Voodoo Science

Author: Robert L. Park
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780198604433
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 244

Book Description
Occasionally in the world of science, unexpected results that appear to violate accepted laws of nature can herald revolutionary advances in human knowledge. Many of these 'revolutionary' discoveries do, however, turn out to be wrong, and eminent scientists must carry the burden of a tarnished reputation for mistakenly thinking they have made a great discovery. In this entertaining text, Robert Park examines the social, economic, and political forces that elicit or support flawed or fake science and then go on to sustain it in the face of often overwhelming contrary evidence. Readers are made aware of the fine line that exists between foolishness and fraud and are warned against irrational beliefs dressed up as scientific garb.

Voodoo Science Park

Author: Steve Beard
Publisher: John Hunt Publishing
ISBN: 1846945275
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 116

Book Description
Voodoo Science Park started life as a poetic film about the science of accident investigation practised by the Health and Safety Laboratory in the Peak District of England. In the book of the film, Victoria Halford and Steve Beard reveal the thinking that went into the preparation of the script. The Health and Safety Lab is the place where large-scale accidents such as tunnel collapses, fires and rail crashes are recreated to examine their destructive pathways. Halford and Beard explore the connections with imitative magic, drawing on the secret histories of dissident religious sects, miners and shamans as well as the prophecies of William Blake. They rethink the lab’s industrial safety rigs as monstrous emblems of the state, as theorised by Thomas Hobbes, and retrace the steps of a journey the political philosopher took through the hollow lands of the Peak in 1626. Testimony from highwaymen, ramblers and urban explorers is collected along the way. The book is composed in a fragmentary style, which weaves together philosophy, travelogue, history of science, sociology and religious study.

Voodoo Science

Author: Robert Park
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description

Voodoo Science Park

Author: Steve Beard
Publisher: John Hunt Publishing
ISBN: 1780990758
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 116

In Defense of Science

Author: Frank R. Spellman
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1641432519
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 233

Book Description
In an era when many in the science community feel that science is under attack, In Defense of Science explains why ordinary citizens need to have an understanding of science, its methods, and its groundbreaking discoveries. The authors debunk several misconceptions of science and scientists, and advocate that science is an integral part of society and everyday life. This book begins with an introduction to science and its basic concepts, including a brief and entertaining history of science and scientific discoveries, before taking on current views of science in society. It surveys the many sources of our ideas of science, including pop culture, classics of literature, news media, and political discourse. Much of the information from these sources tends to mislead, and the only way to guard against such misinformation is to become scientifically literate, and promote scientific literacy in society. The book therefore delves into the reasons that so many people do not understand basic scientific principles and do not keep up with scientific breakthroughs, and finishes by examining the current state of science education. It includes many resources for further reading, and is presented in an engaging and entertaining way.

Evolutionary Theory and the Creation Controversy

Author: Olivier Rieppel
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642148964
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 214

Book Description
Evolutionary theory addresses the phenomenon of the origin and diversity of plant and animal species that we observe. In recent times, however, it has become a predominant ideology which has gained currency far beyond its original confines. Attempts to understand the origin and historical development of human culture, civilization and language, of the powers of human cognition, and even the origin of the moral and ethical values guiding and constraining everyday life in human societies are now cast in an evolutionary context. In “Evolutionary Theory and the Creation Controversy” the author examines evolutionary theory from a historical perspective, explaining underlying metaphysical backgrounds and fundamental philosophical questions such as the paradoxical problem of change, existence and creation. He introduces the scientists involved, their research results and theories, and discusses the evolution of evolutionary theory against the background of Creationism and Intelligent Design.

Environmental Science

Author: Frank R. Spellman
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 0810886103
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 733

Book Description
Environmental Science: Principles and Practices provides the scientific principles, concepts, applications, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and manmade, evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions (such as renewable energy sources) for resolving and even preventing them. Frank R. Spellman and Melissa Stoudt introduce the science of the environmental mediums of air, water, soil, and biota to undergraduate students. Interdisciplinary by nature, environmental science embraces a wide array of topics. Environmental Science: Principles and Practices brings these topics together under several major themes, including 1.How energy conversions underlie all ecological processes 2.How the earth's environment functions as an integrated system 3.How human activities alter natural systems 4.How the role of culture, social, and economic factors is vital to the development of solutions 5.How human survival depends on practical ideas of stewardship and sustainability Environmental Science: Principles and Practices is an ideal resource for students of science in the classroom and at home, in the library and the lab.

Weird Science:

Author: Michael White
Publisher: Harper Perennial
ISBN: 9780380805051
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 432

Book Description
Offers lucid, scientifically based explanations for a wide range of unexplained and paranormal phenomena, including alien abduction, zombies, hauntings, telekinesis, and multiple dimensions. Original.

Making Sense of Science

Author: Cornelia Dean
Publisher: Harvard University Press
ISBN: 0674059697
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 297

Book Description
A Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist Most of us learn about science from media coverage, and anyone seeking factual information on climate change, vaccine safety, genetically modified foods, or the dangers of peanut allergies has to sift through an avalanche of bogus assertions, misinformation, and carefully packaged spin. Cornelia Dean draws on thirty years of experience as a science reporter at the New York Times to expose the tricks that handicap readers with little background in science. She reveals how activists, business spokespersons, religious leaders, and talk show hosts influence the way science is reported and describes the conflicts of interest that color research. At a time when facts are under daily assault, Making Sense of Science seeks to equip nonscientists with a set of critical tools to evaluate the claims and controversies that shape our lives. “Making Sense of Science explains how to decide who is an expert, how to understand data, what you need to do to read science and figure out whether someone is lying to you... If science leaves you with a headache trying to figure out what’s true, what it all means and who to trust, Dean’s book is a great place to start.” —Casper Star-Tribune “Fascinating... Its mission is to help nonscientists evaluate scientific claims, with much attention paid to studies related to health.” —Seattle Times “This engaging book offers non-scientists the tools to connect with and evaluate science, and for scientists it is a timely call to action for effective communication.” —Times Higher Education

Gonzo Science

Author: Jim Richardson
Publisher: Cosimo, Inc.
ISBN: 1616406232
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 321

Book Description
True believers and skeptics beware: what you know about science may be wrong. Science commentators Jim and Allen Richardson are more faithful than the believers and more skeptical than the skeptics -- and they're funnier, too.