Françoise Combes: Why scientific ignorance fuels a rejection of reality

The rise of fringe beliefs, such as the Flat Earth theory, represents a fundamental rejection of scientific methodology rather than a lack of information. Combes suggests that these movements are less about evidence and more about community identity, where individuals define themselves in opposition to institutional knowledge. While quantum mechanics and dark matter may seem like science fiction, they are simply placeholders for gaps in human understanding that researchers are actively working to bridge through multi-messenger astronomy.

Despite the fascination these topics hold, Combes admits a potential disconnect between academia and the public. Daily struggles like climate change and economic stability dominate the public consciousness, making abstract cosmic discoveries feel secondary. However, she stresses that the technological dividends of space exploration—from climate-monitoring satellites to global telecommunications—are essential. While she remains skeptical of the feasibility of human colonization on Mars, she maintains that the pursuit of such goals drives the innovation necessary to address challenges here on Earth, noting that the vast majority of space spending is directed toward practical planetary monitoring rather than pure research.