Periodically we review books relevant to science communication and climate change. Today is the book "Reality Check: How Science Deniers Threaten Our Future" by Donald R. Prothero published by Indiana University Press in 2013.
An author of over 30 books
on science, Donald R. Prothero compiles a series of case studies involving
denial of science and discusses how they endanger our future. Written
in a conversational, colloquial style and a somewhat folksy, often
condescending tone, the book lays out each chapter with the denier
misinformation and contrasts these with the reality.
The book could have
used much tighter editing - he's often repetitive and overtly
belittling of deniers - but provides exceptional arguments drawn from
his own experience and previous books to demonstrate the utter
ridiculousness of the anti-science views.
Topics covered include
acid rain, ozone hole, global warming, creationism/intelligent design,
anti-vaxxers (anti-vaccination), AIDS denialism, medical quacks,
astrology, peak oil deniers, and overpopulation. In early chapters and in a final
chapter he discusses the basis of science and why some groups more than
others are prone to science denial.
Overall, the book does an
excellent job of showing the lack of veracity in all science denial
arguments. Anyone interested in science, and the denial of science,
should put it high on their reading list.
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