Better Scientific Modeling for Ecological and Social Justice

Explore the critical intersection of scientific modeling, ecological sustainability, and social justice in this thought-provoking 40-minute talk by David Krakauer, President of the Santa Fe Institute. Delve into how mathematical models of the world, while powerful tools, often encode blind spots that can lead to unintended consequences and structural inequalities. Examine the importance of rigorous empiricism and comprehensive descriptions of complex systems for achieving both ecological and social justice. Learn about the SFI Transmission series essays, which highlight crucial under-examined aspects of scientific modeling. Gain insights into how better scientific practices can enable more equitable and sustainable outcomes across various fields, including physics, economics, and epidemiology. Discover the connections between seemingly disparate concepts such as microscopic pathogens, social network structures, and urban development, and their impacts on systemic inequalities. Reflect on the responsibility of researchers to create more inclusive and holistic models that capture the full complexity of our world.