David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
Think of the children, not the evidence
by Vaughan, Mind Hacks
February 25, 2009
The BBC's flagship news analysis programme Newsnight featured a hefty segment on the "Facebook causes cancer / the end of the world as we know it" nonsense that recently hit the headlines. The Beeb invited alarmist psychologist Aric Sigman on the show but, God bless 'em, they also invited Bad Science author Ben Goldacre who did a great job of countering the drivel. And due to wonders of the internet you can see the whole interview on YouTube:
YouTube - Newsnight Goldacre Sigman BBC2 20090224
The segment also features neuroscientist Susan Greenfield who has recently taken to warning everybody (including in the House of Lords believe it or not) about the 'neurological dangers' of children using the internet - based entirely on her own prejudices and in the absence of any good evidence.
She is featured in the TV report where, rather bizarrely, she admits there is no evidence but then goes on to warn of the dangers.
The debate between Goldacre and Sigman is pure TV gold, not least for watching Goldacre's facial expressions.
Ben has also written-up the episode and put load of links and background material on Bad Science.
by Vaughan, Mind Hacks
February 25, 2009
The BBC's flagship news analysis programme Newsnight featured a hefty segment on the "Facebook causes cancer / the end of the world as we know it" nonsense that recently hit the headlines. The Beeb invited alarmist psychologist Aric Sigman on the show but, God bless 'em, they also invited Bad Science author Ben Goldacre who did a great job of countering the drivel. And due to wonders of the internet you can see the whole interview on YouTube:
YouTube - Newsnight Goldacre Sigman BBC2 20090224
The segment also features neuroscientist Susan Greenfield who has recently taken to warning everybody (including in the House of Lords believe it or not) about the 'neurological dangers' of children using the internet - based entirely on her own prejudices and in the absence of any good evidence.
She is featured in the TV report where, rather bizarrely, she admits there is no evidence but then goes on to warn of the dangers.
The debate between Goldacre and Sigman is pure TV gold, not least for watching Goldacre's facial expressions.
Ben has also written-up the episode and put load of links and background material on Bad Science.
