Andrew Orlowski explains how we keep falling for junk science through media exposure:
Firstly. An obscure researcher or scientist will make a dramatic claim.
The media picks up on this, and a reporter is assigned to the story. The reporter will have no scientific background — but looks to the state and the bureaucracy to do something. Anything.
The hapless minister is then hauled on to explain the inaction. He will be intelligent — he is likely to have a PPE from Oxford, like the presenter — but no specialist knowledge. He, too, trusts the scientists.
A pledge is then made to increase funding for the scientist who makes the claim.
A pledge is also made to act — by introducing legislation or other regulations. Perhaps a task force or committee will also be involved:
Illustrations: Andy DaviesThe bandwagon is now rolling.
