IQ2 Interview: Ben Goldacre on science in the media

"Science is value free. So is a gun." Here, science writer Ben Goldacre describes the problems with science coverage in the mainstream media. Too often it's used towards political and social ends, exemplified most clearly in schizophrenic reporting of the cervical cancer vaccine. Ben Goldacre is interviewed by Jack Klaff for Intelligence Squared (IQ2). The full hour-long video is available on the IQ2 website at http://www.intelligencesquared.com/talks/ben-goldacre-on-science-in-the-media

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News & Politics

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• IQ2
• Ben
• Goldacre
• highlights

[killbot9]

The guy can't stand still... makes Michael J Fox look like Stephen Hawking.

[Momo56rocks]

How many cups of coffe does Ben Goldacre need - a lot I think

[davidhealey1]

did the interviewer ever say anything?

[peacefullawyerman]

Been looking at stuff featuring Jack Klaff. He appears to have his fans. Or is this Jack himself writing responses? Anyway. 1. Please read BoraZ's essay for SciAm to see how different kinds of language are used. Klaff and Goldacre can both subvert steroetypes but as they chat, they agree on the trad, dictionary meaning of 'nerd'. 2. When it comes to climate change, lay people turn to scientists. No-one trusts the media. So, the answers scientists give really matter in a range of crucial ways

[ZarlanTheGreen]

@sallyannlovett "I don't believe anyting uncritically."

You believe in the "climategate" story, so...

I rather doubt that.

Also, I notice that you clearly didn't watch the videos I mentioned

...which provides sources (mostly scientific papers) for everything it says, BTW.

"Why couldn't he refer viewers to the site you mention?"

Well he doesn't really deal with climate science.

Why would you assume he knows how to swiftly debunk the myth?

...and you have to be swift in an interview.

[adrianalovesajoke]

@ZarlanTheGreen Dear Poor Zarlan. See how you operate as a thinker? I quote the dictionary definitions. Aren't nerds supposed to have intelligence? It's not my definition. It's how the word has come be defined. To be sure that definition could change and usage can do that. But Jack Klaff was fine and right, talking to the bicycling, sociable, pleasant, not unattractive Goldacre, exchanging pleasantries as a warm-up. Withdraw the fuck you. Be a better thinker and nerd. Do your research. 

[sallyannlovett]

@ZarlanTheGreen Do take a little care. I don't believe anyting uncritically.That's the point. I'm asking why Goldacre doesn't so much as address what you call the myth. He's being politica herel, not scientific. I admire Goldacre but I'm allowed to have questions I would hope, His is a shifty, slimy approach, like an MP with something to hide. Why couldn't he refer viewers to the site you mention? Klaff gives him all the time in the world. Deal with the issue, swiftly, but deal with it.

[ZarlanTheGreen]

@sallyannlovett "THEN dismisses all of Climategate in barely a sentence. What's that about? Surely, surely changing data is Bad Science?"

What changing of data are you referring to?

The supposed changes, that the media has accused climate scientist of having done, based of a bunch of leaked e-mails?

Well if you uncritically believe what the media tells you, no wonder you don't like Goldacre.

Here's some debunking of that myth:

watch?v=7nnVQ2fROOg

Continued by:

watch?v=uXesBhYwdRo

[sallyannlovett]

Really amazing this. At the end of this brilliant chat with Jack Klaff Ben Goldacre is asked about climate change. Goldacre does a sort of a snooty thing about the question istelf, and THEN dismisses all of Climategate in barely a sentence. What's that about? Surely, surely changing data is Bad Science? Surely it reflects Badly on scientists? Suddenly Goldacre starts to look petty, shoddy or worse. Very odd

[adrianalovesajoke]

@ZarlanTheGreen Since the 50's, a 'nerd' has been defiined as a person who's single-minded or accomplished in scientific or technical pursuits but is socially inept, foolish, awkward and unattractive. It's a stereotype. But it's also the definition. Don't you respect a VALUE FREE definition? The interviewer, Jack Klaff, is right. You're wrong. Being fuzzy about definitions is Bad Thinking. You say fuck you to Klaff. Hope he wouldn't. You're either too nerdy or not nerdy enough. Woolly mind