The carnivore diet—an eating pattern that’s restricted to only animal products—is a fringe trend that rose to popularity on social media in 2020. It has been regarded as scientific misinformation by doctors and the mainstream medical establishment, despite carnivores’ enthusiastic claims of the diet’s miraculous therapeutic qualities. I argue that the carnivore diet can be seen as a microcosm of a larger political moment, where Americans are losing trust in scientific establishments, and political polarization is increasing. Based on the provocation from the field of critical nutrition studies to ask of dietary guidance “what else is going on here?” this project resocializes this dietary trend into the current political moment, where the public is losing trust in science, suggesting that scientific controversy is reflective of politics and society, and vice versa.
This paper additionally suggests that audio documentary is specifically suited to address controversies in health and science and facilitate cross-ideological conversation. I argue that this form of media can facilitate good science communication, as it makes clear the social context of scientific facts and it brings audiences closer to science through a two-way flow of information. Enhancing science communication has the potential to reduce political polarization, encourage context-wise decision making about health, and spur scientific innovation.
