Analysis Of Bad Science By Goldacre

The presentation of ‘Bad Science’ gives the reader a seemingly accurate representation of its contents; the shape and size of a fulfilling novel, emphasising its entertainment value, and the cover, bright red in colour symbolising fierce fiery danger, adorns an explosion from a medicine bottle of ‘Hacks, Quacks and Uncomfortable Facts’. This expresses the nature of the book, with the contents being a fiercely passionate argument against the use of bad science and how dressing things up to give a scientific appearance does not mean that they are scientific.

Goldacre starts with an introduction into what the book is about, suggesting the book “follows a natural crescendo” (p.ix), and in my opinion, he delivers this, with each chapter flowing

The idea that detox is essentially a cultural product is discussed, “like the best pseudoscientific inventions, it deliberately blends useful common sense with outlandish, medicalised fantasy” (p.10). He clearly shares his opinion on the benefits of healthy eating and exercise, disputing the need to “bolt a bastardised pseudoscientific justification on to our redemption”! (p.12)

‘Brain Gym’ is next, and Goldacre makes a clear argument as to why it is unnecessary and potentially detrimental to teach children to believe in such nonsense, as it is “sowing the ground, I would say, for a lifetime of exploitation” (p.18). More recurring themes in pseudoscience are introduced, and all the while reaffirming that he is not saying Brain Gym is all bad – “when you strip away the nonsense, it advocates regular breaks, intermittent light exercise and drinking plenty of water”

He introduces the reader to the main themes in pseudoscience and key scientific terminology, methodology and statistical analysis, all of which is well illustrated with a wide range of evidence to strengthen his argument and aid the understanding of bad science vs good science. Examples of evidence are used to show what not to do, and he celebrates those that make a positive difference in the field, such as The Cochrane Collaboration. He provides examples of disturbingly unethical practice (especially seen in the newly added chapter 10) that is “baffling and terrifying” (p.192) and shocking, eye-opening information about how the mistakes and misinterpretations can have a very real and upsetting impact on people. Goldacre is fiercely passionate about the delivery and interpretation of reliable scientific experiments and research, and refers to the role of the media and the pharmaceutical and vitamin industries in promoting unreliable and unscientific nonsense for their own financial