artistic creation.
02:31True science, without the trappings of pseudoscience, can be incredibly captivating, especially
02:36for children.
02:38Stripping away the magic and myths doesn't make the world any less wondrous.
02:44In a world devoid of ogres, witches, and closet monsters, where teddy bears don't harbor
02:49magic but rather a child's imagination, we find a universe filled with millions of planets
02:54and galaxies.
02:57Gifts come from loved ones, not mythical beings.
03:01Uncertainty and doubt become opportunities for exploration, and natural phenomena reveal
03:06wonders beyond our wildest dreams.
03:09As someone who loves fantasy fiction, I can appreciate the allure of the fantastical.
03:16But separating magic from science allows us to appreciate the true marvels of our world.
03:22So what do you think?
03:24Let's hear your thoughts.
03:26Vaya, io9
03:29Best comments, view 11 comments.
03:32Subscribe.
Comentarios