What if Everything You Know is Wrong: Bob McDonald at TEDxVictoria 2013

Bob McDonald
One of Canada's favourite science journalists, Bob McDonald has been the dynamic host of Quirks & Quarks since 1992. The regular science commentator on CBC News Network, Bob is also the science correspondent for CBC TV's The National. Before joining Quirks & Quarks, Bob was the host of CBC Television's children's science program Wonderstruck. He has also managed to find time to be the author of two books based on the program, Wonderstruck I and Wonderstruck II.

Twitter: @CBCQuirks

TEDxVictoria
Twitter: @TEDxVictoria

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[Landrew]

Bob makes a very good point about attitudes in science. When scientists stop respecting each others' opinions, it stops being science. When we start to believe that other viewpoints represent some sort of "enemy" it becomes politics, not science. The truth is not decided by consensus; you don't "vote" for what is a fact or not. The scientific method is the best tool we have weighing evidence, but that's not being done when someone is playing politics.

Science is about letting the evidence form our opinions. Politics is the art of changing people's minds. The two have nothing in common.

[HectorGanzon]

"True wisdom is in knowing that you know nothing" - Socrates

[SamSung-jqho]

Humans: "We are the first species to actually change the chemistry of the atmosphere"

Cyanobacteria: Hold my chlorophyll.

[littlemrpinkness]

The more I know, the greater is my understanding that I know so very little.

Every time I learn one thing, the amount of things I don't know increases exponentially.

I hate that it does that, and I love that it does that.

[charlesbrowne]

I think I’m right about everything. If I thought I was wrong, I’d change my mind and then l’d be right. Of course, everything I know is wrong, because language only approximates thoughts, and thoughts only approximate reality. At least I’m right about that.

[pricepatrick]

Still waiting for the "Everything" wrong part? How about a talk about our entire existence of how we have been lied to about everything, finance, science, engineering, medical, religion, energy, gravity,

[Jefferdaughter]

Scientists, even more than the rest of us, should remain open to the possibility that everything they think they know could be wrong.

[abloke]

The more i listen to this guy, the more i realise that we are very likely to find out the answer to this; the hard way.
Science is never settled.

[DudesonDavid]

Why did he say at 7:32 that we can´t do that today? Why we can´t take pictures from space far enough? Why we could before?

[irockluculent]

Thank you! This is where I live: optimism based on human potential in the face of daunting global problems, mostly of our own making. We have to step up, it's what we are here to do, I believe. There is no Planet B.

[sattyre]

What an amazing science host. He extremely good at dumming down scientific talk so the common guy can understand it. It certainly shows that he has a pretty high level of science understanding on his own. And he has a great sense of humor. Thanks Bob.

[terrirobertson]

A big problem we need to overcome is the selfishness that people feel comfortable with now. With unity comes our salvation

[HeatherSpoonheim]

I used to know everything - literally EVERYTHING...when I was 17 years old. I wish I would have written it all down so we could understand all these things that science still doesn't know, but I was too distracted by fun stuff and since then I've known less and less and now I barely know anything. Sorry for letting you all down.

[MrDamon]

I love how people with an agenda can go from “ we do not know so much” to “ this is definite and there could be no debate about it “

[grantperkins]

He's in a conundrum:
He admits that just about everything we used to know is wrong, yet he's so sure he's right :D

[praiselifeworshiplifeca]

I've had a couple teachers in my life like this one and I feel like I learned the most from them .some people are meant to be teachers other people are meant to be good students.

[danielepini]

Hands down the best TED talk I've seen in a while, probably ever.
Old dude there is definitely the kind of crazy I aspire to be, which is not even crazy as in pure madness, it's enlightment.

[anitahyche]

I thought the first species to change atmosphere were the single called organisms in oceans which made oxygen.

[edwinthomasr]

"We are the first species to actually change the chemistry of our atmosphere"

I think some cyanobacteria would like a word with you sir....

[vacation_generation]

A very well put forward and sensible point of view. Here here.