Eric Topol

But if you can use these different types of proof to have a sound view,

discussion, conversation, refutation, whereby you don't summarily dismiss another view, which may be skewed and maybe just absolutely wrong, maybe fabricated, whatever, but that you can engage and say, here's why.

These are my proof points, or this is why there's some extent of certainty you can have regarding this view of the data

I think this is so fundamental because, unfortunately, as we saw during the pandemic, the strident minority, which were the anti-science, anti-vaxxers, they were summarily dismissed as being kooks and adopting conspiracy theories without the right engagement.

and the right debates.

And I think this might have helped along the way, no less the fact that a lot of scientists didn't really want to engage in the first place and adopt this methodical proof that you've advocated in the book, so many different ways to support a hypothesis or an assertion.

Now, we've covered a lot here, Adam.

Have I missed some central parts of the book and the effort?

Because it's really quite extraordinary.

I know it's your third book, but it's certainly a standout.

And it's certainly a standout, not just for your books, but books on this topic.

Yeah, well, look, you've inculcated my mind with this book and I'm proof.

Anytime I think of the word proof, I'm going to be thinking about you.

So thank you.

Thanks for taking the time to have a conversation about your book, your work.

And I know we're going to count on you for the astute mathematics and analyses of outbreaks in the future, which we will see.

Unfortunately, we're seeing now, in fact, already in this country with measles and whatnot.

So thank you, and we'll continue to follow your great work.

And I am thrilled today to have a chance to reconnect with Professor Debbie Svitter, who is a chair of global health at University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

I've had the chance to interview her once before, years back when she had her book, Preventable.