I'm fascinated by conversations around epistemologies. Having a background in science I was taught (indoctrinated?) into believe the scientific method was the be all, end all. But working with humans has taught me so much about how we weaponise science to undermine people's lived experience in their bodies. It's tricky because I also know how damaging misinformation can be (especially in the nutrition space). I think it's essential health professionals de-expert themselves and make space for what the other human knows to be true in their bodies, and only share information with consent. Funnily enough I read both of the pieces you linked to here (and bough the book from the first one) and had an instinct that there was something off but couldn't articulate why until I read this so thank you. I wonder if you've read These Wilds Beyond Our Fences by Bayo Akomolafe - he talks about ways of knowing in the context of colonialism, climate colapse and parenting in a way that really challenged my thinking.
Thank you for this thoughtful comment Laura! It's really impressive when people like yourself honor all the ways of knowing in their work. But totally, finding the line between misinformation and "trusting your instincts" is tough. I think of it like tools in the toolbox. The conspiracy theory folk are only using one tool, while the hard-line peer review folk another. The work is finding the right set of tools for the problem or question your'e facing
Loved this issue. Exactly what I need on this fine October morning ❤️
I'm fascinated by conversations around epistemologies. Having a background in science I was taught (indoctrinated?) into believe the scientific method was the be all, end all. But working with humans has taught me so much about how we weaponise science to undermine people's lived experience in their bodies. It's tricky because I also know how damaging misinformation can be (especially in the nutrition space). I think it's essential health professionals de-expert themselves and make space for what the other human knows to be true in their bodies, and only share information with consent. Funnily enough I read both of the pieces you linked to here (and bough the book from the first one) and had an instinct that there was something off but couldn't articulate why until I read this so thank you. I wonder if you've read These Wilds Beyond Our Fences by Bayo Akomolafe - he talks about ways of knowing in the context of colonialism, climate colapse and parenting in a way that really challenged my thinking.
Thank you for this thoughtful comment Laura! It's really impressive when people like yourself honor all the ways of knowing in their work. But totally, finding the line between misinformation and "trusting your instincts" is tough. I think of it like tools in the toolbox. The conspiracy theory folk are only using one tool, while the hard-line peer review folk another. The work is finding the right set of tools for the problem or question your'e facing
Love this framing!