Bad Science

Quacks, Hacks, and Big Pharma Flacks

De: Ben Goldacre

Narrado por: Jonathan Cowley

Author Ben Goldacre exposes the epidemic of pseudoscience and gives listeners the tools they need to distinguish good science from nonsense.

©2010 Ben Goldacre (P)2012 Tantor

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Great fun for science and statistics geeks, this is challenging in the best sense of the word." ( Library Journal)

Knowledge is Power

Goldacre really gives you pause for thought in regards to medicine and nutrition. He has no qualms about calling a quack a quack, and really makes you wonder about all the studies that have been done concerning supplements, diets, and general medical information.

Informative and well written

The book delivers on its promise of making a reader think more critically about scientifically sounding claims made by mass media or by companies that try to sell things. There are multiple examples of baseless claims that are wide spread and accepted like detox or homeopathy. The book enumerates quite a few of them and explains where the claims came from and why they are wrong.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the book is about how questionable conclusions can be substantiated by research/studies that on a surface seem credible. How, if you are not careful and don't know what to look for, you can easily be mislead by unethical studies. For example small details in selecting trial groups, deciding cohorts or assuming wrong control groups can completely change results of an experiment. Unfortunately some corrupt companies try to cheat using such methods.

Important Book In This Scientifically Trying Time

I'm a fan of Ben Goldacre. I've heard him interviewed on a number of podcasts and he's always interesting and makes great points. I did not fully connect with this audiobook, however. I was very familiar with most of the subject matter, as much of the material has been covered in depth on the podcast The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe. The book felt like a review and a lot of rehash.

The book attacks medical quackery, homeopathy, nutritionists, anti-vaxxers, and several other health-related, and anti-science topics. A couple chapters I found interesting were about Brain Gym and statistics manipulation. Brain Gym is a brain training company which is apparently a bigger deal in the UK (I've never even heard of it) which Goldacre claims is bad science and he takes it down in a big way. The Andrew Wakefield / MMR vaccine scare is covered in depth in this book. The author does a great job presenting his case against lousy science in a concise and sometimes funny way.

Despite my rating, I would recommend this book for anyone looking to become more proficient in seeing through anti-science claims and recognizing scams and pseudoscience. If this subject matter is new to you, you will probably find this book enlightening. It was written in 2012 and the message is as important now as it was then. Maybe more so, actually.

Life changing

The book is excellent. So good that I changed my career to pursue clinical trial work! Thank you so much!

If you like this topic you'll enjoy this book

Very well researched. The information is clearly presented and easy to understand. A good introduction to the topic

Worthwhile

audiobook, crooks, education, greed, medical, nonfiction, reference, science, social-issues, whispersync, fraud

A detailed reminder to verify claims and rationality of products that are aimed at desperate people reaching for an answer and finding snake oil instead. Very well worthwhile read.
Jonathan Cowley does come off rather pedantic, but that does not diminish the value of the material.

womderful contribution

this book sat gor too long on my must read list, its well told, with simplicity but not to belittle the listner.

The book probably should be required reading for all students and available free at every GP clinic, pharmacy and hospital

Makes me wish I'd paid attention in science!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Read this book! Ben Goldacre uses stats, humor and facts in a riveting expose of some of our most recent health concerns. From the MMR vaccine scandals to current oncological trials, he dissects and explains how data can be secured, manipulated and sold to influence individuals and more importantly, public opinion.

Any additional comments?

I am a professional musician by training and I was delighted that I could follow the author's clear scientific arguments. It was obvious he was aiming for accessibility, yet he retained the meat of his cautionary tale.

Very detailed.

If you wanna know some behind the scenes stuff on the medical industry then get this book!

Must read

I personally knew some of the info so those parts were just a little dull. This book however is very important for everyone to read or listen to. It will open your eyes to the tricks and ignorance of the media and many so call experts in science.