Alternative Facts & Fake News

Abstract

Research Article| October 01 2018 Alternative Facts & Fake News Departmental Editor: Douglas Allchin Douglas Allchin Departmental Editor Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar The American Biology Teacher (2018) 80 (8): 631–633. https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2018.80.8.631 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Douglas Allchin; Alternative Facts & Fake News. The American Biology Teacher 1 October 2018; 80 (8): 631–633. doi: https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2018.80.8.631 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentThe American Biology Teacher Search “Mendacity!” Big Daddy repeatedly exclaims in Tennessee Williams's classic drama Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. “Do you know what that is?” he continues in his deep Southern drawl. “It's lies and liars!” Big Daddy was talking about hidden family secrets, but he might just as well have been talking about anti-vaxxers, climate change deniers, or other purveyors of public disinformation. The discounting and outright dismissal of facts has become big business of late. The process of finding and confidently ascertaining facts is central to science. But also outside of science. For example, investigative journalists probe current events, often seeking newsworthy information that certain interests try to hide from public view. Military intelligence experts seek credible testimony and evidence about national security risks. Grand juries hear from witnesses and assess evidence in pursuit of criminal justice. They all rely on the same methods as science – to justify claims... You do not currently have access to this content.