"Fear of science will kill us" by Michael Specter

[Orphia Nay]

This speech just made my day:

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/04/13/specter.denying.science/

Generally, it's about the benefits of Science, what Science has done for us, and what it needs to be doing.

It covers denialism of vaccines, irrational fears about GM foods, and the futility of belief in alternative medicine.

I got a huge belly laugh at one point when he coined a new term...

Big Placebo!

If you have a few minutes to spare, I really recommend watching it.

 

[shadron]

Yeah, he uses it in contrast with Big Medicine and especially Big Pharma.

 

[Orphia Nay]

Yeah, he uses it in contrast with Big Medicine and especially Big Pharma.

Yep. It's perfect!

 

[Safe-Keeper]

Just like Brian Dunning and others talking about the "alternative industry" and "organic industry". Good stuff.

 

[amb]

Enjoyed watching Ted. Thanks ON.

 

[Helen]

Thanks, I really enjoyed that!

 

[Xephyr]

Ha ! I just finished posting in the "Seeds of Deception" thread and then spotted this one.

Great link, thanks !

 

[Rolfe]

Ben Goldacre used the term "Big Placebo" in his 2008 book Bad Science.

Rolfe.

 

[SonOfLaertes]

This speech just made my day:

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/04/13/specter.denying.science/

Generally, it's about the benefits of Science, what Science has done for us, and what it needs to be doing.

It covers denialism of vaccines, irrational fears about GM foods, and the futility of belief in alternative medicine.

I got a huge belly laugh at one point when he coined a new term...

Big Placebo!

If you have a few minutes to spare, I really recommend watching it.

I read it yesterday and enjoyed it. Until I read through the comment section, that is. Then I became a bit sad.

 

[Orphia Nay]

Glad people liked it!

Ben Goldacre used the term "Big Placebo" in his 2008 book Bad Science.

Rolfe.

Ah! I've been meaning to read that for a while now. Thanks, Rolfe!

 

[Wowbagger]

I liked the term "Hi-Tech Colonialism".

 

[Prometheus]

There's a lot of good stuff on TED.

 

[Wowbagger]

There's a lot of good stuff on TED.

Correction: There is too much good stuff on TED. You could spend forever in there, and never cease to learn anything awesome. So, it's kinda difficult to sort out the "best" from the "even better than that".