Doomsday type sensationalist science in the media, examples +counter arguments wanted

[Zeuzzz]

My friend and I are making a media project for uni of short selection of 8-10 min clips of cases where the sensationalist media, or general lack of scientific understanding in the general population, or people fixated on misusing science for their religious doomsday prophecies, have lead many people to fear/worry science and create a lot of the anti-science mentality we see today. The first half of each clips are the sensationalist argument, the second the way science could save us; not hinder us.

The first clip he has made was about mass coronal ejections and the resulting chaos they could cause to all electronic based systems and satellites. Which was countered by two new novel theories that could overcome such an event (completed)

The second hes started is about the anti-vax movement and UK vaccines cause MRSA fiasco, countered with a brilliant clip from Charlie brookers newswatch that explains the science perfectly (completed)

We need a few more examples of media sensationalism of major dangers we should fear where they over hyped the concern and ignored the science; and also the science theories that could easily solve them (or have). Mainly as his project, but also to help educate science naive people that sometimes worry themselves sick over things they don’t need to. Just suggestions are welcome, but if you can link to a documentary that you know has a sensationalist scare tactic type segment we could use, or the real science to counter it, that would save us a lot of time! The more widely known ones the better.

Other ideas:

* Catastrophic meteor impacts and potential science based theories to avoid the situation.
* Homoeopathy claims, and what the science says. (funnier the better)
* Global warming sensationism examples, and what novel scientific methods are being developed to combat it.
* Pollution in general and landfill sites, what theories have been suggested to overcome polluting of the seas, safely get rid of excess methane in landfills, disposing of un-recyclable rubbish.
* Anti medicine sentiment examples, and how studies show them wrong.
* The popular "Rising sea levels will flood most of the earth in a few hundred years unless we all stop driving". Countered by arguments of the complexity of the climate system and other factors for sea level rise.

Any extra ideas appreciated, especially direct video clips/documentaries. Basically any sort of science based project thats inherently altruistic in its scope.

Also he's planning on making a second series after this of how when science mixes too closely with business and profit what disasterous effects it can have. But thats a way off yet.

Many thanks.

[steve s]

Iben Browning. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iben_Browning)

Browning received notoriety for his erroneous prediction that a major earthquake would occur on the New Madrid Fault around December 2 and 3, 1990.[1] This prediction was widely reported in the national media and caused considerable concern among residents of the Mississippi Valley. No seismic activity was recorded in that area on those dates. [1]

He created quite a stir here in the midwest. He based his prediction on an alignment of several planets causing increased stress on the earth. Dozens of media outlets descended upon New Madrid for the fateful day. Nuthin' happened.

There was one local weatherman who did a wonderful debunking of Browning's prediction by pointing out that a cold front moving across the region exerts much more pressure on the earth's crust than would be caused by the planets.

ETA: Here's a brief article about it. (Scroll down to where it says "Finally, guest criticism from the geological sciences department at Northwestern University.")

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1990-11-25/features/9004070759_1_gay-community-gay-world-windy-city-times/2
Steve S

[quarky]

We are doomed.

I hope you include that part.

At least, as individuals.

Doomsday scenarios help distract certain types from the inevitability of their personal doom. Its soothing to focus on the end of the world, when its really just your world that is doomed. Same as its always been.

[Cuddles]

I don't have any specific video clips in mind, but you should be able to find plenty about the whole LHC creating black holes (http://www.hasthelhcdestroyedtheearth.com/) thing.

[Trakar]

My friend and I are making a media project for uni of short selection of 8-10 min clips of cases where the sensationalist media, or general lack of scientific understanding in the general population, or people fixated on misusing science for their religious doomsday prophecies, have lead many people to fear/worry science and create a lot of the anti-science mentality we see today. The first half of each clips are the sensationalist argument, the second the way science could save us; not hinder us.

The first clip he has made was about mass coronal ejections and the resulting chaos they could cause to all electronic based systems and satellites. Which was countered by two new novel theories that could overcome such an event (completed)

The second hes started is about the anti-vax movement and UK vaccines cause MRSA fiasco, countered with a brilliant clip from Charlie brookers newswatch that explains the science perfectly (completed)

We need a few more examples of media sensationalism of major dangers we should fear where they over hyped the concern and ignored the science; and also the science theories that could easily solve them (or have). Mainly as his project, but also to help educate science naive people that sometimes worry themselves sick over things they don’t need to. Just suggestions are welcome, but if you can link to a documentary that you know has a sensationalist scare tactic type segment we could use, or the real science to counter it, that would save us a lot of time! The more widely known ones the better.

Other ideas:

* Catastrophic meteor impacts and potential science based theories to avoid the situation.
* Homoeopathy claims, and what the science says. (funnier the better)
* Global warming sensationism examples, and what novel scientific methods are being developed to combat it.
* Pollution in general and landfill sites, what theories have been suggested to overcome polluting of the seas, safely get rid of excess methane in landfills, disposing of un-recyclable rubbish.
* Anti medicine sentiment examples, and how studies show them wrong.
* The popular "Rising sea levels will flood most of the earth in a few hundred years unless we all stop driving". Countered by arguments of the complexity of the climate system and other factors for sea level rise.

Any extra ideas appreciated, especially direct video clips/documentaries. Basically any sort of science based project thats inherently altruistic in its scope.

Also he's planning on making a second series after this of how when science mixes too closely with business and profit what disasterous effects it can have. But thats a way off yet.

Many thanks.

At the least, with your conceptual argument examples, you need to be careful and specific with the supposed "sensationalism" and precisely which claims you are addressing and most importantly the character and quality of the evidences and addressments you are presenting as reasonable solutions or addressments. In at least a few of the examples you have listed it isn't apparent that such care is being applied. I speak specifically in regards to the climate change issues. There are definitely some exagerations to be found, but they are far from representative of general perceptions or presentations of the very real and expected problems associated with climate change which projects 3-6o C of global average temp. increase and 1-2 meters of sea level rise over the next century. Depending upon our actions over the next century, the rates and degree of climate change beyond a century from now will either continue to increase, or begin to stabilize and perhaps even plateau. Regardless, make sure that you research carefully and accurately represent the mainstream science positions and understandings.

[mhaze]

My friend and I are making a media project for uni of short selection of 8-10 min clips of cases where the sensationalist media, or general lack of scientific understanding in the general population, or people fixated on misusing science for their religious doomsday prophecies, have lead many people to fear/worry science and create a lot of the anti-science mentality we see today. The first half of each clips are the sensationalist argument, the second the way science could save us; not hinder us.

The first clip he has made was about mass coronal ejections and the resulting chaos they could cause to all electronic based systems and satellites. Which was countered by two new novel theories that could overcome such an event (completed)

The second hes started is about the anti-vax movement and UK vaccines cause MRSA fiasco, countered with a brilliant clip from Charlie brookers newswatch that explains the science perfectly (completed)

We need a few more examples of media sensationalism of major dangers we should fear where they over hyped the concern and ignored the science; and also the science theories that could easily solve them (or have). Mainly as his project, but also to help educate science naive people that sometimes worry themselves sick over things they don’t need to. Just suggestions are welcome, but if you can link to a documentary that you know has a sensationalist scare tactic type segment we could use, or the real science to counter it, that would save us a lot of time! The more widely known ones the better.

Other ideas:

* Catastrophic meteor impacts and potential science based theories to avoid the situation.
* Homoeopathy claims, and what the science says. (funnier the better)
* Global warming sensationism examples, and what novel scientific methods are being developed to combat it.
* Pollution in general and landfill sites, what theories have been suggested to overcome polluting of the seas, safely get rid of excess methane in landfills, disposing of un-recyclable rubbish.
* Anti medicine sentiment examples, and how studies show them wrong.
* The popular "Rising sea levels will flood most of the earth in a few hundred years unless we all stop driving". Countered by arguments of the complexity of the climate system and other factors for sea level rise.

Any extra ideas appreciated, especially direct video clips/documentaries. Basically any sort of science based project thats inherently altruistic in its scope.

Also he's planning on making a second series after this of how when science mixes too closely with business and profit what disasterous effects it can have. But thats a way off yet.

Many thanks.The very BEST EXAMPLE of sensationalist media presenting something sciency way wrong is going to be climate science. This is defacto approved of by many who are believers, such as Trakker himself, in the above post. However, it is nonetheless what you are looking for and there are countless good examples on Youtube.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATTknP8t7JU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXvpDoGrRGU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLt0myO8XsA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOSsIIxQ_dE

[Zeuzzz]

Thanks Mhaze, using some of those clips now.

If anyone has any info (in support or contradicting) the "going in the sun will give u skin cancer" argument that would be great too.

I'm sure that people worry about this far more than they need to.

[Cuddles]

If anyone has any info (in support or contradicting) the "going in the sun will give u skin cancer" argument that would be great too.

I'm sure that people worry about this far more than they need to.

http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/archive/pressrelease/2009-04-08-deadly-skin-cancer-now-threatens-women-in-their-twenties
The deadliest form of skin cancer has now become the most common kind of cancer for women in their 20s

And for women in their thirties melanoma has risen to be the third most common cancer after breast and cervix.

By the year 2024 Cancer Research UK statisticians predict that malignant melanoma will be the fourth most common cancer for men and for women - of all ages

The absolute numbers aren't huge compared to things like traffic deaths and alcohol, but for something that's entirely within your control and is so easily avoided, I'd say most people actually don't worry about it anywhere near enough.

Incidentally, that site has a lot of information both about cancer and science in general in the media, and about what to look for and how to spot nonsense. http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerandresearch/fact_or_fiction/

Sadly, I also have to agree with Mhaze here. His denial of the actual science is in parts sad and hilarious, but climate science is a great example of how people who accept reality can go ridiculously too far in trying to convince everyone else, also of how unscrupulous types can use the appearance of agreement to push their own agendas.

[NobbyNobbs]

I think the "cell phones give you cancer" thing is making a resurgence.

[quarky]

Tick born diseases are getting pretty hot, at least on this side of the pond. A few of them are hard to diagnose and hard to treat, and the ticks are expanding their ranges. They also seem to be evolving resistance to chemicals that use to kill them.

[Zeuzzz]

I think the "cell phones give you cancer" thing is making a resurgence.

That one will be nice, just watched a documentary on that. Its total BS when you look at meta analysis.

Point taken cuddles, maybe not the best idea for a topic.

Whats the consensus on people who claim research shows that different races and ethnicities of people have markedly different IQs ? Se em to remember a stir about the research into this, with accusations of racism and cultural bias in the tests. I'm guessing that most people think that IQ is a spurious way to measure intelligence thus results derived from it are pretty much useless ?

[Zeuzzz]

Tick born diseases are getting pretty hot, at least on this side of the pond. A few of them are hard to diagnose and hard to treat, and the ticks are expanding their ranges. They also seem to be evolving resistance to chemicals that use to kill them.


*Waits in anticpation for Americas "war on killer ticks" to be declared*

Is this considered more of a threat than say worldwide virus's like bird flu ?

[Trakar]

*Waits in anticpation for Americas "war on killer ticks" to be declared*

Is this considered more of a threat than say worldwide virus's like bird flu ?

Should probably feature some of the more common misconception/misportrayal issues like:

Contraception causes abortions and prostate cancer.

That women are technically pregnant before sperm and egg-cell unite and before the fertilized egg has implanted into the uterine wall.

That colleges are liberal indoctrination mills. (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/04/opinion/sunday/college-doesnt-make-you-liberal.html)

That cutting taxes on the wealthy creates jobs (economic science - TED talk - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBx2Y5HhplI&feature=player_embedded )

(but I guess these last two are dependent upon whether or not you consider the social sciences as science.)

[CapelDodger]

http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/archive/pressrelease/2009-04-08-deadly-skin-cancer-now-threatens-women-in-their-twenties


The absolute numbers aren't huge compared to things like traffic deaths and alcohol ...

They could even be falling but more slowly than in other cancers where ranking applies.

... but for something that's entirely within your control and is so easily avoided, I'd say most people actually don't worry about it anywhere near enough.

There's money to be made, and from my perusal of commercial TV the message is being put across strongly, not least when it comes to children.

[CapelDodger]

I think the "cell phones give you cancer" thing is making a resurgence.

They've been around long enough that there should be some signal emerging from the data. If there was, someone would surely have tweeted about it.