Many scientists treat the anti-vaccine movement as a collection of lepers—a group of malcontents to be ignored and ostracized in hopes of weakening their influence on the public’s understanding of science. Anonymous vaccine advocate The Real Truther takes a different approach. Described by his critics as a “debate bro,” Truther hosts a bi-weekly space on X that features doctors and other experts sparring with activists over the safety and efficacy of vaccines. Rather than isolate these controversial voices, the point is to expose the flaws in their thinking in front of a large, and often skeptical, audience. Everyone from journalist Alex Berenson, a vocal critic of the COVID shots, to the now-infamous anti-vaxxer Steve Kirsch has appeared on the space.
Although Truther’s approach has drawn criticism from some researchers who say he legitimizes the anti-vaccine movement, one thing can’t be denied about his strategy—it works. Curious listeners often stumble into his spaces with legitimate questions and concerns about vaccines, but it’s not uncommon for them to walk away with changed minds. While that outcome may surprise some science communicators, it shouldn’t. News stories published during the pandemic and research predating COVID showed that quite a few vaccine “deniers” could be convinced that vaccination was a smart choice; all they needed was someone to explain the science clearly and address their fears respectfully. Building trust is the way forward for vaccine advocates, in other words.
Ultimately, the key to communications approach isn’t winning an argument, but understanding the facts and reaching the right conclusion, which is harder to do when we isolate ourselves from different perspectives. “For me, it would just get kind of boring to lecture people or have a space where everyone agrees with each other,” Truther adds. “I actually want to understand why people disagree with me, understand arguments people have that are different from mine. To me, that brings us closer to the truth.”
Join Dr. Liza Lockwood, Cam English and Real Truther on this episode of Facts and Fallacies as they discuss the best way to combat vaccine skepticism.
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The Real Truther hosts The Real Truther Show every Tuesday and Thursday on X. Follow him @thereal_truther.
Dr. Liza Lockwood is a medical toxicologist and the medical affairs lead at Bayer Crop Science. Follow her on X @DrLizaMD
Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Council on Science and Health. Follow him on X @camjenglish
