The desire to be the first to discover something and the professional rewards that come with it can lead to biases in scientific research and influence the kind of science that gets done. Financial and other motivations should always be taken into account when evaluating scientific studies.
During the Renaissance, science evolved from an activity for the interested aristocracy to a more systematic approach, leading to the development of procedures and rules. This change brought about some tension as new scientists emerged and encroached on others' established areas of study.
Discoveries that have been awarded over the years have been described as 'shocking', rather than just obvious. It has been discovered that 80% of health in old age is based on how one lives their life, and turning on longevity genes from an earlier age can result in a longer and healthier life.
Enrico Fermi's theory about the possibility of intelligent life in the universe and the difficulty in proving its existence or non-existence in present day.
The allure of pointing out the truth when everyone else is deluded plays a role in the appeal of conspiracy theories. However, for a conspiracy theory to truly exist, there needs to be a large number of people working together and being dishonest, making it more complex than just believing in an alternative explanation.
The speaker discusses the tendency for scientists to believe they are wholly objective and empirical, and the importance of recognizing and overcoming bias in scientific research.