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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this - it was mostly pretty accessible (though sometimes I felt myself zoning out a little) and Ben Goldacre is funny, if quite intense and bordering on a big smug at points (sorry, Ben).
Even though it definitely shows its age, the principles still stand - it's just the examples that feel dated now. I am curious to look up what he's written about more recently.
I did think the humanities / science divide was oversimplified. His argument all the way through is that by reading this book, you'll be able to spot the media inaccuracies - but makes some sweeping statements that somewhat insinuate that people with humanities degrees are incapable of understanding science.
I also wasn't sure it has the snappiest structure, it did feel like it darted back and forth a lot. I think an abridged version would perhaps be cool - less in-depth on specific issues (and skip the dated examples) but give a really accessible look at some of the most pressing examples of 'bad science' or 'bad science' communication.
Even though it definitely shows its age, the principles still stand - it's just the examples that feel dated now. I am curious to look up what he's written about more recently.
I did think the humanities / science divide was oversimplified. His argument all the way through is that by reading this book, you'll be able to spot the media inaccuracies - but makes some sweeping statements that somewhat insinuate that people with humanities degrees are incapable of understanding science.
I also wasn't sure it has the snappiest structure, it did feel like it darted back and forth a lot. I think an abridged version would perhaps be cool - less in-depth on specific issues (and skip the dated examples) but give a really accessible look at some of the most pressing examples of 'bad science' or 'bad science' communication.
informative
lighthearted
It’s a good book, but the constant dismissing and smearing of humanities graduates (I.e the media is full of humanities graduates who are stupid and don’t get science and that’s why the media is terrible at reporting science) was a bit frustrating. I get the point, and I get it’s a simplified version of the truth, but still. Could have been worded a bit better and not made into a humanities/science dichotomy where all doctors are right (which the book shows is clearly not true) vs all humanity graduates being stupid (not true either).
Nevertheless, this is a really good book, especially if you don’t have a background in this sort of thing. It’s clearly written, easy to understand and very interesting and engaging. But also depressing.
Nevertheless, this is a really good book, especially if you don’t have a background in this sort of thing. It’s clearly written, easy to understand and very interesting and engaging. But also depressing.
Not much new for a person who's followed an amount of pop science, but still, not a bad read. I learned a few new things about science statistics.
I gave up the first time I tried to read this. I found it frustrating that this author, who presumably wants the reader to take his work seriously, used words and phrases such as "nonsense", "rubbish", and "big shiny science machine". I wasn't able to get past the silliness of the writing. Upon second attempt, I committed to overlooking the "nonsense" because I felt the author might have an important message to relay. Many of the topics of discussion weren't new to me, but I appreciate Goldacre's research and analysis of some of the alternative therapy claims that I have found troubling. He was preaching to the converted. This is an important book to read for anyone choosing to partake in alternative therapies.
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
The best quote... 'If I had a t-shirt slogan for this whole book, it would "be: "I think you'll find it's a bit more complicated than that."'
informative
funny
informative
Ive been wanting to read this one for a while as I’ve heard it was a great book, it didn’t disappoint! Knowing there’s so much ‘bad science’ and misinformation around, it went a long way to dispel myths and point out bad science and breakdowns in the scientific process.
It certainly does help you to spot and understand any less than optimal ‘science’ around! With reportings and science in the media, business and consumer backed ‘science’ (with the all too common bad statistics to go with it)
And covering topics from ‘detoxing’ (and why it’s all bogus), cosmetics and the ‘miracle creams’, the effect of placebo in trials and how it may affect the outcome of analyses and results, so called ‘experts’ in scientific fields and the problems in mainstream medicine to name a few.
It also went into many examples of bad science including named studies and why their techniques or methods were flawed or less than optimal.
It’s written extremely well and incredibly funny, striking the balance between being both light and understandable and laced with plenty of good info. I can understand why it’s has such a good reputation!
It certainly does help you to spot and understand any less than optimal ‘science’ around! With reportings and science in the media, business and consumer backed ‘science’ (with the all too common bad statistics to go with it)
And covering topics from ‘detoxing’ (and why it’s all bogus), cosmetics and the ‘miracle creams’, the effect of placebo in trials and how it may affect the outcome of analyses and results, so called ‘experts’ in scientific fields and the problems in mainstream medicine to name a few.
It also went into many examples of bad science including named studies and why their techniques or methods were flawed or less than optimal.
It’s written extremely well and incredibly funny, striking the balance between being both light and understandable and laced with plenty of good info. I can understand why it’s has such a good reputation!