7/15/ · yet bad science, strawman arguments, cherry-picking facts, and ad hominem attacks on scientists, media, others But the problems in the book go much deeper. The author wanders from topic to topic, jumping from personal anecdote to polemical arguments to data and numbers carefully chosen to support his views, making it difficult for the reader to follow his blogger.comted Reading Time: 7 mins 6/9/ · His hugely influential ‘Bad Science’ column ran in the Guardian from to His first book, Bad Science, reached Number One in the bestseller charts, selling over half a million copies, and has been translated into twenty-five languages. His second, Bad Pharma, triggered two parliamentary committees and a global campaign to stop drug 11/2/ · “Bad Science” by Ben Goldacre skewers quack health claims and other deliberate deceptions perpetrated in the name of blogger.comted Reading Time: 5 mins
Book Review: Bad Science – Musings of a Wandering Mind
Have you ever wondered how alternative medicine and homeopathy work? Have you unwittingly or willingly subscribed to trendy notions about diet, health and pills? In this seminal book, physician and science writer Ben Goldacre uncovers some of the flaws in science and medicine that have led to widespread misconceptions.
From the techniques employed by advertisers and the media, he shows how little veracious scientific evidence there is to be found in their seemingly bodacious claims. Delving into the scientific method in an engaging and simplified manner, he caters this book to the general reader, who can easily follow the logical deductions and simple science, bad science book review. It is sickening, but not wholly unexpected, bad science book review, to think that so many people can be driven by profit and attention to market questionable products, bad science book review.
While some may defend themselves by saying that their claims are not entirely dishonest, I find it unacceptable that they would use such skewed conclusions to influence public opinion. Arguably, science is never free from judgement, bad science book review, bias and subjectivity. Researchers themselves are often prone to experimental bias that leads them to favour positive results over negative ones, as Goldacre explains in a part of the book, bad science book review.
Yet, there are also ways to mitigate such effects, such as by doing systematic reviews of a large number of related studies, or to choose sources of authority with the most well-designed experiments to eliminate unnecessary false positives or false negatives. The problem with the way certain companies or individuals are using science is that they glorify scientific evidence and selectively utilise research findings, rephrasing them in ways that support their agenda.
While we all tend bad science book review do this in some way, I think that taking it to extremes is bordering on immorality, especially when you consider how these published opinions can affect millions of people in this information age. With regards to matters of health and medicine, the allure is especially tantalising, given that public concern over this topic is burgeoning.
Unfortunately, profit-driven pseudo-scientists are capitalising on this demand to promote products that have no proven or significant benefit. The fact that such ideas have proliferated shows how vulnerable bad science book review public can be to exploitation. Such falsification and manipulation for personal gains is unseemly. Dishing out dietary and health advice on television seems to be an extremely profitable enterprise whose main goal is to attract attention and money, rather than to operate in the best interests of public education.
I agree that the press ought to be more prudent with what they publish as they have become the arbiters of truth in this era, where people get much of their information from mainstream media instead of directly reading arcane scientific research. At the same time, though, rather than being infuriated by the people behind such manipulation of information, I found myself reflecting on the importance of education.
The most valuable insight I gained from this book is the need to be a critical reader or viewer. As receivers of vast volumes of information, we need to equip ourselves with the tools and techniques to tell fact from fiction. Even with more stringent regulation, falsehoods purporting to be facts will continue to sprout and spread. The best way to defend ourselves is to distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources of information, such that we will not fall prey to health scares and advertising campaigns.
I believe that it is important to be aware of such campaigning tactics and to not be fooled by spurious claims in the media, bad science book review.
In this day and age, everyone is clamouring for attention in increasingly competitive and overcrowded bad science book review. Some have used science in legitimate ways, while others are downright absurd. Therefore, it is instrumental for us to be informed consumers, which is why I would recommend this book to anyone, bad science book review, especially those with an interest in how science and media interact, and how our personal choices are falling victim to such interactions.
My personal verdict is that you do not have to read the book word-for-word, bad science book review, you can skim through some parts and distil the main points. There is also a certain bad science book review to be derived from the way Goldacre roasts the people he is critical of, as well as some sardonic hints and humorous examples to prove his points. Medical student at the University of Oxford Passionate about living life to the fullest, bad science book review, gaining knowledge and experience, as well as travel and adventure Aspiring to inspire.
Title: The Power of Bad science book review Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business Author Title: The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment Author: Eckhart Tolle. Home Medical School Year 1 Applying for Medicine Application Decisions and Planning Books and Online Resources Work Experience and Volunteering Personal Statement Free Personal Statement Review BMAT BMAT Notes Interviews Medical Ethics Oxford Medicine Local Medicine Bad science book review Education Studying and Productivity University Applications A Levels My Study Habits Resources BMAT Notes A Level Flashcards A Level Notes More Reading Book Reviews Reading Lists Medicine-Related Books Health News Life Mental Health Thoughts About Start Here About Me The Dream Fund Contact.
Book Reviews Non-Fiction on August 30, Views 0 Likes 0 Comments by ZQ Share twitter facebook instagramm pinterest. Advertising Bad Science Ben Goldacre Book Review Diet Experiments Health Information Journalists Media Medicine news Nutrition Public Education reading Research Science Scientific Research.
Post navigation Previous article Previous article How to Make Your University Application Stand Out. Next article Next article Why Oxford? About me ZQ Medical student at the University of Oxford Passionate about living life to the fullest, bad science book review, gaining knowledge and experience, as well as travel and adventure Aspiring to inspire.
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro Book Review Title: The Remains of the Day Author: Kazuo Ishiguro Read more. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg Book Review Title: The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business Author Read more.
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle Book Review Title: The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment Author: Eckhart Tolle Read more. Leave a Reply Cancel reply.
Bad Science by Ben Goldacre - Stuff You Like
, time: 5:41Bad Science by Ben Goldacre
10/7/ · Generous review of my book in the Daily Telegraph. There’s a very nice review of my book “ Bad Science ” in the Telegraph this week. I have to say I’m delighted to see that the two newspapers I’ve probably been meanest about over recent years are the two that have reviewed it so far. This betrays a genuinely wholesome grown up approach to life 3/1/ · As a young woman this book has empowered me to remain impartial to the bewildering array of quick fixes advertised by the cosmetic industry. As a young doctor the book has reinforced my distrust of drug reps. It has given me refreshed confidence to challenge their claims, and Author: Danielle Peet 8/30/ · Summary, thoughts and reflections on Ben Goldacre’s bestselling book Bad Science, in which he refutes some of the claims by renowned nutritionists, homeopaths and science correspondents, showing us the importance of applying science blogger.comted Reading Time: 5 mins
No comments:
Post a Comment