The Four Horsemen of the Research Apocalypse

and how to counteract them to foster a healthier inquiry ecosystem

Between 2019 and 2023, Pew found that the percentage of people who distrust scientists doubled from 13% to 27%, while the people who trust scientists “a great deal” fell by a third. Just these past weeks, the National Science Foundation temporarily froze grants as scientific research has become increasingly politicized.

I’ve worked over a decade in research, and I consider it a true vocation. Research is my passion, and I’m deeply grateful that I get to participate in the industry. And yet, the criticisms and concerns that people are voicing about research often seem to be grounded in at least some sense of truth.

Part of why I’ve decided to prioritize this “year of writing” project is because I believe writing helps me clarify my view of the world, which in turn helps me act in addressing its deepest challenges. And with research, I think the loss of trust has been driven by four distinct challenges.

By understanding the rise of each challenge (or “horseman” in alarmist religious metaph…