My job (which is essentially fringe-stuff reporter) was in the “light and fluffy” category in a lot of people’s minds four years ago. I knew it wasn’t, but that’s beside the point. Now it’s blindingly clear how critical thinking in reporting, including fringe science, is crucial.

With this in mind, I had to face a weird and difficult conundrum recently: go to an event that would almost certainly expose me to COVID-19, in order to report on it honestly, or don’t go, knowing a skeptical eye wouldn’t be there.

I didn’t go.

That thing continues to be happening, and I continue to try to find the best way to shed light on it, which is why I’m being cagey about what it is. But people who go looking for This Thing will find only comments by people who praise it. Two things I think are worth noting:

(1) I had a pretty damn good reason to go anyway, and I didn’t. If I didn’t, you needn’t. Unless you are considered essential services, don’t risk adding yourself to the number of vectors.

(2) I don’t believe in no-platforming &never have. In this connected world, everyone’s got a platform. It’s about engaging Bad Ideas with compassion and relentless critical thought. In this moment, that loss is worth it, but remember: when no one critically reports, it IS a loss.

Ignoring bad thinking doesn’t make it go away. Like a virus, it grows unless opposed.

Being brave in the face of bad ideas takes a lot more than stomping away. It often means staying for the fight.

I’ll keep trying to cover this thing if you keep trying to cover your mouth.