Denialism: How Irrational Thinking Harms the Planet and Threatens Our Lives Audiobook

" A noticeable trend in medicine and politics towards anti-scientific, vaccine-avoiding, anecdotal-based thinking had been alarming enough for me to pick this up and learn more. I certainly don't disagree with the premise that irrational thinking is hindering the progress of science. But haphazard chapter development, some strong categorically dismissive opinions, and lousy citation format kept the book firmly rooted in journalism rather than science. It's too bad; this could have been a great read-- and a much needed eye-opener. Instead, the author parrots the same zealous attitude from the other side of the coin. "

" fantastic, a mind changer. anyone who distrusts science and sides with their gut should do themselves (and the rest of us) a favor by reading this. "

" Recommended reading. Specter does not pull any punches with this book. Prepare to have some (or many!) of your beliefs challenged if you read it. He makes great points, though--so many ideas in our present culture, spurred on by the abundance of completely unfounded "information" on the internet, completely ignore scientific fact. Just because an idea is popular and seems progressive does not make it true. Some hot button issues are challenged in this book, including anti-immunization hysteria, starvation vs. GMO's, and why it's foolish to hate Big Pharma. "

" Meh. Nothing very new or interesting here "

" I planned on skimming this book, but it turned out to be interestingly written and interesting, especially the chapters about autism and GMOs. "

" This is a good description of what is happening with some good examples, all from the medicinal world. But that's about as far as it goes. Without more of an exploration into how we got to this stage, or any follow up as to the approach scientist in general should take when confronted with the Jennys of the world. I advocate a more aggressive approach than the rolling over and pandering to the superstitious mob I've grown used to seeing. So with just a description of what is happening it seems like a whole book of just a rant. I guess that's what the title promised, but I expected more. "

" Lucid, informative, engaging, and insightful. Overall, an enjoyable and educational experience. These, in addition to conveying an exceptionally important message, which is sitting in its rightfully prominent place on the cover. "

" Loved it. The end of the last chapter got a little silly, but I will overlook that. This was full of interesting information, well reasoned, and overall a great introduction to some foolish notions floating around our world. "

" Some really interesting topics and I agree that there is a problem with people outright dismissing the scientific community. I believe in science. The book did have some rather blah sections though. "

" good book to read,breezed through this one relatively fast. Michael puts forward arguments that denial of science is not rational,it is due to fear, ignorance and misconseption between cause and effect. "

" Interesting, if unwaveringly dismissive of any and all moral and ethical concerns about playing with genes, creating new life forms, and completely altering the entire biosphere in infinitely less time than our ancestors could have ever dreams. "

" Science is cool?! "

" Scary and exciting book. Nothing could be done, but for evolution to take its course: idiocy will kill reason and die out after, or idiocy die out before reason and some cosmic disaster will eradicate humanity, or idiocy will drug everything and everybody to extinction ( which is more likely) "

" An interesting perspective on why people ignore (or fear) scientific evidence. Specter's most effective chapter takes on the anti-vaccine crowd (rightfully so - I mean, who takes Jenny McCarthy seriously?). "

" A much needed book in an age of irrational thinking. These days, too many people are more willing to listen to a Playboy Playmate than the rational advice of the scientific community. Unfortunately, those probably won't be the people that read this book. "

" If you follow science news, about 1/2 the book will be familiar ground. But really well written. "

" Fairly interesting, but the authorial attitude was sometimes hard to get passed. The introduction makes him seem like a crank, but he's fairly level in the main text. "