Comments on: Bad Science by Ben Goldacre: You Must Read It http://explorativeapproach.com/bad-science-by-ben-goldacre-you-must-read-it/ Sun, 06 Mar 2011 18:20:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Shane http://explorativeapproach.com/bad-science-by-ben-goldacre-you-must-read-it/comment-page-1/#comment-56 Shane Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:15:24 +0000 http://explorativeapproach.wordpress.com/?p=103#comment-56 Thanks for your comment! I hadn't heard of that Sagan book yet. I'll give it a read when I get the chance. Thanks for your comment! I hadn’t heard of that Sagan book yet. I’ll give it a read when I get the chance.

]]> By: Simon White http://explorativeapproach.com/bad-science-by-ben-goldacre-you-must-read-it/comment-page-1/#comment-55 Simon White Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:03:13 +0000 http://explorativeapproach.wordpress.com/?p=103#comment-55 Carl Sagan's "The Demon-Haunted World: Science As A Candle In The Dark" could be considered as a "self-help book for rational thinkers". It's not referenced by Bad Science (or vice versa, since it's much older), but there's a fair bit of overlap in the subject matter. People who are explaining conclusions they reached by ruthless application of the scientific method, as Goldacre is doing, quite understandably have the courage of their convictions. As far as I can see, it's a common criticism of books like this that the writer has an arrogant tone, I just hope the majority of readers are able to look past it. Carl Sagan’s “The Demon-Haunted World: Science As A Candle In The Dark” could be considered as a “self-help book for rational thinkers”. It’s not referenced by Bad Science (or vice versa, since it’s much older), but there’s a fair bit of overlap in the subject matter.

People who are explaining conclusions they reached by ruthless application of the scientific method, as Goldacre is doing, quite understandably have the courage of their convictions. As far as I can see, it’s a common criticism of books like this that the writer has an arrogant tone, I just hope the majority of readers are able to look past it.

]]> By: Shane http://explorativeapproach.com/bad-science-by-ben-goldacre-you-must-read-it/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Shane Sat, 19 Sep 2009 07:17:42 +0000 http://explorativeapproach.wordpress.com/?p=103#comment-14 Thanks for commenting! I agree, Goldacre can be very abrasive and cynical. Somehow, he can get away with it, because he backs all his claims with solid evidence. As for a further book: I just hope he's writing one. I liked Bad Science so much, I'll read anything he cares to write at this point. :) Thanks for commenting!
I agree, Goldacre can be very abrasive and cynical. Somehow, he can get away with it, because he backs all his claims with solid evidence. As for a further book: I just hope he’s writing one. I liked Bad Science so much, I’ll read anything he cares to write at this point. :)

]]> By: Matthew Stibbe http://explorativeapproach.com/bad-science-by-ben-goldacre-you-must-read-it/comment-page-1/#comment-13 Matthew Stibbe Sat, 19 Sep 2009 06:44:43 +0000 http://explorativeapproach.wordpress.com/?p=103#comment-13 Definitely agree - this is an important book for people to read. My only comment is that Goldacre can come across as a bit ranty and arrogant so that he sometimes spoils very compelling and proper arguments by overstating them. I'd love it if he would write a sort of self-help book for rational thinkers. For example, how to apply the scientific method in your own life, how to discriminate between good and bad claims for a medical or 'alternative' treatment etc. Definitely agree – this is an important book for people to read. My only comment is that Goldacre can come across as a bit ranty and arrogant so that he sometimes spoils very compelling and proper arguments by overstating them. I’d love it if he would write a sort of self-help book for rational thinkers. For example, how to apply the scientific method in your own life, how to discriminate between good and bad claims for a medical or ‘alternative’ treatment etc.

]]>