Here in 2025, many of us claim to come to our own conclusions by doing our own research. Here’s why we’re mostly deluding ourselves.
Most of us, in the modern world, make countless decisions in our daily lives without much thought, and for good reason. We don’t have the ability — the time or energy necessary — to devote ourselves to fact-checking every decision that we make. Is the tap water safe to drink, or to shower in, today? We assume that it is without bothering to check. Is your seat belt fastened when you get into the car? If it isn’t, a sensor will alert you, reminding you incessantly to buckle it. Is the air safe to breathe? Is there an extreme weather event that threatens you today? Is your friend who you’re going to go meet about to infect you with a contagious disease?
We assume that these aren’t real worries, and that everything will turn out fine. (And this is okay, in most cases they will.) And yet, the only reason that we can make those assumptions is because somewhere, over long periods of time, responsible adults have done the work necessary to ensure that these mundane, everyday activities aren’t going to pose threats to you.
- The EPA, FDA, and Department of Agriculture have long…
