Monthly Archives: April 2011

Skeptics vs. Quacks: Who’s winning?

Posted on April 30, 2011 | 7 Comments

Last week, the British market research firm YouGov published findings from a national UK opinion survey on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). While the survey focused on CAM in general, YouGov chose to focus on the findings for homeopathy in their publicity materials. In summary, 43% of the sample believed homeopathy to be either “definitely” or “possibly” effective. Given that 20% reported not having a particular view (i.e., “Don’t know”), this meant that only 37% explicitly reported skepticism. In other words, of those adults willing to express an opinion, the majority expressed some level of belief in the effectiveness of homeopathy. This is despite the well established biological implausibility and medical inefficacy of homeopathic treatment.

Similar results emerged for other CAM treatments, suggesting that belief in pseudoscientific medicine continues to prosper in the UK. Noted science writer, blogger, and top skeptic Ben Goldacre even posted a tweet implying that the figures undermined claims that science advocates were “winning” the war on quackery (a point he elaborated in a subsequent blog post). However, should we really be that pessimistic? Because despite these initial impressions, the details within the figures may actually contain some encouraging signs. Continue reading →

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Posted in Acupuncture, Alternative/Complementary Medicine, Chiropractic, Crystal therapy, Health, Herbal medicine, Homeopathy, Pseudoscience, Reflexology, Reiki, Science, Scientific literacy, Skepticism, Statistics, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Towards a quantum Theory of Everything (including dirty dishes)

Posted on April 26, 2011 | 1 Comment

Perhaps few words in contemporary science have been abused as much as “quantum”. Simply put, a quantum is the minimum amount of an entity that can actually do anything. One example is a photon, which is the minimum amount of light that can be involved in an electromagnetic interaction. The study of such tiny particles, which exist at a truly infinitesimal level of minuteness, has become known as quantum physics, and is regarded by physicists as having the potential to underpin a so-called Theory of Everything – one that fully explains all known physical phenomena and predicts the outcome of all possible experiments. While we are not quite that far just yet, quantum physics does have significant practical applicability in industrial contexts, with estimates suggesting that up to 30% of the gross national product of the US is accounted for by inventions made possible by quantum mechanics. Therefore, while remaining committed to the long-term holy grail of explaining the universe, perhaps for now we should be happy just to settle for consolation prizes like, erm, quantum dishwasher powder.

Or more specifically: ”FINISH® QUANTUM®“, part of the FINISH® “multi-benefit dishwashing tablets and pacs” range produced in the UK by Reckitt Benckiser plc. Interestingly, actual physicists don’t typically seek to protect their jargon by registering scientific descriptors as legal trademarks. But surprise surprise, actual quantum physics has little or nothing to do with this product. Continue reading →

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Posted in Authority appeals, Dodgy advertising, Homeopathy, Jargon, Physics, Pseudoscience, Science, Scientific literacy, Television, Video

Politico.ie covers “The Babel Fish”

Posted on April 25, 2011 | Leave a comment

Following up on last week’s Irish Skeptics Society lecture on science communication, journalist John Holden filed a report on the Irish politics and current affairs website, Politico.ie.

As part of his analysis, Holden notes that: ”In the Irish media there is still only one page per week devoted to ‘hard science’ (in The Irish Times) and sporadic articles here and there in other papers. Science related to health is more widely covered due to its social relevance. But unless other science news can be linked to popular culture… it’s not going to generate much interest outside of the proverbial lab.” Continue reading →

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Posted in Event, Jargon, Lecture, Newspapers & Magazines, Politico.ie, Politics, Science, Scientific literacy, Sport, Statistics, Television, TV3

The Babel Fish Dilemma: Talking Science with Non-Scientists

Posted on April 21, 2011 | Leave a comment

Last night I gave a public lecture in Dublin for the Irish Skeptics Society, entitled “The Babel Fish Dilemma: Talking Science with Non-Scientists“. The Irish Skeptics, under the leadership of psychologists Paul O’Donoghue and Nóirín Buckley, have been organizing a public lecture series on science engagement, critical thinking, and skepticism that has run continuously since 2002. Many of their previous speakers have been extremely illustrious — included figures like James Randi, Matt Ridley, Ben Goldacre, Chris French, Richard Wiseman, and Simon Singh — so I was glad that my talk appeared to be well received by such an astute audience. While proceedings were not recorded, you can view the full slideshow above. The abstract for the talk was as follows: Continue reading →

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Posted in Alternative/Complementary Medicine, Celebrities, Dodgy advertising, Event, Food, Health, Jargon, Lecture, Newspapers & Magazines, Pharmaceuticals, Politics, Pseudoscience, Science, Scientific literacy, Skepticism, Television, Video

Alcohol causes cancer? If you assume so, yes

Posted on April 12, 2011 | 6 Comments

Last week, a study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) linked alcohol consumption with cancer risk, and duly attracted extensive international media coverage. News outlets around the world keenly reported on the carcinogenic properties of alcohol. This description from BBC News was pretty typical: “A large Europe-wide study in the British Medical Journal found that one-in-10 of all cancers in men and one-in-33 of all cancers in women are caused by past or current alcohol intake”. Several agencies took an alarmist stance: many cancers are “caused by drinking” proclaimed the Press Association; alcohol was “a major cause” of cancer according to Agence France-Presse (AFP); “Are you aware of the cancer risks of drinking too much alcohol?” challenged Canadian broadcaster, CBC. Others tried to tease out implications. The Irish Times concluded that “reducing alcohol intake would reduce the number of cancer cases”. The Guardian were more directive, noting that “thousands of cancers could be prevented if men had the equivalent of no more than two drinks a day and women had no more than one”. Over at the Daily Mail, however, people were less optimistic: “Alcohol causes cancer“, declared its headline, “…and giving up won’t help“.

The media were virtually unanimous in their interpretation of the research: the study had established tangible evidence for a causal link between alcohol consumption and cancer onset. Unfortunately for the consensus-makers, the problem with this interpretation is that it’s wholly untrue. The BMJ researchers were not even looking for evidence of causality, and most certainly did not establish it. In fact, in one sense, they did the exact opposite. Continue reading →

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Posted in Agence France-Press, Alcohol, BBC News, Cancer, CBC, Daily Mail, Food, Health, Irish Times, Newspapers & Magazines, Press Association, Science, Statistics, The Guardian