Merchants of Doubt

The documentary describes an industry built not on disproving a scientific finding but on manufacturing doubt about it. The method tobacco companies used to delay the cancer link for years was later applied to asbestos, lead, flame retardants and climate change. Robert Kenner directed, from the book by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway. The frame is built around a stage magician: he performs card tricks while explaining the technique, and the film uses that directly as metaphor. Its most effective sections show that people who appeared on television as experts for years were not experts in anything; some admit it on camera. The story treats the climate argument as a commercial rather than scientific matter: the aim is not to convince but to delay a decision. The film was attacked hard by the industry. Who it is for: viewers interested in the relationship between media and lobbying. Who it is not for: anyone expecting balanced presentation; the film takes a side openly.