The usefulness of useless knowledge
Politicians aren’t the best judges of the merits of scientific research
Politicians aren’t the best judges of the merits of scientific research

Public confidence in scientific research is spread unevenly across the population

Manipulation, disinformation and fakery could lead to a knowledge collapse

To decide whether official statistics are useful, look at what happens when they disappear

The creation and dissemination of reliable news is at an economic disadvantage

Users trust it even less than they do mainstream news outlets

New insights into motivation and strength of feeling could help democracy work better