We are taught that all improvements in societal health are causally linked to a corresponding scientific advance. This is the myth of heroic science. It is clear that lifespan has steadily increased due to a decline in infectious disease mortality. However, this has more to do with improve quality of life due to labour and socialist movements than antibiotic and vaccine development. Socialism is capable of improving our material conditions through wealth redistribution and my allowing democratic control of our scientific institutions to make sure we all benefit from our collective genius and creativity.