Why Did We Stop Trusting Science? (Free Discussion)

Why Did We Stop Trusting Science?

You have never personally verified that the earth orbits the sun. You haven't tested the medication in your bathroom cabinet, inspected the plane before you boarded it, or checked the structural integrity of the bridge before you drove over it. You took someone else's word for all of it… because you had to.

Nobody has the time to know more than a sliver of what they depend on, and a civilization only works because we agree to trust knowledgeable strangers about the rest. So the question isn't whether you trust experts. You do. You're doing it right now, in a hundred ways, without noticing.

The interesting question is what makes you suddenly stop. Because everyone has a point where they no longer trust the experts. The pilot's expertise goes unquestioned, but the doctor gets argued with. One study lands as common sense, and another lands as suspicious. "Follow the evidence" might sound reasonable about climate, almost like propaganda about nutrition, and depends on the date and time regarding psychiatry.

And the switch isn't random. It's tracking what you already believed before you heard the claim, who's in your tribe, what would be inconvenient if true, who's telling you, what you already wanted to be the case. We like to think our skepticism is well-calibrated, applied evenly, and intellectually honest. But is it?

This Wednesday at Questions That Matter, we’ll be using some potential questions and prompts for the night such as these:

1. The phrase “do your own research” is mocked by some and treated as gospel by others. What is an example of a time your own intellectual honesty forced you to accept a position you instinctually hated? And when is it a way of saying "I'll keep looking until I find someone who agrees with me"?

2. We hand our lives to pilots and surgeons without a second thought. But tell us what to eat, how to think, or where to put our money — and suddenly everyone's a critic. What's the actual difference?

3. You distrust the corporate science/pharmaceutical companies because they are faceless and have an agenda. You trust the podcaster selling supplements because they feel more real and seem to say what others won't. Do you feel you are actually thinking critically? Are your instincts being exploited?

As usual, the goal of the night isn’t simply to agree, disagree, or learn. It’s also to connect through genuine, lively, interactive discussion and, potentially, to go to some of the unexpected and uncharted places that deep and free conversation can take us.

Since we started Questions That Matter, between 25 and 50 people have joined us weekly. When we wrap up, we hope you’ll mingle and exchange numbers. Additionally, every week many of us go for dinner and you’re very welcome to join us. As polarized as the world is right now, one of the deepest connections still available to human beings is a shared meal.

Whether you’re in Chiang Mai for a short visit or you’re a long-term expat, we hope you can join us—not only to explore the deeper questions but to make new connections and friendships.

If possible, please support the venue, 4seas, by purchasing a beverage or a snack. They're kindly providing the space for us at no charge.
See you on Wednesday.

สวัสดีเพื่อนชาวไทย 🙏 Questions That Matter คือกลุ่มสนทนารายสัปดาห์ที่รวมคนจากหลากหลายประเทศมาแลกเปลี่ยนความคิดในหัวข้อที่น่าสนใจและท้าทาย ทั้งปรัชญา สังคม และวัฒนธรรม ไม่มีคำตอบที่ถูกหรือผิด มีแค่การสนทนาที่เปิดใจและตรงไปตรงมา มีผู้เข้าร่วมทุกสัปดาห์ 25-50 คน และเราอยากได้ยินมุมมองของคนไทยในวงสนทนา 📅 ทุกวันพุธ 18:00–20:00 น. 📍 4Seas Nimman ซอย 15 💰 เข้าฟรี สนทนาเป็นภาษาอังกฤษ เหมาะสำหรับผู้ที่พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้คล่อง มาแลกเปลี่ยนมุมมองและสร้างมิตรภาพใหม่กัน!