Ruth Francis, Nature’s Head of Press, is reviewing all the entries shortlisted for the Royal Society’s science book prize. She’ll be reading one per week and we are posting her thoughts on The Great Beyond every Friday between now and the prize ceremony on 15 September.
Bad Science – Ben Goldacre
Bad Science is gloriously shouty and hugely entertaining, but it comes with a serious message. Goldacre takes the reader through a series of lessons and brings you out able not only to understand but to question and re-examine scientific claims.
The UK government’s Chief Scientific Advisor, John Beddington, said recently, “everyone is entitled to their own opinion but not their own facts”. Goldacre obeys this mantra. The facts are presented straight, but the entertainment comes in the form of his opinions. And he certainly is not short of those.
Goldacre’s use of homeopathy and nutritionists to teach how evidence based medicine should work are well documented, as are his issues with nutritionist Gillian McKeith and alternative medicine guru Patrick Holford. Much of this will be familiar to readers of his blog, which shares its name with this book. By exploring what he sees as Bad Science the good doctor conveys the flipside: how science should be done.
Personally, I take some issue with his thoughts on science journalism and PR because this is my industry. But these chapters are no less entertaining as a result and remind me of the reasons why I try to get it right.
His key point is that we have to examine the facts that are presented to us, and trust no one. I do fear some readers may confuse his opinions with facts though.
If you haven’t already consumed and digested this book it comes highly recommended. But as you read it, remember Beddington’s wise words.
Previously on Ruth’s Reviews
Ruth’s Reviews: the Drunkard’s Walk
Ruth’s Reviews: Your Inner Fish