Science, humanity’s most potent tool for understanding and shaping the world, is under threat. Ironically, the assault comes not from any external enemy, but from our own hearts and minds. Pervasive religious and superstitious beliefs, a glaring deficiency in mainstream media coverage of scientific advancements, and an increasing lack of scientific literacy among the public are all contributing to the unjustifiable neglect of science. The consequences are profound, and they are dire.

“Science is not the enemy; ignorance is.”

Consider the staggering technological advances we’ve made in just the past century: the eradication of smallpox, the sequencing of the human genome, landing a rover on Mars, and the rapid development of vaccines to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. All these milestones were borne of the scientific method, an approach to understanding that prizes evidence, logic, and the relentless questioning of assumptions.

Yet, despite these monumental achievements, science remains unappreciated and often misunderstood. The prevalence of outdated religious and superstitious beliefs continues to trump scientific evidence in many parts of the world. This collective amnesia is not just a mild curiosity; it is a willful disregard for our best means of deciphering the world and solving its most pressing problems.

“Mainstream media, with its attention economy, has largely failed to give science its due coverage.”

Science is not only about the universe’s mysteries; it is about our everyday lives, our health, our environment, our survival. But its crucial role is often overshadowed by sensational news headlines, political drama, or celebrity gossip. Mainstream media, with its attention economy, has largely failed to give science its due coverage, trading complex truths for digestible narratives. This negligence has left a void that has been filled by misinformation and conspiracy theories.

Online platforms, designed to connect and enlighten, have instead turned into breeding grounds for falsehoods. The spread of irrational theories is not merely a symptom of our digital age; it is a testament to the worldwide dearth of scientific literacy. Without a basic understanding of scientific principles and the ability to discern fact from fiction, people are easy prey for these conspiracies.

“The spread of irrational theories is not merely a symptom of our digital age; it is a testament to the worldwide dearth of scientific literacy.”

But this is not merely about being wrong on the internet. The dismissal of science has real-world implications that threaten our civilization. Denial of climate change, resistance to vaccinations, and the proliferation of pseudoscientific health practices are but a few examples. These are not harmless idiosyncrasies; they cost lives, cause unnecessary suffering, and delay our response to global crises.

The solution to these problems lies, ironically, in the very thing that is being neglected: science. We need a sea change in our relationship with science, starting with a commitment to elevate it in our educational systems. A scientifically literate population is less susceptible to misinformation and better equipped to make informed decisions about personal and public issues.

“We need a sea change in our relationship with science.”

Furthermore, mainstream media must step up to its responsibility. It is time to prioritize science and deliver nuanced, evidence-based narratives over sensational, simplistic ones. And for the digital behemoths, the propagation of misinformation must be curbed. Algorithms need to be designed to emphasize truth over engagement, facts over sensation.

Moreover, it is crucial to foster a dialogue between science and religion, rather than a conflict. Many religious beliefs can coexist with scientific understanding, and many religious individuals and organizations contribute significantly to scientific progress. It’s about recognizing the importance of empirical truth in our shared reality, regardless of our spiritual or philosophical inclinations.

Science is not the enemy; ignorance is. Science is not an elite pursuit; it is a democratic endeavor that benefits all of humanity. It is the torch that lights our path in a universe that is often dark and confusing. It is our best hope for tackling the existential threats we face, from pandemics to climate change.

We must reject the notion that science is just one of many ways of understanding the world. Instead, we must embrace it as the cornerstone of progress, the foundation upon which our shared future rests. In an age of unprecedented challenges and opportunities, we can no longer afford to treat science with indifference or hostility. We must champion its values of evidence, rationality, and critical inquiry, recognizing that the pursuit of truth is not a luxury, but a necessity.

“We must reject the notion that science is just one of many ways of understanding the world.”

Let us awaken from our collective slumber and rekindle the fire of curiosity that has driven humanity’s greatest achievements. Together, we can reclaim the mantle of progress and, through science, build a better, more enlightened world for generations to come.

Generated by ChatGPT (GPT-4), from the prompt: “Write a 1000-words provocative piece arguing that one of the main problem of this world comes from how neglected science is. Due to deeply anchored religious and superstitious beliefs from another age, to weak coverage of scientific progress by mainstream media, to the lack of scientific culture in the global population, and to online media facilitating conspiracy theories and the spread of irrational thesis, real science is often ran down and mistreated. Insist on the fact that science is the only way to solve the world’s main issues and to allow the human civilzation to progress.”