Science Communicator Rocío Vidal to Address Rise of Pseudoscience at Tecnológica Santa Cruz

We live in a digital paradox: while we have more access to scientific and technical knowledge than ever before, our ability to tell fact from fiction has never been weaker. In a recent interview with Diario de Avisos, science communicator Rocío Vidal—widely known online as "La Gata de Schrödinger"—warns that this information overload has fueled the rise of pseudoscience. She will discuss this issue at the upcoming Tecnológica Santa Cruz event.

Vidal argues that the popularity of conspiracy theories isn't due to a lack of information, but rather how social media algorithms are built. These platforms prioritize emotional reactions and confirmation bias over accuracy. By rewarding sensational, viral content, the system pushes aside nuanced facts in favor of simple, identity-driven narratives.

With over 900,000 YouTube subscribers, Vidal believes the real challenge for science is not its complexity, but the gap in how it is communicated to the public. She advocates for "translating" academic research into accessible formats—sometimes even using irony as a teaching tool—without losing scientific precision. However, she notes that this transparency comes at a personal cost, as communicators often face polarization and unchecked hate speech online.

This discussion on the state of our digital world will take place during the 15th edition of Tecnológica Santa Cruz, held from May 14 to 17. Carmen Pérez, CEO of the Society for Development, confirmed the event will be hosted at the Museum of Nature and Archaeology and TEA Tenerife. Registration is now open on the official website. The event aims to bring together educators, small business owners, and content creators to help foster the critical thinking skills that Generation Z needs to navigate today’s noisy information landscape.