Science under siege by Michael Mann and Peter Hotez

349p. Many of us vaguely appreciate that so much of our modern global, national and personal dissonance is beyond our control. But we can no longer be unwittingly complicit for want of connecting the dots.  From fake news to anti-science and from social media influenced elections to outright invasions, we citizens are bamboozled, distracted or stupefied by not one, but several interconnected forces united only by driving self-interest.

Demeaned and criticized by fellow professionals in the service of political or financial  interests, are two of the world’s leading scientists, Michael Mann and Peter Hotez. In Science Under Seige, they are fighting back by laying out historical and personal attacks in a plain speak manifesto for citizen enlightenment. The authors have ‘named and shamed’ the major players in the anti-science ecosystem and linked a litany of evidence, to the five most powerful groups who threaten our world - the 5 P's – Plutocrats, Petrostates, Professionals (fake or on the take), Propagandists and the Press. 

“In some cases there is a blurring of these categories, such as what it means to be a pro versus a propagandist, or a plutocrat versus a propagandist – think Elon Musk. So it should come as no surprise that the same names and groups pop up in multiple chapters…”  

By analysing historical events such as political conflicts, weapons and climate debates or the terrible mismanagement of the global Pandemic; we are confronted by the machinations of this insidious network.  Mann and Hotez are not without hope, and they expound several ways we can individually and collectively defuse some of the disinformation that is causing so much turmoil while enriching the obscenely wealthy and their minions. Detailed Chapter notes and an Index, rouse readers to dethrone the propogandists by supporting science, democratic values and communicating constructively - not with hate. The authors counter our growing loss of faith in political leaders and scientists with a plea to reject only the attacks; on real science, on the inclusivity of our communities and on the very survival of our planet.

Whilst this is both popular science and political science aimed at adults, it is not only an urgent combative rallying call.  It belongs in any school library or social science department collection or broader teacher reference collection if only to model that research by credentialed constructive experts must be our sanity saviour if not saving grace.   

Themes: Climate action, Disinformation, Anti-science, Politics, Public health.

Deborah Robins