Science and Technology? Issues in Science and Technology

Agenda Blogs Latest News Science vs. Psuedoscience

AOL Releases Search Terms Database of search terms entered by users 650,000 users ID number instead of names Easily identifiable Removed, but copied

What is Pseudoscience? “Pseudo” = artificial Attempts to gain legitimacy by imitating scientific methods Start with answer –Find data to support –Ignore conflicting evidence

Example Ivory soap - "99.44/100% Pure: It Floats“ Mixture is unidentified – what’s “pure”? What does “floating” have to due with purity? –Air bubbles mixed in – therefore impure –A boat floats, is it “pure”?

Criteria for Determining Pseudoscience Is anecdotal evidence cited? –Individual stories, testimonies –Testimonial statements not FTC regulated Does the claim fit with existing knowledge? What kind of reasoning has been used? –Post hoc, ergo propter hoc –“After this, therefore because of this” Baloney Detection Collection

Criteria for Determining Pseudoscience Is it possible to test the claim? –Elimination of plausible influences Are sources cited? –Unbiased –Credible If sampled, how was the sample obtained? Baloney Detection Collection

Criteria for Determining Pseudoscience Is “conspiracy theory” used to support claims? –Doctors –The government –Big corporations Baloney Detection Collection

Criteria Anecdotal evidence? Fit with existing knowledge? Reasoning? Possible to test? Sources cited? How was the sample obtained? Conspiracy theory?

Examples Q-Link All Energy Center

Intelligent Design Organic life is so complicated that an external “Designer” must be accepted Theory of Evolution is flawed Conspiracy of “Secular Humanism” Discovery Institute

Intelligent Design Begins with a conclusion Conspiracy – “Teach the Debate!” –No real debate “Wedge” memo Dover PA. School Board –“Creationism in Sheep’s Clothing”

Kansas Science Standards Science no longer limited to the investigation of natural phenomenon Theory of evolution taught as “controversial”

Georgia Textbook Sticker This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered."

For Tues. Question of the Week View assigned websites - Skepticism