Shapiro's Stupid Science

It's difficult to debunk "stupid person rants" because they package stupid in easy to digest packets. A prime example of this is Ben Shapiro's "The Liberal War on Science", a Townhall.com article that takes truth and translates it into misguiding trash.

The garbage Mr. Shapiro decided to spew in this article is: "Why are liberals so ignorant of science?" Note the stupid person rant's simplification as Shapiro's misleading claims are explained.

Science shows that adolescents simply don’t have the brains to use condoms.

False. Dr. Douglas Kirby, a Senior Research Scientist at ETR Associates, says in Emerging Answers 2007 that 41 percent the studies surveyed on sex-ed programs found increased condom use among an entire sample or among one or more subgroups.

He tries to support his claim with the inaccurate statement: According to virtually all scientific studies concerning adolescent neural mechanisms, teens are biologically incapable of inhibiting risky behavior, citing an explanation of Ronald E. Dahl, MD, Staunton Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh’s Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic - out of context.


If he'd paid attention to the Doctor Dahl, he'd know that Dahl says one must look beyond biology and puberty to understand adolescent behavior. Dahl says, "Adolescence is not simply biological changes or brain changes. We also have to think of it in terms of social context."

Liberals say that we must assume that teenagers are logical, and that they will use discretion -- and condoms -- if told of the risks of unprotected sex.

First of all, notice that Shapiro won't name names. He targets "liberals" to help him set up his straw men. Those who advocate comprehensive sex education do so because it is more effective at delaying sexual initiation and reducing risky sexual behavior than abstinence only education or nothing at all. These programs do not hasten teens first sexual encounter, and they do not increase risky behavior. (Pages 105, 108, 111 of Emerging Answers)

Honestly, is Mr. Shapiro accidentally stupid or purposefully misleading?