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Before we get too deep into 2006, we thought we'd take one last look at some of the ways in which the media got it wrong in 2005. Rebecca Goldin, director of research for George Mason University's Statistical Assessment Service, recounts some of the year's most egregious examples for Bob.
A recent poll showed that despite a robust worldwide debate, most Americans know little to nothing about genetically-modified food. That despite the increasing inundation of our shelves with the stuff. Brooke discusses the dearth of GM consciousness with Pew Initiative on Food & Biotechnology executive director Michael Fernandez, and with food and environment writer Michael Pollan.
When it comes to murder mysteries, good writing is all in the details. How do authors unfamiliar with real-life gore get the particulars just right? By asking an expert, of course. Dr. Robb Bettiker, an infectious disease specialist and advisor to would-be mystery writers, joins Brooke to discuss the bridge between biological truth and fictional blood 'n guts
Recalls of popular drugs like Vioxx and Celebrex raise questions about how smart it is for drug companies to bypass doctors and hawk their wares directly to consumers on TV. Some claim the $4 billion spent annually on the ads increase awareness of treatments; others say the result is an overmedicated public clamoring for pills. Brooke consults with Jim Davidson, counsel to the Advertising Coalition, about the ethics of direct-to-consumer ads.
In the previous interview with David Plotz, you might have noticed that Bob invoked the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. He used it to convey the idea that observers necessarily affect the outcome of whatever they observe. But it turns out that Bob's fluency with science analogies is somewhat lacking, and a Nexis search shows he's not the only one. Scientific American editor in chief John Rennie joins Bob to clear up the confusion.
In much of Africa, the media's role in combating HIV/AIDS has been confined for many years to the bloodless recitation of government statistics - reporting that's done little to increase public awareness. Enter Internews, a group that trains local journalists to better understand the underlying science of the epidemic and to report on it from a more human perspective. Bob speaks with Internews advisors Cece Fadope and Mia Malan, resident advisors in Nigeria and Kenya.
Since 1845, Scientific American has offered readers compelling articles that are, admittedly, partial. Partial, that is, in favor of science. But all that may soon change. In an editorial dated April 1st, editor-in-chief John Rennie wondered if perhaps the magazine should, in proper journalistic fashion, get a little balance. After all, if you believe some politicians, global warming is a hoax. Rennie lets Brooke in on the joke.
John Stossel, co-host of ABC's 20/20, has consistently been a vocal skeptic of the dangers posed by global warming. And his show has featured scientists and fiction writers who echo his skepticism. When we spoke to journalist and author Ross Gelbspan about global warming last year, he warned us about Stossel's ilk. Brooke gives Stossel a chance to refute Gelbspan's claims that global warming is irrefutable. ARTIST: Soul Coughing TRACK: Soft Serve ALBUM: Irresistible Bliss LABEL: Warner Brothers BREAK I: ARTIST: Ben Allison & Medicine Wheel TRACK: Love Chant Ring Necks ALBUM: Riding the Nuclear Tiger LABEL: Palmetto Jazz
