Corrupted Science: Fraud, Ideology and Politics in Science

by John Grant

Book Overview

In "Discarded Science," John Grant took a fascinating look at all the things science got wrong through the centuries. But at least those were honest mistakes. Grant s equally absorbing follow-up... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1904332730
• ISBN13: 9781904332732
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: Facts, Figures & Fun
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.1" x 7.6"

Customer Reviews

An interesting book, but it's going to get dated...

First off, there is a lot of fun stuff in this book. You want some info on Piltdown man, or why Soviet science is so poorly thought of by science historians, or the peculiar stupidity of the Nazis WRT science, this book has it all. I think it's important to remember the memes that this book brings up because history in general is often misinterpreted as this long, steady march from primitive to advanced. The history of science is probably interpreted this way even more than regular "drum and trumpet" style history. But in fact, history has all kinds of turnarounds, false starts, and failed hopes. It's worth remembering this kind of thing when faced with things like, for example, the current Presidential administration's tenuous grasp of nature. But yeah, that being said, Bush is kind of moronic when it comes to science but there's no way he was as bad as Hitler or Stalin in this regard. Forget about the purges or the Holocaust because that's not really what the author was speaking to either: Bush's policies, while bad, aren't anything close to Lysenkoism or the refusal to practice "Jewish physics". I can certainly understand a scientist's frustration with the last eight years. That being said, this book is going to look pretty dated in 5 years when Bush is little more than a disgraced former President. I notice that a lot of the negative reviews for this book come from the global warming denial crowd. IT'S CONTROVERSIAL MICHAEL CRICHTON TOLD ME SO WHERE IS MY VELOCIRAPTOR

Not a bad book, but a little over the top in places

Grant's _Corrupted Science_ gives several examples of how the scientific process, and scientific research, has been interfered with. Sometimes researchers fake results for various reasons ranging from flat out dishonesty, to pressure from co-workers or superiors. Scientists have also been so convinced that they are observing one thing, that they are resistant, even when proven wrong, to more accurate observations. In other cases, however, researchers are not permitted to present their results, or even continue to work on various projects because of outside pressures. These influences can come from societal factions, government, business, religious groups or even the scientific peer-review process itself (p. 219). Their influence can be as subtle as a mass media interpretation of a research project, or as direct as denial of funding, or as bad as direct threats to scientists' careers (or lives!) _Corrupted Science_ gives lots of examples. The usual classics are here (Cold Fusion, Intelligent Design, Piltdown Man, etc.) along with some that I had not heard of (N-rays anybody? How about Menstrual Rays?) But although some of the examples presented are downright comical, others are serious business (medical quackery, tobacco companies covering up the fact that smoking causes cancer, etc.) Of course the worst thing that can happen is outside forces (usually a government) becoming so powerful in general, and having such an undue influence over science, that only certain ideas are allowed to be promulgated; anything out of line with the government-sanctioned ideology is ruthlessly stamped out. The obvious examples given in the book are Hitler's Germany and Stalin's Russia. The author puts George W. Bush's anti-science activities (such as suppressing global warming research and promoting "creation science") in this category. Personally, I think that's a bit much; as bad as Mr. Bush's actions in this area are, they are more in line with those examples found in the "Ideology Trumps Science" chapter. (No one gets sent to Guantanamo Bay for opposing Bush's stand on global warming...at least yet....). Grant's politics peep out in various other places, particularly in the "Military Madness" and "Ideology Trumps Science" chapters. In general, there is a lot of material in this book's 336 pages. It may have flowed better in places if some of the examples were recategorized. (For example, was Pons and Fleischmann's "discovery" of cold fusion a matter of fraud, or was it more like the two scientists "seeing what they wanted to see"?) Anyone interested in the history of science, and its battles with other societal forces, should take a look at this book.

Realpolitik tries to hide the Scientific Truth+

This little book is packed with quite a bit of interesting informational topics, exposing political schemes to bend the truth about scientific logic.I agree with about ninty-five percent of his research findings.Yet,on a few topics he does not elaborate enough evidence to support his arguments.There are no foot-notes.There are many books listed to support his writing though.I would have given the book ,four and a half stars.I would still read it again for the vast wealth of information on scientific hoaxes,backed by shady business interests or political regimes of ill-repute.Sunlight is the best disinfectant and the truth will always shine.

NAILS THE CORRUPTION AND CALLS OUT THE CHARLATANS

This book challenges some of the most cherished "scientific" fallacies of the last 200 years--particularly those still in favor among religious fundamentalists, corporate power mongers, and political dictators. John Grant draws disturbing parallels between the leadership of Hitler, Stalin, and G.W. Bush. He also reveals how scientific research has been corrupted by academics seeking fame and/or money, and gives examples of how religious and political forces fight scientific advancements contrary to their own interests. It's not just in war that Truth is a casualty.