At the beginning of February, Scott Adams posted on his blog Dilbert about “Science’s Biggest Fail“. The issue, said Adams, is that science has lost its credibility in the public because uncertainty over when science is ‘done’. Scott Adams, “Science isn’t about being right every time, or even most of the time. It is aboutContinue reading “On ‘scienceyness’ and public trust”
Tag Archives: hype
Leapin’ Lesbian Lizards are here to stay
Ever hear about lesbian lizards from Mexico? Well, they may not actually be lesbians, but there’s a reason for the name. The New Mexican whiptail is a species of lizard with an unusual way of reproducing. Parthenogenesis is a mode of reproduction in which the embryos do not require fertlisation. This process has been studiedContinue reading “Leapin’ Lesbian Lizards are here to stay”
IFLScience – a case of (positive) hype around science
If you haven’t heard of I Fucking Love Science (or IFLS for any sensitive readers out there) then let me give you a quick run down. Established sometime in March 2012 by Elise Andrew, IFLS has accumulated over 18 million Facebook followers and over 120 000 followers on Twitter, which is pretty incredible given the readershipContinue reading “IFLScience – a case of (positive) hype around science”
Selling through science (aka commercial hype)
So, we’ve looked at hype from a variety of sources (including scientists, journals and media), but what about those huge proponents of big promises – the commercial sector? The nutritional supplement industry in the USA, which made $11.5 billion in sales in 2012, is a easy example to make. In May 2014, the American FederalContinue reading “Selling through science (aka commercial hype)”
A war of perceptions on GMOs
In a war of perceptions, how do you know which experts are providing the ‘right’ information?
Everyone’s an expert on Ebola
Just a short post today to make mention of an article in the Weekend Australia Inquirer section which dealt with Ebola in a surprisingly tasteful manner (if we by pass the title ‘death and danger on the seething front line of Ebola’). Jamie Walker, associate editor of the section, reported on developments in Ebola throughContinue reading “Everyone’s an expert on Ebola”
Talking about experts
An expert is qualified to give opinions based on their in depth involvement, but it doesn’t make them the last word on a subject. It just gives their opinion more weight than someone without their specific knowledge.
Cold fusion continued | Of John Bockris and paradigms
Cold fusion is possibly the most well known fringe science of the 20th century. Will it ever enter mainstream science?
Science with a bang: Making explosive claims about Mt. Fuji
A month ago, international headlines said that Japan’s iconic volcano – Mt Fuji – was in a critical state. The headlines originated with this a press release and interviews with the lead author from a study on seismic activities in Japan’s crust, Doctor Frolent Brenguier. Dr. Brenguier made some very interesting statements about Mt. Fuji.Continue reading “Science with a bang: Making explosive claims about Mt. Fuji”
Sexy science: what’s with all the hype?
In the last week or so, as I’ve been looking into controversial science, I’ve come across a recurring theme of concern that ‘big’ journals (like Nature and Science) are damaging science. Someone who provides a good synopsis of this problem is Randy Schekman, a cell biologist and Nobel prize winner, who is firmly of the opinionContinue reading “Sexy science: what’s with all the hype?”
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