Five questions for Dr. Rubin, who has a mic and a bowtie

Bullshit is cheap but truth is expensive. Anyone with half a brain cell can post falsehoods that go mega viral, wasting the time and expertise of well-educated people who feel obligated to tell others the truth. Today I want you to meet one of the most educated people, Dr. Zachary Rubin, who works on the front lines against scientific and medical misinformation.

Rubin is a pediatrician and immunologist and the author of this book All About Bodies. They must have found my TikTok feed because I crave the opposite of fake; one of my favorite people doing this job and Rubin’s colleague Dr. Idrees Mughalaka Dr. Idz, who fights the good fight against Wellness grifters and other misfits. You can find Rubin at Instagram, TikTokand YouTube.

Rubin knows how to put on, is often seen with a small mic in hand and always sports a signature bowtie. His speech exudes authority without being overbearing, which is one of the reasons I think he’s a good scientist.

Rubin has a career in medicine, but I asked him five questions about his other mission: helping rid the world of junk science and making the rest of us better informed.

The journey to becoming a doctor is long and difficult. Before we get into your online business, please tell me why you started down this path.

I have always been interested in how the human body works. Medicine appealed to me because it combines science, problem solving, and the opportunity to help people at a critical time in their lives. I was lucky enough to see these moments when I was young because my father is a pediatrician. Immunity and immunity were very compelling because the immune system affects almost every aspect of health, and many of the things I treat can make a big difference when patients receive the right treatment and support. Becoming a doctor has been very difficult, but it is one of the most rewarding decisions I have ever made.

You are well versed in science and medicine. (Your signature bowtie is awesome, by the way.) Your videos show a rare talent the world needs, especially since we’re obsessed with fake news. You would have remained silent in your dealings with your patients. Why do you go through the mud on the internet?

I realized that fake news doesn’t live on the internet; it goes into my exam room every day. Patients should get clear, evidence-based information before they need to see a doctor. Social media allows me to reach millions of people with the conversations I have in the clinic every day. My goal is not to tell people what to think. It’s about helping them think critically about health care, understand what the evidence shows, and have the power to ask good questions.

What is the first thing you would like people to understand about science and/or medicine?

That uncertainty is not a weakness, it is one of science’s greatest strengths. Science is not a set of fixed facts. It is a way to get closer to the truth. Good scientists are willing to change their opinions when good evidence comes out. Unfortunately, this may seem counterintuitive to people, which is how progress is made. Reliability must be proportional to the quality of the evidence.

What do you like about dealing with fake news on the Internet, and what is the most difficult?

The most rewarding thing is hearing someone say, “I changed my mind.” That’s rare these days, and it reminds me that polite conversation can still help.

The problem is that misinformation spreads faster than nuance. A bold but wrong statement can spread in minutes, while presenting evidence takes a long time. Add in algorithms that reward anger, and it becomes an uphill battle, but that’s why more doctors and scientists need to be part of the conversation.

America is turning 250 years old. This country has been behind a lot of science and medicine. What are we doing wrong, and what can we do better?

The United States has a remarkable record of scientific achievement because we have conducted research, fostered the arts, and welcomed people of diverse minds and expertise. I believe we will continue to appreciate that power.

One area that we can improve is the reading and writing of science. We need to spend more time educating people Why? test evidence, not just what to memorize. At the same time, scientists and doctors need to be good communicators. If we don’t define our mission clearly and concisely, someone else will fill the void. Faith isn’t built by having all the answers, it’s built by being honest about what we know, what we don’t know, and how we’re doing to find out.