Bad Science

Quacks, Hacks, and Big Pharma Flacks

By: Ben Goldacre

Narrated by: Jonathan Cowley

Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

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

Critic Reviews

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

Learn who is scamming people, and how.

It's important to be informed that the "Detox Foot Baths" and Pads, and Ear Candles, Homeopathy and many other things in the Alternative Medicine industry are scams, but it's even better to learn *how* they are scamming people.

Maybe you wouldn't have fallen for these things yourself anyway, but this book can help you explain to others who may be more inclined to try them exactly what they do and why they don't work.

I already knew that most of these were useless or even intentional scams, but I didn't know the details of all of them, and despite having a previous interest in the subject, some of these quacks and hacks were new to me.

I found it very enjoyable to listen to, and would recommend it to anyone interested in the subject matter - as long as they're okay with a British perspective and narrator. It's always a good idea to listen to a sample before buying just in case!

The Brits Pull No Punches On Fake Medicine!!

First off, be aware that the humor in this book is VERY British. I didn't know that going in, but was pleasantly surprised. The narrarator is SPOT ON with the read. It's witty, yet scientific, and filled with interesting facts. Rather bravely, the author (Goldacre) admits numerous times when he's getting too bogged down in boring/heavy stuff, and apologizes. This is done in a way that's charming and hillarious. Entertaining all the way through. If you've ever wondered about the reality of Homeopathic remedies, natural healing, witch doctors, etc, then you will LOVE this book!

Enlightening!

Would you listen to Bad Science again? Why?

I will listen again, just because there was so much in it that I can't remember every detail all at once. FABULOUS information and take!

Any additional comments?

I loved this book! Of course, the fact that the author agreed with me on the pseudoscience of many alternative medicine certainly didn't hurt, but it was more than that. He came and things as a nonbeliever in everything, whether it be alternative medicine or science, whether it be medicine or placebo. Furthermore, he was able to say that “yes, some things that are not scientifically proved actually have proved helpful, MORE than doing nothing”. He did his best to explain what could be going on, and he did his best to allow for individuals' belief systems. In some cases, he said that he doesn't agree with you, but he respects your choice. I personally, furthermore, learned things about what I, personally, need to look for. It was a great book!

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.

Important topic; poor audio delivery

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator is monotonous and makes it a slog

How could the performance have been better?

A more lively and varied inflection. Every sentence follows the same predictable monotonous voice pattern. Such a shame, as Ben Goldacre himself is a wonderfully lively presenter.

Illuminating

Great discussion of how medicine finds out what is good or bad for you. And a clear presentation of how statistics can be manipulated (and how we can tell it has been manipulated).

ask: was the study double blind

What made the experience of listening to Bad Science the most enjoyable?

eye opening how irresponsible the media is when publishing a story

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

yes. andrew wakefield should be held accountable for the damage he has caused.
the rest of the mail order quacks should be publicly ridiculed for their nonsense. I'm talking about you Chopra

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.

Worth a rethink

I don't always agree with his viewpoint but I do respect it. So I will give his ideas a second and third consideration.

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.