Punk Science: A Proposal of a Method of Resistance to an Increasingly Hostile World

This paper seeks to address the current instability, devaluation, and isolation from its audience of science as it exists in the US at the present moment. Evaluating the pressure being placed on it from powerful individuals and organizations, particularly on the right side of the political spectrum, it argues that the place of science has fallen as a direct, intentional result of hostile agendas that have become mainstream in the past few years. It looks at the harmful effects of the disregarding of scientific findings, and how that might affect the US population across various public health and policy contexts. Considering the root cause behind the present situation within the context of an economic motivation of human behaviour, scientific research is understood as just one option for information amongst many available. In this examination, it asserts that the costs of engagement with science as a primary source outweigh the benefits for much of the general public, particularly in contrast to the omnipresent, easily accessible, targeted media and cultural environment. To address these problems, this paper argues that science can draw from an understanding of the punk ethos, and a set of values broadly associated with it. The initial evaluation of these concepts is done through examination of anecdotes, investigation of punk's close ideological resemblance and history of interaction with science and academia, as well as the commonalities between the opponents of punk and those of science. Furthering this line of inquiry, this paper argues that a science infused with punk values is more fit to compete as a valuable source of information to the average person. This envisioned version of science is more appealing to a broader audience, incorporating a lower barrier to entry, a willingness to challenge the status quo, and a focus on inclusivity that allows for science to advocate for itself more effectively. Angled primarily towards researchers and policy advisors, this paper gives a few basic outlines towards possible methods to implement these ideas across individual practices and collaborative efforts both within and outside of academia. The overall goal of this paper is to envision a way to help essential scientific research thrive as issues of truth, polarization, and disinformation become commonplace.