The film “Merchants of Doubt” will be shown Monday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. in Ice Auditorium in Melrose Hall at Linfield College.
Inspired by the acclaimed book by Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway, “Merchants of Doubt” examines how pundits, scientists, government and media shape public policy and perceptions regarding climate change and other issues. The film especially reveals how pundits-for-hire use unethical tactics to direct key issues of health and safety in their clients’ favor.
Filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the curtain on these “experts,” who present themselves in the media as scientific authorities, yet have the ulterior motive of spreading confusion about public threats ranging from toxic chemicals to pharmaceuticals to climate change. For example, these so-called experts have denied studies linking smoking to lung cancer and connecting coal smoke to acid rain. “Merchants of Doubt” explains how citizens can think critically about these claims and judge their credibility.
More information about this film is available at www.takepart.com/merchantsofdoubt.
The screening is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by PLACE (Program for Liberal Arts and Community Engagement), exploring this year’s theme “Air, Water, Earth, and Fire: The Ancient Elements on a Changing Planet.” For more information, contact Susan Currie Sivek, ssivek@linfield.edu, 503-883-2521.
