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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Bad Science summary
Ben Goldacre
A behind-the-scenes look at the bogus science used to mislead us every day.
22 mins
Brief summary
Bad Science by Ben Goldacre is a wake-up call to the dangers of misinformation in the world of science and medicine. It exposes the faulty research practices that fuel myths, scams, and other non-evidence-based claims that harm the public.
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Bad Science
Summary of 9 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 9
We buy into the junk science myths used to sell health and beauty products.
Each and every day we are bombarded by advertisements for products that promise to improve our lives in some way. All too often these products are explained in complex and seemingly indisputable scientific language.
We don’t have to do much digging to find examples of this. Just think of the health and beauty industry with their claims of how their products “purify” us and make us look more attractive.
For example, there is a detox footbath called Aqua Detox, which purports to cleanse your body of “toxins,” evidenced by the bath water turning brown after the product is used.
And then there’s an advertisement for a face cream made from “specially treated salmon roe DNA,” which assumes that salmon DNA somehow nourishes and revitalizes your skin.
Surely the brown water left in the detox bath is the toxins our feet leave behind, right? Wrong. These grand scientific claims are based on absolutely no evidence whatsoever!
Upon closer inspection, the brown color of the water has nothing to do with your feet, but is merely the rust coming from the iron electrodes when the device is switched on.
And that salmon skin cream? DNA is simply too large to be absorbed by skin but even if it wasn’t, fish DNA – i.e., alien DNA – isn’t beneficial for your cells, and certainly not beneficial for you. If you really want to reap the benefits of nutrient-rich salmon, you have to actually eat and digest certain parts of it, not rub it on your skin.
So how do these companies get away with it? In essence, they rely on our misunderstanding of science: we tend to think that it’s just too complicated for us. Better to leave that “science stuff” to the people in lab coats, right?
We therefore easily accept the scientific “facts” presented to us without questioning them, leaving advertisers an irresistible opportunity to exploit our ignorance and trust in order to sell their wares.
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What is Bad Science about?
We often swallow scientific-sounding language used in advertisements or on the news without any further thought. But if we analyze it a little, we often find that it’s merely pseudoscience. Bad Science shows us that this bogus science can lead to serious misunderstandings, injustice and even death.
Bad Science Review
Bad Science (2009) presents a critical examination of the often misleading and flawed science that pervades our society. Here's why this book is a must-read:
- It uncovers the tricks and deceit used by pharmaceutical companies, alternative medicine practitioners, and journalists, shedding light on the dangers of misinformation.
- The book offers empowering tools to help readers navigate through the muddled world of science, enabling them to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
- With its accessible and engaging storytelling, the book manages to both educate and entertain, making the complex subject of science accessible to a wide audience.
Best quote from Bad Science
In general, you dont absorb things through your skin, because its purpose is to be relatively impermeable. When you sit in a bath of baked beans for charity you do not get fat, nor do you start farting.
—Ben Goldacre
Who should read Bad Science?
- Anyone worried about science reporting in the media
- Anyone who thinks understanding science is beyond them
- Anyone who buys vitamins or homeopathic remedies
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Bad Science FAQs
What is the main message of Bad Science?
The main message of Bad Science is to promote critical thinking and expose the flaws in scientific reporting.
How long does it take to read Bad Science?
Reading Bad Science takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Bad Science a good book? Is it worth reading?
Bad Science delivers valuable insights into the world of scientific research. It's definitely worth reading for anyone interested in understanding the behind-the-scenes of science.
Who is the author of Bad Science?
The author of Bad Science is Ben Goldacre.
What to read after Bad Science?
If you're wondering what to read next after Bad Science, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Flat Earth News by Nick Davies
- The Reality Game by Samuel Woolley
- The Most Important Thing by Howard Marks
- Building Your Money Machine with ChatGPT by Larry Wheeler
- Hyperspace by Michio Kaku
- AI Snake Oil by Arvind Narayanan
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
- Suspicious Minds by Rob Brotherton
- The Problems of Philosophy by Bertrand Russell
- Essentialism by Greg McKeown