By |

15016378_1006092082833898_6387847032991830047_o

It should come as no surprise that in addition to my interest in fact checking, I’m a big fan of science. I trust the scientific method, as long as it’s used properly and tested and backed up by further study. I highly recommend the podcast “Science Vs”. Each episode takes on a new (often controversial) subject and goes into the science about it, but on a level a layperson can understand.

Two recent ones I found very helpful were “Detoxing and cleanses – Do they work?” and “Vaccines – Are they safe?”.

Never ask me if I am interested in trying a cleanse. Last time I tried one I ended up puking on the floor. And the science just doesn’t hold up. (Check the podcast above.)  Also, I keep my kids fully vaccinated. Whatever minimal risks there are (and they are extremely minimal), it’s nothing to the dangers of whooping cough or measles. It’s also insulting to the parents of kids with special needs to imply that it’s better to risk your kids die of a horrible disease than possibly have autism (and there is NO LINK between autism and vaccines anyway–that is debunked).

 

By |

Another problem on the internet (and beyond) is the existence of so-called think tanks and research organizations that don’t do actual bonafide and tested research or follow the scientific method, but instead arrange “evidence” that backs up the ideas they want to promote. Then politicians, unethical journalists, and others use their work to prop up their own ideas.

Here’s a good article from Wired about this.

One organization I’ve seen lately is the American College of Pediatricians–not to be confused with the legit American Academy of Pediatrics, which props up ideas for anti-LGBT  groups. Here’s an article from Psychology Today about them and another from Patheos.  They are extensively cited by groups listed as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center. They should not be confused with the AAP if you see them mentioned online.