Misattributing Causality

Step back to the late 19th century and explore the Germ Theory revolution that transformed medicine. Discover how Louis Pasteur, Joseph Lister, and Robert Koch debunked old beliefs and established microbial pathogenesis, leading to sanitation reforms, vaccination, and antiseptic surgery.

This groundbreaking theory faced stubborn resistance from 19th-century surgeons unwilling to admit their practices caused deaths, highlighting how ego and self-preservation hindered progress. Shockingly, modern 'germ theory denialism' persists, with public figures dismissing basic hygiene and eroding trust in science, mirroring historical distrust.

We also uncover the dangerous misattribution of the 1918 influenza pandemic to bacteria by scientists like Richard Pfeiffer, leading to ineffective bacterial vaccines. This historical error is now weaponized by public figures to undermine vaccine trust and public health, showcasing the cyclical danger of misattributing causality and the enduring importance of scientific accuracy.