In brief, the six principal plays in the denialist playbook are:

  • Doubt the Science
  • Question Scientists’ Motives and Integrity
  • Magnify Disagreements among Scientists and Cite Gadflies as Authorities
  • Exaggerate Potential Harm
  • Appeal to Personal Freedom
  • Reject Whatever Would Repudiate A Key Philosophy

This is a fantastic breakdown of the strategy denialists (anti-vaxxers, climate change deniers, fake news touters, et al) use to undermine facts and science. I feel like this should be formalized and turned into a checklist that media outlets and scientific communities can use to expose exactly how these deniers are operating.