Giving Data a Soul

I was having a conversation with a family member about science and its role in our lives. Now, science is a synonym for objective truth. When something can be proven scientifically, the thought is we've arrived at ground truth. And what is ground or objective truth? Something that exists independent of any subjective viewpoint. Objective truth is the cold, hard fact. The laws of nature, unyielding and uncompromising.

This is what I wonder, though. I'm not sure we can ever experience the objective. Not really. Everything external to us has to pass through our subjective lens before it hits us. And that lens tells us a story about the data. It paints a picture that shapes our responses and emotions to the world.

Let's take a somewhat controversial idea. Vaccines. Last week I got the flu and Covid vaccinations. Right there, with that one statement, I have now placed myself in a camp. I have made friends and enemies. In some eyes, I am now a embracing science. In other eyes, I am denying it.

So, who is right? And how can we know? I asked ChatGPT what are some common reasons for people to oppose getting vaccinated. Here's what it came up with:

Concerns About Safety and Side Effects – Some people worry about potential side effects, both short-term (e.g., fever, fatigue) and long-term (e.g., autoimmune issues or other speculative concerns).

Distrust in Pharmaceutical Companies – Some believe that vaccine manufacturers prioritize profit over safety and may hide or downplay potential risks.

Mistrust of Government and Public Health Institutions – Skepticism toward government agencies like the CDC or WHO, sometimes fueled by past medical scandals (e.g., Tuskegee syphilis study), leads some to reject public health recommendations.

Belief in Natural Immunity – Some argue that natural infection provides stronger or longer-lasting immunity than vaccines and prefer to take their chances with the disease rather than a vaccine.

Religious or Philosophical Beliefs – Certain religious groups oppose vaccines based on theological reasoning, while some individuals adhere to broader philosophies that reject medical interventions.

Concerns About Ingredients – Some object to vaccine ingredients such as preservatives (e.g., thimerosal in some flu vaccines), adjuvants (e.g., aluminum), or cell lines derived from fetal tissue used in vaccine research.

Association With Autism or Other Disorders – Despite being debunked, some people still believe vaccines (particularly the MMR vaccine) are linked to autism or other developmental disorders.

Belief in Alternative Medicine – Some prefer natural remedies, homeopathy, or holistic medicine over vaccines and believe these methods offer sufficient protection.

Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories – The spread of misinformation online, including claims that vaccines contain microchips or alter DNA, contributes to some people's hesitancy.

Political and Personal Freedom Stances – Some view vaccine mandates as government overreach and oppose vaccination on the basis of personal freedom and bodily autonomy.

And here's what it said as reasons for why people choose to be vaccinated:

Protection Against Serious Illness – Vaccines significantly reduce the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death from infectious diseases like measles, polio, influenza, and COVID-19.

Herd Immunity & Protecting Others – Many choose to vaccinate not only for personal protection but also to help prevent the spread of disease, particularly to vulnerable individuals like infants, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems.

Scientific Evidence & Trust in Medicine – Vaccines are extensively tested for safety and effectiveness, and most people trust the medical consensus that they are a key tool in preventing disease.

Avoiding Long-Term Complications – Some diseases (e.g., measles, HPV, COVID-19) can cause long-term health complications, even in healthy individuals. Vaccines help reduce these risks.

Fulfilling Travel or Work Requirements – Many international destinations require vaccinations (e.g., yellow fever vaccine for certain countries), and some employers mandate vaccines, especially in healthcare or public-facing jobs.

Avoiding Disruptions to Life – Vaccination can help prevent missed work, school, or social activities due to illness and quarantine requirements.

Trust in Public Health & Medical Institutions – Some people get vaccinated because they trust organizations like the CDC, WHO, or their personal healthcare providers to make sound recommendations.

Protecting Pregnant Women & Infants – Some vaccines (e.g., Tdap, flu vaccine) are recommended during pregnancy to protect both the mother and newborn from potentially dangerous infections.

Preventing the Need for Medical Treatment – Many diseases that vaccines protect against have no specific cure (e.g., rabies, polio), making prevention the best approach.

Desire to End Pandemics & Public Health Crises – Widespread vaccination has helped eliminate or drastically reduce diseases like smallpox and polio, and people may see vaccination as a way to contribute to public health efforts.

From my perspective, I would say trust is a large factor when it comes to truth.

First, let's talk about trust in authority. We all have certain authorities we appeal to as valid and others we reject as not. Even when we have case studies and access to raw data, it's impossible to read every study created in every field. So, as a shortcut, we trust people who have devoted their attention to collecting and interpreting the data. We trust that their studies are honest and try to remove bias as much as possible.

But, here's an issue. How do we know that we ourselves aren't reading the experts through a biased lens? Years ago, I was in a training at work and the instructor said humans have a strong tendency to approach a situation with a pre-conceived idea already formed and look for data to corroborate their viewpoint. It's very difficult to remain unbiased and look at the raw numbers, especially when it comes to health and the survival of life. It's especially hard to admit a viewpoint is incorrect and change that view.

How do we overcome our bias and appeal to authority? First, we need to recognize that we have one. We feel with our hearts before we think with our heads. When we have an emotional reaction to a situation, that's a good sign our bias is being triggered. The more detached and objective we are, the less we are swayed by our subjective emotions.

Second, we can learn about the information gathering and analysis process. We can educate ourselves on what makes a good study and what makes a poor one. Again, we need to check our emotions at the door and look at data. At this point, don't think about the ramifications of the data. Just look at the data. Try as hard as you can to put aside the person delivering the data and look at the methodology.

Even with all this, we always need to remember that science isn't perfect. It's always dealing with probabilities. Very little in our world is absolute, save maybe logic and mathematics. Science assumes repeatability and nothing is 100% repeatable. Models are just maps, not the real terrain. Always hold conclusions loosely and allow for the discovery of new information. Models become better with more studies.

So, now you have valid, corroborating data for your position. And yet, people won't listen to your perspective. They're dug in and won't look at your data. What now?

This is where I think the subjective comes in. If you want to change someone's viewpoint, you have to be willing to understand where they're coming from. You have to earn their trust in you as a person first. Our words are never experienced in a vacuum. They are held against the person's backstory.  Understanding involves both the past and the present. We have to listen well and truly feel empathy towards the person. Seek first to understand before being understood.

Be willing to go on a journey of truth-seeking with the person, knowing that you'll learn something along the way, too. This goes for all sciences, whether we're talking about vaccines, weight loss, or overall fitness. Empathy is king. Not knowing something is what makes us human.

I finished watching Battlestar Galactica this weekend. There was a line that stood out to me.

"If there's one thing that we should have learned, it's that... you know, our brains have always outraced our hearts. Our science charges ahead, but our souls lag behind. Let's start anew."

Let's start anew and give data a soul.

Down 3.8 pounds.