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Brian Cox: It's not acceptable to promote bad science

(43 Posts)
Bags Thu 04-Oct-12 10:32:51

Since we still don't have a Science Forum [humph emoticon!], I'll post this link to a wonderful talk by Brian Cox here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7BTqKeP6Ks&feature=youtube_gdata_player

gracesmum Thu 04-Oct-12 15:47:06

Oh I heard part of that programme on the radio in the car, but I'm afraid I lost patience when she started to accuse doctors of a conspiracy of silence.

whenim64 Thu 04-Oct-12 15:54:40

Yes, that's the one gracesmum. She talked absolute twaddle and kept speaking over the doctor, who came across as knowledgeable and aware of scientific evidence for contesting her ridiculous claims.

JO4 Thu 04-Oct-12 16:04:57

Read it.

Yes, we need more investment in teaching physics at our universities.

Yes, physics is very important. And will be in the future.

I liked the comparison of homeopathic medicine with an aeroplane flying on the memory of fuel. Very good.

Nobody really believes all the stuff the Daily Mail puts out. Just like no ordinary person really knows what the Large Hadron Collider is all about. Well, if we do get our heads round it for fifteen seconds, it seems to go out of our minds very quickly!

Riveting stuff. hmm

Ella46 Thu 04-Oct-12 16:06:21

You just couldn't resist it could you when ? grin
Did you think that DM readers wouldn't be watching? grin grin

Ana Thu 04-Oct-12 16:08:09

Sharon Parsons isn't the editor of Top Santé any more, when, it's Ellie Hughes.

whenim64 Thu 04-Oct-12 16:26:19

Ooops! My mistake Ana. I didn't hear the name, just looked up editor of Top Sante and saw that Sharon Parsons had been editor before and then returned. but whether it's her or Ellie Hughes, she is one annoying woman! grin

Ella Shhhh....I thought I had sneaked that one in grin

Ana Thu 04-Oct-12 16:35:54

But....does Ellie Hughes write for the DM? wink

whenim64 Thu 04-Oct-12 16:46:39

Ahhh! You got me there Ana. I don't know so I retract that particular insult comment! grin

Ana Thu 04-Oct-12 16:48:45

I'm sure all our DM readers will be very pleased, when! grin

JessM Thu 04-Oct-12 16:54:24

Well what I listened to was:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01n11xb/Inside_Health_What_Doctors_Dont_Tell_You_hepatitis_E_vertigo/

Which also had an American woman with a horrid accent talking over a doctor. Here is the summary from the website:

The latest addition to the burgeoning ranks of health magazines on the newsagent's shelves is called What Doctors Don't Tell You. The headlines on the front of this month's edition promise to help you sunbathe your diabetes away, end your child's wheezing without drugs, reverse bone loss for good, and avoid hysterectomy by changing your diet. Lynne McTaggart who edits the magazine with her husband responds to the views of Inside Health's resident GP, Dr Margaret McCartney.

Greatnan Thu 04-Oct-12 17:06:47

The homeopathy establishment tried to stifle evidence and debate by threatening legal action - this is a ploy being used more and more often.

whenim64 Thu 04-Oct-12 17:16:39

Wll now I completely confused Jess because the woman sounds the same as you describe but I heard her introduced as editor of Top Sante and she was explaining that she wrote several of the criticised articles herself. I can't be more precise as I was driving and had just turned over from Radio 3 to 4, so didn't note the programme. Definitely an American with a horrid accent, though, talking with a male doctor, not female. I was driving between 9 and 9.20 am, then between 3.30 and 4 pm yesterday. Puzzling! hmm

JessM Thu 04-Oct-12 17:21:59

Well MP did refer to Top Sante I think - which is a familiar title. I had never heard of WDDTY.
Take care. Pity you can't come to Brum. cupcake

Ana Thu 04-Oct-12 17:38:22

I think the American woman must have been Lynne McTaggart

www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/oct/03/health-magazine-sue-simon-singh-twitter

Although Ms McCartney might be, too!

JessM Thu 04-Oct-12 18:54:44

No DR McCartney was , if I recall, from Scotland.
This is her blog with lots more info about why the stories in the mag were wrong:

www.margaretmccartney.com/blog/

Oldgreymare Thu 04-Oct-12 20:18:36

Thankyou Bags.
I particularly liked Brian Cox, quoting Humphrey Davey(sp?), in his summing up:
'... Nothing is more fatal to the progress of the human mind than to presume that our views of science are ultimate, that our triumphs are complete, that there are no mysteries in nature and that there are no new worlds to conquer.'
(I think I wrote it down correctly, speed writing is NOT one of my strengths!)

Oldgreymare Thu 04-Oct-12 20:24:20

P.S. He's good to look at too!
Interesting to note that he was once the member of a pop group, who recorded 'Things can only get better' used in a Labour Party conference some time ago. hmm