The Disenlightenment? Skepticism and Preposterous Claims in the Digital Age

By: Rowan Dunne

Anti-vaxxers, flat-earthers, believers that shapeshifting reptiles rule the world!

We aren’t just living in an era of high skepticism, it seems there’s no limit to the outrageous concepts and theories some people will believe these days.

This semester I will be looking into what underlies the incredulity that seems to be pervasive in contemporary society. It is an especially timely topic given the COVID-19 pandemic and reactions to the measures imposed to counter it such as lockdowns, mask-wearing, and social distancing. Why given, all our scientific knowledge and capacity to acquire and crunch data are we so skeptical of expertise?

Over the next few weeks, I will be exploring the psychological and cultural influences that seem to be contributing to this era of disenlightenment. Please send me your thoughts: dunner@uwindsor.ca.