I imagine there’s not many of us who haven’t felt a good dose of gratitude for the fact that we grow up in an age of enlightenment where science and medicine make a massive difference — not only to our lives, but our wellbeing and our life expectancy.  

And alongside that feeling of gratitude, I suspect is a certain smugness that “aren't we all so clever” when, in fact, maybe the truth is that some people are really clever and aren’t we lucky that they lived in an age where they could invent and develop technology and science in ways that improve our lives immeasurably   

This is not an opinion that luddites will embrace... 

But just look at the innovations we have seen over the past century or two – advances in medicine, information technology, energy, transport, science and our understanding of the universe we live in   

Of course, alongside with the advances which benefit us is technology that can threaten our existence such as nuclear arms and modern weaponry 

But all in all, for those of us lucky enough to live in a vaguely civilised democracy, I think we’ve got it pretty good. Ever since the scientific revolution and the Age of Enlightenment, we have seen massive advancements in science and technology.   

But, if there’s something I’m probably worried about it’s this – despite all that is at our fingertips - we are now in an age — not of enlightenment — but a perhaps a great Dimming - where so much information is available courtesy of the internet that you can find any pseudoscience or argument to support your own reckons. Often, people start off with an idea that their intuition tells them must be right. Then, instead of testing that idea, they think, “Let’s go and find the evidence that fits or confirms what I want to believe.”   

Yesterday there was a story in the Guardian about a doctor saying that constantly battling, seeing patients who have chosen not to take medication on the advice of online wellness influencers on TikTok. We saw it in the news here just days ago where TikTok influencers are telling people to go and get tanned when the UV level is at its highest – advice that is not only utterly wrong, but dangerous, reckless and ignorant. It is advice that panders to and exploits the ignorance of large parts of society who get their news and information from social media and clearly don't know any better.   

So, it’s ironic — and perhaps a little depressing — that despite all the knowledge and advancements available to us, there is an increasing distrust of that science. Science that previous generations were grateful for, as they battled what are now easily treatable or preventable diseases and afflictions.   

Because of increasing ignorance and distrust, I wonder if the era that we are heading into – instead of being one of enlightenment – is going to be an era known as The Great Dimming. An era with increasingly larger enclaves of people preferring to resort to quackery and superstition and the influencers of TikTok rather than seizing upon the incredible advancements and scientific knowledge our ancestors could only dream of. If only we would stop viewing science with such contempt.   

So, if there’s one thing, I’m worried about it’s this era of wilful ignorance. We see it with the re-emergence of diseases which should never see the light of day in modern times. Diseases which can so easily be prevented through vaccination or following sensible advice on diet, alcohol consumption, sun exposure, smoking, and early detection.  So please, if you hear someone spouting nonsense or dishing or medical advice from something they have seen on TikTok or elsewhere - at the very least a gentle encouragement in another direction might do them and all — and us — a favour. 

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