The Dark Reward of Science: Seeking Truth Sparks a Backlash
Dear Magicians,
Opening yourself up to the world and dialogue with everyone from experts to skeptics is part of the mission I set out for years ago. But lately, I’ve felt the strain of what it means to engage in this digital town square — a space where curiosity and criticism collide.
This week, I was struck by the comments on my video with Katalin Kariko, some of them sharp and accusatory. Most of these came from vaccine skeptics, as I anticipated during the chat. Here’s one that lingered:
“You now reap the dark reward of associating with outright liars. Look at all these people commenting. They hate you, and they hate scientists. It’s either bend the knee to conspiracies, or they all turn against you.”
I won’t lie — it’s hard not to feel the weight of words like these, especially when so much of my work is about engaging in honest inquiry, about making space for challenging ideas without slipping into echo chambers. Another comment asked, “What did you do to cultivate such a mindless audience?” That one stung. But then I remembered a conversation with my friend Max Tegmark, who reminded me of a simple truth: navigating controversy is inseparable from pursuing truth. The most arduous paths demand the most from us. They also lead to the most growth.
I recently spoke to Max Tegmark. Look for the first part of our conversation coming soon. Max is no stranger to controversy or the public limelight. President Barack Obama and Elon Musk have recommended his books. Those two very different personalities highlight his unique position in the intellectual zeitgeist.
Our conversation covered everything in the Multiverse — literally. But we also discussed that “resistance is part of the job” for anyone seeking to understand our place in the cosmos. He’s out there tackling AI, the future of humanity, and navigating the challenges of being a Professor in the 21st century. Each subject attracts its constellation of critics. Yet he keeps pushing forward. Why? Because the alternative — turning away, retreating — is a betrayal of the curiosity that makes science science. And so, each critique, every brutal comment, is part of the same messy, vital discourse that drives us all.
The tension between public opinion and scientific inquiry, between skepticism and trust, is unavoidable in this line of work. But ultimately, it’s a privilege to be here, to engage in a public conversation that matters, even when imperfect. And yes, the path can feel steep and, at times, lonely. But if people care enough to weigh in — no matter how difficult that can be to hear — it means the conversation is alive, that science and the search for truth are thriving.
This week, I’m more committed than ever to seeing these critiques as signs of a shared mission. They’re proof that people care, that they’re listening, and that we’re on the journey of understanding.
Let’s keep the dialogue going. The future of humanity depends on it. And let me know how you handle the haters.
Until next time, have a M.A.G.I.C. Week,
Brian
Appearance
I had a great time at my sister campus, UC Riverside this week. Look for my interview on my Youtube channel soon.
Image from my Instagram
Genius
Another once controversial but now beloved procedure is stem cells . As I discussed in my second video about the human eye, degenerating sight is common but may not have to be the end of the career. The groundbreaking stem cell transplant technique for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) offers a glimmer of hope not only for the general population but especially for aspiring astronomers.
For these future stargazers, whose careers depend heavily on acute visual acuity, the potential to restore or preserve sight could be career-saving, allowing them to continue observing celestial bodies and phenomena with precision. Moreover, this advancement could potentially extend the working lives of established astronomers, enabling them to contribute their expertise and experience to the field for longer periods, ultimately benefiting the entire astronomical community and our understanding of the universe.
Image from NewScientist
Conversation
Are we living in a simulation? Could our universe be just one of many mathematical possibilities? Tune in to this fascinating conversation with Max Tegmark to explore these profound questions.
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Upcoming Episodes
- Stephen Wolfram will be on The INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE Podcast soon — his fourth appearance! As the creator of Mathematica and Wolfram|Alpha, Wolfram has revolutionized computational software and knowledge engines. His groundbreaking book “A New Kind of Science” proposed a radical new approach to understanding the universe through simple computational rules. Wolfram’s latest endeavor, the Wolfram Physics Project, aims to find a fundamental theory of physics using computational methods. What questions do you have for this pioneering scientist and entrepreneur?
