The Jordan Harbinger Show 436: Stuart Ritchie | The Science Fictions Undermining Facts
Nov 24, 2020
Stuart Ritchie, a lecturer at King’s College London and author of "Science Fictions," tackles the troubling landscape of misconduct in scientific research. He discusses how hype around bad studies overshadows significant findings, and how flawed incentives can lead to fraud. Ritchie emphasizes the importance of spotting bad science and advocates for the Open Science movement as a remedy. He also reveals the dangers of biases in peer review and historical misuses of science in totalitarian regimes, calling for more transparency and accountability in research.
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Psychic Porn Study
- Daryl Bem, a respected social psychologist, published a paper suggesting psychic abilities related to porn.
- Cornell undergraduates supposedly sensed porn behind curtains at a rate slightly above chance.
Publication Bias
- Most published scientific studies have positive results, creating publication bias.
- Journals often prefer flashy, positive results over replications or studies with negative findings.
Evaluating Science Claims
- Evaluate scientific claims by considering sample size, author bias, and independent reviews.
- Check social media, Reddit, Pubpeer, and seek expert opinions for diverse perspectives.
