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BBKing · 09-02-2009, 10:01

Two stories that anyone interested in science and the public realm ought to know about:

First, the DWP and Harrow Council apparently bought a system designed by a chap who claimed he could tell if benefit claimants were lying or not over the phone. On being examined by actual scientists, this didn't stand up:

http://yorksranter.wordpress.com/2009/02/07/snake-oil/
http://www.ministryoftruth.me.uk/200...n-and-the-dwp/

The inventors are threatening to call in the lawyers.

Meanwhile, on the MMR subject, Dr. Ben Goldacre, who specialises in debunking nonsense scienciness, is in trouble over an interview on LBC which he put on his website. In it, the usual MMR drivel is trotted out under the subject of 'concerned parent', where 'concerned parent' is evidently code for 'reckless moron'.

http://www.badscience.net/2009/02/le...caremongering/

LBC are threatening to call in the lawyers.

Spot the connection between the two?

09-02-2009, 10:01	#1
BBKing R.I.P. Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: London Services: 20Mb VM CM, Virgin TV Posts: 5,983	Bad Science x2 Two stories that anyone interested in science and the public realm ought to know about: First, the DWP and Harrow Council apparently bought a system designed by a chap who claimed he could tell if benefit claimants were lying or not over the phone. On being examined by actual scientists, this didn't stand up: http://yorksranter.wordpress.com/2009/02/07/snake-oil/ http://www.ministryoftruth.me.uk/200...n-and-the-dwp/ The inventors are threatening to call in the lawyers. Meanwhile, on the MMR subject, Dr. Ben Goldacre, who specialises in debunking nonsense scienciness, is in trouble over an interview on LBC which he put on his website. In it, the usual MMR drivel is trotted out under the subject of 'concerned parent', where 'concerned parent' is evidently code for 'reckless moron'. http://www.badscience.net/2009/02/le...caremongering/ LBC are threatening to call in the lawyers. Spot the connection between the two?