Science Fictions Paid-only Episode 8: The science of Johann Hari
May 21, 2024
Journalist Johann Hari, known for his books on addiction, depression, attention, and obesity, is discussed in this podcast. Topics include Hari's career transition to science writing, controversies surrounding his work, plagiarism accusations, and the complexities of journalism ethics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
From Columnist To Science Bestseller
- Johann Hari transformed from a politics/lifestyle columnist into a prominent science writer whose books reach wide audiences.
- Tom and Stuart view this shift as significant for how science is communicated by popular journalists.
Errors In 'Magic Pill' Spark Attention
- Tom reviewed Hari's recent book Magic Pill for the Guardian and reported factual errors that drew public attention.
- A dispute arose when Hari claimed Jay Rayner had taken Ozempic, which Rayner denied, triggering scrutiny of other errors.
Good Prose Can Mask Weak Rigor
- The hosts see Hari's case as raising broader questions about science writing standards and journalistic rigor.
- They suggest popular, readable prose can mask methodological problems in science communication.