The truth is those people on X are all the most online and ideological people ever and they purposely seek out information that contradicts what is “mainstream”. They don’t actually believe what they say they are just listening to their favorite influencer.
5 months ago | 3
There’s a physicist who is a little annoying sometimes. Therefore gravity can’t exist.
5 months ago | 6
My opinion is, when science educators say “we have to do a better job”, the thing we have to do a better job at is exposing the lies and bad faith of pseudoscience grifters and their connections to the whole web of disinformation pervasive to online culture. Coming into archaeology recently via the algo as an outsider from other spheres dealing with similar problems, it’s obvious to me that the archaeological community is in the enterprise of building our knowledge of human history in good faith and solid scholarship. Keep defeating lies and don’t worry about bad faith criticisms.
5 months ago | 34
I think that when education is behind a paywall, everyone suffers.
5 months ago | 9
I don't think archaeologists have lost the public trust. Just ask any random person you walk into in the street and the vast majority will say they have never heard of Graham H or Dan R. Their cult following only looks bigger than they actually are because their small numbers are super active on YouTube or Reddit, because only there do they find people who will listen to them.
5 months ago (edited) | 10
Ill stick with the scientifically proven facts of the academics whether i like their personalitys or not .
5 months ago | 3
I think that archaeologists do not present as well as the crazies do. The truth is also just not as interesting to most people. I’ve noticed that many archaeologists take for granted what is spread around in archaeological circles. Like why we know what we know is obvious to us and we all know it. But a lot of that information does not make it out really or isn’t well presented anywhere and so the general public does not understand archaeology. One big example I see tons. “You can’t date stone objects”. This is generally true. You can’t directly. But the public doesn’t know that there are in fact many ways to date stone objects, such as what is found directly under them (can only be this old because organic matter under them is dated). I think if the general public knew some of these things they wouldn’t fall for the “alternative” (aka fake af) history stuff as easily.
5 months ago | 7
Just a reminder that all this and more will be discussed in my upcoming live course: HISTORY VS HYPE: THE ANTIBUNK TOOLKIT. https://youtu.be/gWUaFgPXffk
5 months ago | 14
I think it's part of the broader ideological war between left and right and the distrust that many have for the mainstream media, government, academia, the medical professions and the establishment in general. It's obviously no coincidence that some of the most influential personalities on the right, Joe Rogan and Tucker Carlson for example hold to alt history views, thus influencing their viewers to think the same. Ultimately, I just see it as an extension of the negativity surrounding appeals to authority in general. It's easy and effortless to hold to a contrarian opinion, with the resulting opportunity to criticize academics and the establishment views. I think it just appeals on an emotional level to many people, especially considering the algorithms are fueling these views and increasingly polarizing people.
5 months ago | 1
It's strikingly beautiful and struck me immediately as exhibiting remarkable skill at stone working. Somewhere back in ancient history, there was a craftsperson deeply honored to have their work accompany a high-ranking official into the afterlife.
5 months ago | 0
The uneducated and naive people who even believe in ancient aliens have personality problems, not the other way around. Keep doing the good work David! Way too many grifters want to exploit history so they can profit giving bullshit tours and sell bullshit books, so it makes sense they would attack the credibility or characters of actual academics and profressionals.
5 months ago (edited) | 1
One of the reasons archaeologists get a bad rap is that they challenge long held beliefs by historians who are finally proven wrong through the presence of actual, tangible evidence. Not everyone wants to hear the truth.
5 months ago | 1
I checked the tweet, and in my view, the arguments for distrust were completely irrelevant, as they had no bearing on the findings or the scientific evidence. In general, people are drawn to dramatic and unusual stories, and they often prefer to believe them rather than examine the evidence—especially when the topic involves complex, multidisciplinary science.
5 months ago | 23
they possibly dont trust any media or doctors and have other clusters of bad ideas often a gamesaying response to authority one lady I know listens to my criticisms and understands my threshold for evidence is higher than hers but she just wants to live in a magical world where ufos visit her garden crystals every day (her neighbour complains about drones on a building site studies show kids find real experts who doubt and qualify ideas seem less certain and authoritative than zealouts
5 months ago (edited) | 0
My beliefs are stupid and wrong. Therefore established beliefs are bad
5 months ago | 0
I think one problem may be that archaeologists are, by nature, trained archaeologists, not public speakers or tv presenters. Same for any other career choice. If you choose to make your living in the public eye you usually do some form of study, whether formal or informal, in order to be better at it, and the most successful ones can go on to have a huge following, but that’s just a test of their ability to connect with the public, not the quality of their material. Having the knowledge and being able to engage the public with it are two separate skills and all the professions need to be looking within their ranks for those who have the desire to educate this way and get them formal training in science communication, presentation, learning theory etc and, if necessary, public speaking and styling coaching. I think sometimes professional people think it’s good enough to just be good at their job and don’t realise that media is a whole other job and skill set. I miss the original Time Team as it was an excellent opportunity for professionals to pop up with some relevant info in one episode and some you never heard from again because, whilst their info was sound, they seemed awkward and out of place whereas others, such as Prof Alice Roberts, found a whole new career direction.
5 months ago | 0
World of Antiquity
We have an interesting discussion going on over on X: x.com/DrDavidMiano/status/1937570302436737216 about why so some people say they don't trust archaeologists anymore. What is becoming increasingly apparent (at least in this discussion) is that most of the people who don't trust archaeologists either have a pet theory that archaeologists disagree with, or they know someone else who has a pet theory that archaeologists disagree with. And that really seems to be the big beef. The only other reasons that I am getting is general comments about how they don't like the personality of some archaeologists on social media.
5 months ago | [YT] | 249