L’Oréal are at it again. Today the UK Advertising Standards Authority have once more come down hard on one of … More
Category: Scientific literacy
Let’s all laugh at this guy, and his ignorance
Sometimes I actually feel sorry for politicians. There, I’ve said it. The other week, when wannabe-POTUS Governor Richard “Rick” Perry suffered … More
Seven billion Earthlings: So what’s the problem?
Typically, I get uncomfortable when I’m in the presence of more than, say, five other people. Therefore, you might expect … More
No, you are NOT worth it
When it comes to questionable science claims in advertising, you rarely need to look further than the cosmetics industry. Just … More
“Extraordinary people, ordinary evidence”
Here’s just something for the archives. I rarely write book reviews nowadays (although I often get invited to do so), … More
Stop the spread of the ecological fallacy
Have a look at this recently launched public health campaign, pithily titled “Stop the Spread“. It aims to address the … More
Talking science with Scibernia
I was recently interviewed by the folks over at Scibernia.ie, who produce an excellent bi-monthly podcast featuring science news, debate, and … More
When correlation does not imply “casualness”
Yesterday, the Daily Mail published a news story with the following headline: “Psychologists warn of ‘casual link’ between internet porn … More
Skeptics vs. Quacks: Who’s winning?
http://twitter.com/#!/bengoldacre/status/60028892009861120 Last week, the British market research firm YouGov published findings from a national UK opinion survey on complementary and … More
Towards a quantum Theory of Everything (including dirty dishes)
Perhaps few words in contemporary science have been abused as much as “quantum”. Simply put, a quantum is the minimum … More
Politico.ie covers “The Babel Fish”
Following up on last week’s Irish Skeptics Society lecture on science communication, journalist John Holden filed a report on the … More
The Babel Fish Dilemma: Talking Science with Non-Scientists
Last night I gave a public lecture in Dublin for the Irish Skeptics Society, entitled “The Babel Fish Dilemma: Talking … More
“Radiation is good for Japan”: Coulter’s case dissected
Have a listen to Ann Coulter talking to Bill O’Reilly on Fox News last week (the show aired on St … More
When is a nuclear meltdown not a nuclear meltdown?
The horror of human suffering caused by the catastrophe in Japan is vicariously traumatic, and only compounded by the fearful … More
Right-wingers are better looking, study doesn’t show
Last week, the news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) issued a press release with the title, “Rightwing candidates are better looking, … More
“Pregnant thanks to acupuncture”
One of the most troubling aspect of this newspaper story — “I’d lost my baby then somehow fell pregnant thanks … More
‘Science News’ and Football: Together at last
The Daily Telegraph recently reported — in their “Science News” section, notice — a story headlined “Secret of match success: … More
