RETHINKING CONSERVATION PALEOBIOLOGY'S IMPACT

A recent literature review indicated that only about 10% of research efforts in conservation paleobiology over the past decade led to tangible conservation impacts. By this measure, a sizable “gap” exists in the field between science and practice. An unintended side effect of framing the current societal impact of conservation paleobiology as a gap is increased anxiety in researchers who aspire to use their research to inform conservation practice, disempowering some from getting involved. Here, drawing inspiration from Hans Rosling’s factfulness concept, I argue that “dramatic instincts” (our brain’s in-built biases)―from the tendency of dividing the world into distinct (often opposing) groups to believing that things will continue as they have before―exaggerate the situation and distort perceptions of progress in the field. These biases lead us to think things are worse than they really are.