Staff Book and Media Recommendations

Patrick Douglas is a Library Technician at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Denialism: How Irrational Thinking Hinders Scientific Progress, Harms the Planet, and Threatens Our Lives

Michael Specter

Every scientific discovery has its detractors, some whose opinions stem from actual concern and some who simply desire profit or attention. Until very recently science has been perceived as the method through which we gain information, a supplier of knowledge. Today, however, there are entire communities that denounce one proven benefit or another, their voices louder and more influential than ever, due mostly to new media, such as the internet.

Michael Specter's Denialism takes a look at the reasons people have lost faith in the scientific community. In some instances, there are profound, justified - even if incorrect - reasons for not trusting science. But many of the causes of this mass exodus from the everyday belief in medicine and technology are rooted in superstition and misinformation. Either way, these groups spread their belief systems to eager audiences who are ill-prepared to discover the facts for themselves, turning small protests into full-scale movements.

Denialism includes discussions on why people fear science, the anti-vaccine panic, organic foods, natural cures, genetics and the fear of racial discrimination, and synthetic biology (biotechnology). While the topics get very detailed as each chapter progresses, the basic information on each is meted out early on. Readers may choose to move on to the next chapter halfway through the current one without missing the crux of an argument. This is an interesting compilation of related subject matter - backed by scientific evidence and illustrated by detailed descriptions of actual events - that promises to enlighten the public and perhaps help individuals think more objectively and steer clear of irrational group thinking.

Reviewed October 2010