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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
It's been over ten years since the book was still published, and unfortunately all the rubbish that constitutes "Bad Science" still occurs (now with added replication crisis!). This book is hilarious (in that I found myself bitter-laughing) and thought-provoking (Vitamin C supplements does not reduce the incidence of the common cold? "Olive oil is amazing for the skin" has never been shown in a controlled experiment?), but could have really benefited from less ad hominem statements. I mean, sure homeopathy is terrible and science journalists don't know much about methods, but I would think the universities that do offer the courses and profit-based magazines/journals/newspapers that are more at fault and are more change-able than individuals who get taught bad science and replicate the crisis.
Otherwise, the book is very, very important.
Otherwise, the book is very, very important.
I ordered Bad Science because it was recommended by Amazon.co.uk. I knew nothing about this book or Ben Goldacre before reading it but I risked it because the description and people's reviews piqued my curiosity. Right from its cover one understands the author proposes to clarify a lot of the supposedly science-based bullshit going on in the mass-media and health market nowadays. Being a recently graduated doctor does mean that I am aware of most of it already, but its still interesting both to read about it from someone who just wants to clear stuff up, explain basic statistics and expel the drama associated with most health news today and also to get to know some of the most strikingly absurd examples of such nonsense. After reading it during my vacations - which means I had the concentration and attention span needed to understand and be critical about it - I must say that Ben Goldacre nailed it.
But first things first: a nice way to get to know what the book is about is a talk by the author at TEDGlobal 2011 (go watch it as soon as possible). I admit he sounds a bit deranged, as he often does in the book, although there he has more space to explain, provide reference and overall be less hurried which is much more rewarding to the reader.
Bad Science - the book - includes comments on people who consistently advertise conclusions based on bad science and on some of the most reported cases of the same bad science in the media. But what I consider the true achievement of the book and the reason why I recommend it is the way the author takes from these examples and explains the scientific method applied to health issues, its benefits and its flaws and how they are exploited to take advantage of the general public and sometimes ignored by the so called science reporters. After this, the reader will be armed with enough knowledge to appraise claims of scientific proof and decide for themselves whether they are total bullshit, just not enough to believe or something to be trusted, at least enough to consult someone who has more information about them. Of note are chapters such as "Homeopathy", "The Placebo Effect", "How the Media Promote the Public Misunderstanding of Science", "Why Clever People Believe Stupid Things", "Bad Stats" and "Health Scares". To further celebrate Ben Goldacre's achievement I'll just add, as an example, that he isn't limited to telling you how the placebo effect influences the results of studies or fakes the consequences of apparently awesome treatments. That's what you can get by reading the first result of a google search on the placebo effect. He goes from there to predict how the knowledge of what generates such effect might be used in the medical practice, for example in the way health care is organized, how treatments are explained, how health care personnel talks to patients.
His real purpose seems not only to be the disillusionment of the people who are cheated by those who take advantage of bad science but also the utilization of the knowledge gained to improve our quality of life. All in all a very informative and interesting read which deals with concepts that all people in contemporary society should master while discrediting astonishing health scares and false propaganda.
This review was adapted from my original publication on my blog.
But first things first: a nice way to get to know what the book is about is a talk by the author at TEDGlobal 2011 (go watch it as soon as possible). I admit he sounds a bit deranged, as he often does in the book, although there he has more space to explain, provide reference and overall be less hurried which is much more rewarding to the reader.
Bad Science - the book - includes comments on people who consistently advertise conclusions based on bad science and on some of the most reported cases of the same bad science in the media. But what I consider the true achievement of the book and the reason why I recommend it is the way the author takes from these examples and explains the scientific method applied to health issues, its benefits and its flaws and how they are exploited to take advantage of the general public and sometimes ignored by the so called science reporters. After this, the reader will be armed with enough knowledge to appraise claims of scientific proof and decide for themselves whether they are total bullshit, just not enough to believe or something to be trusted, at least enough to consult someone who has more information about them. Of note are chapters such as "Homeopathy", "The Placebo Effect", "How the Media Promote the Public Misunderstanding of Science", "Why Clever People Believe Stupid Things", "Bad Stats" and "Health Scares". To further celebrate Ben Goldacre's achievement I'll just add, as an example, that he isn't limited to telling you how the placebo effect influences the results of studies or fakes the consequences of apparently awesome treatments. That's what you can get by reading the first result of a google search on the placebo effect. He goes from there to predict how the knowledge of what generates such effect might be used in the medical practice, for example in the way health care is organized, how treatments are explained, how health care personnel talks to patients.
His real purpose seems not only to be the disillusionment of the people who are cheated by those who take advantage of bad science but also the utilization of the knowledge gained to improve our quality of life. All in all a very informative and interesting read which deals with concepts that all people in contemporary society should master while discrediting astonishing health scares and false propaganda.
This review was adapted from my original publication on my blog.
Fascinating and surprisingly easy to understand - I thought it would be beyond me, and I was hugely entertained.
Some parts made me extremely angry, like the way that the wool is pulled over our eyes by journalists, and I shall be reading reports of 'great breakthroughs' with much more skepticism.
Essential reading, especially for homeopathy users and anti-vaxxers...
Some parts made me extremely angry, like the way that the wool is pulled over our eyes by journalists, and I shall be reading reports of 'great breakthroughs' with much more skepticism.
Essential reading, especially for homeopathy users and anti-vaxxers...
This book contains some of the most important aspects of science, and science reporting, and everybody should read about them. The points occasionally get a little laboured here, but it is really worth persevering with.
A very necessary read in today's world of social media influenced news. Gives a very beautiful idea of how information is misrepresented and how to spot and analyse the truth
This is a valuable book, but Goldacre's snobbery and general attitude of asshattery really make him sound like a total hypocrite.
Overall, a good book.
It touches on a lot of topics that I see problems with in my day-to-day. News outlets are awful at reporting science, often blow the conclusions way out of proportion, and never hold themselves accountable for their actions. It focuses on how a root cause of this problem is a lack of understanding when it comes to study methodology and statistical analyses and goes on to do an excellent job of explaining how you can examine those aspects of a scientific study.
That said, the author's writing makes him come across as riding an almighty high horse. Maybe I read a little too far between the lines, but he just doesn't seem like someone I'd ever want to have any dealings with. It shouldn't detract from his points, but did make the book a little less enjoyable in my opinion.
It touches on a lot of topics that I see problems with in my day-to-day. News outlets are awful at reporting science, often blow the conclusions way out of proportion, and never hold themselves accountable for their actions. It focuses on how a root cause of this problem is a lack of understanding when it comes to study methodology and statistical analyses and goes on to do an excellent job of explaining how you can examine those aspects of a scientific study.
That said, the author's writing makes him come across as riding an almighty high horse. Maybe I read a little too far between the lines, but he just doesn't seem like someone I'd ever want to have any dealings with. It shouldn't detract from his points, but did make the book a little less enjoyable in my opinion.
Prose/Readability: 4
Commitment to Objective/Unbiased Truth: 5
Interesting Content: 5
Perspective Shift: 5
Commitment to Objective/Unbiased Truth: 5
Interesting Content: 5
Perspective Shift: 5
Some needless attacks on humanities graduates, but aside from that excellent!
Fun book, but very selective at times. I sensed that the author has good methodology and knowledge to back up his claims, but throughout a lot of the book I felt like he had an axe to grind with certain parties.
There is nothing wrong with that, but it came across as pretty focused rather than being an exposition of ways for the general public to avoid common pitfalls and mistakes.
There is nothing wrong with that, but it came across as pretty focused rather than being an exposition of ways for the general public to avoid common pitfalls and mistakes.