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.
2 months ago | 34
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.
2 months ago (edited) | 10
There’s a physicist who is a little annoying sometimes. Therefore gravity can’t exist.
2 months ago | 6
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.
2 months ago | 23
I think that when education is behind a paywall, everyone suffers.
2 months ago | 9
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.
2 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
2 months ago | 14
I would also put in the mix a general distrust of authorities (especially post covid and with MAGA running the show ) , the polarisation (us versus them) and culture wars in our era becoming an issue of status and identity, and the overload of content where you cant tell the actual authorities and experts on a topic from the frauds and fringe and freaks. What do you expect in a world where governments run their political campaigns based on misinformation and ridiculing and demonizing accademical knowledge.
2 months ago | 10
Ill stick with the scientifically proven facts of the academics whether i like their personalitys or not .
2 months ago | 3
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.
2 months ago | 0
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.
2 months ago | 1
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.
2 months ago | 0
Who tf would even have an opinion on archeologists? There's so much dumb noise nowadays.
2 months ago | 1
Are they being mean to you? Who do we have to beat up? 😂 Just kidding. I think these are the same kind of people who used to argue that the earth is flat. Or they just like to argue. I recommend not wasting your time on them
2 months ago | 5
Many of the anti-archaeology brigade are the same people as the anti-science brigade who are the same people as the anti-academia brigade. Most of them don't actually know what archaeologists do, or what science is, or what academics do, and they tend to have high suspiciousness and distrust in authority in common. Every time one of these people say archaeology isn't a science it is a red flag for someone not knowing what makes a discipline a science
2 weeks ago | 0
Some people are so "imaginative" and they should write fantasy/adventure stories–and call them exactly that. A great deal of catastrophic damage has come to our world by way of the determination of some to be the "next Columbus" along with all who jump that train—some become megachurch CEOs-erm– preachers, some become the medical scientist who "discovers" salt is bad for you, fat is bad for you (switch to margarin!), some become the guy who "discovers" that an ancient artifact is clearly an airplane/spacecraft, ergo...!!! "I'm so smart it's dangerous and they're trying to stop me from exposing the TRUTH!"
2 months ago | 0
The underlying feelings that many of the doubters exhibit comes from a general mistrust of societal institutions. Government and religion. The authority figures in society. People around the world have legitimate reasons to mistrust their leaders. Once those beliefs are set, then it is normal behavior for those same people to doubt anyone they view as an authority figure. That definitely includes teachers and scientists. People in general are weak minded and incapable of nuanced thought if it challenges their core beliefs.
1 month ago | 0
I’m not on X, have no Tesla, and won’t go to Mars.
2 months ago | 8
As a student of archaeology and a person fascinated with history, i will say that while there are some dishonest "archaeologist" charlatans in the past who existed, i dont distrust archaeologists in general. My thing is that most archaeologists rely too much on false carbon dates. Read "Red Earth, White Lies" and you will see what i mean. Its not the archaeologists themselves, but their timelines, that arent trustworthy.👍
2 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.
2 months ago | [YT] | 248