The Man Who Studies the Spread of Ignorance

By Georgina Kenyon
BBC.com
6 January 2016

Here is an excerpt:

“We live in a world of radical ignorance, and the marvel is that any kind of truth cuts through the noise,” says Proctor. Even though knowledge is ‘accessible’, it does not mean it is accessed, he warns.

“Although for most things this is trivial – like, for example, the boiling point of mercury – but for bigger questions of political and philosophical import, the knowledge people have often comes from faith or tradition, or propaganda, more than anywhere else.”

Proctor found that ignorance spreads when firstly, many people do not understand a concept or fact and secondly, when special interest groups – like a commercial firm or a political group – then work hard to create confusion about an issue. In the case of ignorance about tobacco and climate change, a scientifically illiterate society will probably be more susceptible to the tactics used by those wishing to confuse and cloud the truth.

Consider climate change as an example. “The fight is not just over the existence of climate change, it’s over whether God has created the Earth for us to exploit, whether government has the right to regulate industry, whether environmentalists should be empowered, and so on. It’s not just about the facts, it’s about what is imagined to flow from and into such facts,” says Proctor.

The article is here.

Geisinger no longer to hire job applicants who use tobacco products

CONTACT: Marcy Marshall: 570-271-8081
Dec. 28, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DANVILLE, Pa. – Starting Feb. 1, 2012, Geisinger will no longer hire job applicants who use tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, and chewing or smokeless tobacco.

“Geisinger is joining dozens of hospitals and medical organizations across the country that are encouraging healthier living, decreasing absenteeism and reducing health care costs by adopting strict policies that make smoking a reason to turn away job applicants,” said Richard Merkle, chief human resources officer, Geisinger Health System. “Non-nicotine hiring policies are legal in 20 states, including Pennsylvania.”

This policy also affects any applicants receiving offer letters as of Feb. 1. During the hiring process, all applicants – including those seeking full- and part-time positions, flex, volunteers, and students enrolled in Geisinger-based schools – will be tested for nicotine as part of the routine drug screening.

The test will include screening for cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, nicotine patches, nicotine gum and cigars. The test only detects active nicotine users, not those exposed to second-hand smoke.

“Applicants who test positive for nicotine use will be welcome to re-apply in six months provided they are nicotine free at that time,” Merkle said. “A listing of smoking cessation resources will be provided to any applicant who tests positive for nicotine.”

Current employees are not affected by this new policy, but are encouraged to take advantage of the tobacco cessation programs offered through Geisinger’s Employee Wellness program.

Geisinger currently has a no-tobacco-use policy that extends across all of its properties.

About Geisinger Health System

Geisinger is an integrated health services organization widely recognized for its innovative use of the electronic health record, and the development and implementation of innovative care models including ProvenHealth Navigator, an advanced medical home model, and ProvenCare program. The system serves more than 2.6 million residents throughout 44 counties in central and northeastern Pennsylvania.