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A review by scotchyeti
Bad Science by Ben Goldacre
5.0
"Bad science" covers an important topic. In our open-minded, scientific world we rely too much on simple receipts that promise us to live longer, healthier, pain-free etc. A blue pill for this, a pink pill for that...
The honest truth is that it's not that simple. However, alternative and complementary medicine have created a huge market that makes use of our all too human hope for easy solutions. "But it works" is the most common reply, and "it has been scientifically proven"! Really? The book lets you look behind the curtain.
* It explains the methodological flaws of so-called trials.
* It reveals the pseudo-academic background of the experts.
* It explains the "Placebo effect", which is responsible for amazing results.
* It points out the disastrous influence of the media in the UK.
* It tells you something about "meta-analysis".
* It teaches you to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. :-)
"Bad science" will rob some of your illusions. Vitamin C prevents a cold? No, it supports the treatment but doesn't "prevent" it. Omega-3 fatty acid? No. The new next generation wonder-pill? Unlikely.
Unfortunately it's not easy to apply the new knowledge. Having the proper tools is one thing, investing time and effort is another. So the most important lesson I took out of the book is that the world is complex and that it pays out to be skeptical. It's all too easy to get manipulated. Arm yourself - with knowledge.
The honest truth is that it's not that simple. However, alternative and complementary medicine have created a huge market that makes use of our all too human hope for easy solutions. "But it works" is the most common reply, and "it has been scientifically proven"! Really? The book lets you look behind the curtain.
* It explains the methodological flaws of so-called trials.
* It reveals the pseudo-academic background of the experts.
* It explains the "Placebo effect", which is responsible for amazing results.
* It points out the disastrous influence of the media in the UK.
* It tells you something about "meta-analysis".
* It teaches you to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. :-)
"Bad science" will rob some of your illusions. Vitamin C prevents a cold? No, it supports the treatment but doesn't "prevent" it. Omega-3 fatty acid? No. The new next generation wonder-pill? Unlikely.
Unfortunately it's not easy to apply the new knowledge. Having the proper tools is one thing, investing time and effort is another. So the most important lesson I took out of the book is that the world is complex and that it pays out to be skeptical. It's all too easy to get manipulated. Arm yourself - with knowledge.