Truth, Dissent, and the Limits of Viewpoint Diversity | Jesse Singal, Tomas Aragon, Julia Schaletzky

What does truth look like across science, public health, and journalism, and who gets to define it? In this panel, three voices from very different fields examine the relationship between truth, expertise, and institutional responsibility. Julia Schaletzky (UC Berkeley, Molecular Therapeutics Initiative) brings a bench scientist's perspective on academic freedom. Tomás Aragón, former Director of the California Department of Public Health, reflects on navigating truth under political pressure in public institutions. Jesse Singal, journalist and author of The Quick Fix, explores how media and science often fail each other when covering contested topics. Together, they unpack how politics shapes research, why public trust in experts has eroded, and what a more honest intellectual culture might require. Centered on the theme “The Value of Viewpoint Diversity: Why It Matters and How to Practice It Well”, this conference offers actionable insights, fosters rich intellectual exchange, and brings together individuals from across the region who are invested in the future of higher education. The event is co-organized by the HxA Campus Communities in California, Oregon, and Washington. CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction 3:25 Julia Schaletzky: Academic Freedom and Truth 4:29 Tomás Aragón: Public Health Perspective on Truth 9:02 Jesse Singal: Journalistic Freedom and Truth 40:04 The Role of Experts and Trust in Education 40:40 Challenges in Academia and Intellectual Life 42:08 Emotions vs. Objective Reality in Human Experience 44:08 The Influence of Politics on Scientific Research 48:33 Q&A 52:15 Discussion on the Evolution and Definition of Public Health