Explore the inner workings of the scientific system in this comprehensive conference talk. Gain a beginner-friendly understanding of how scientists work, funding structures, career paths, and the scientific method. Delve into topics such as scientific uncertainty, paper publishing, and addressing issues like bias and lack of diversity in science. Learn how to critically assess communication from researchers, institutions, and PR companies, improving your scientific literacy. Discover the importance of understanding the research process to better interpret scientific results. Examine current challenges in academia, including the reproducibility crisis, science funding models, and job stability. Develop skills to detect false information and fine-tune your critical thinking abilities in the face of scientific claims.