Monkeys, Myths, and Molecules

The so-called "junk science" is everywhere now. It's easy to see another alarming heading on a newsfeed, easy to share and yet hard to analyze, so this collection of short articles explaining common misunderstandings and misrepresentations, whether deliberate (I'll point at PETA's "chicken wing" statements here) or unintentional, is very welcome.

It's a good book for dipping into, one chapter at a time. It's also ideal for leaving in a communal area, or for chemistry teachers to inspire students and show the relevance of chemistry in the real world. (The point, as [book:Monkeys, Myths, and Molecules] shows, is that chemistry is everywhere, and rarely separated from the other sciences.)

Don't expect snappy "top ten" lists, but do expect straightforward explanations of the science behind the myth, and the flaws and fallacies. "Natural does not mean "healthy", but equally "scientific" does not mean "right", and Schwarcz debunks some of the more pervasive myths on fairly much every topic from food to health and the history of medicine. He educates us with real science, giving practical solutions (or real issues to worry about). There's enough science for geeks, but it's easily understood - or skipped - for a layman. (My eyes did glaze a little during some of the more detailed explanations.)

And it's not just scientific debunking. Quite often it's just a matter of pointing out statistical fallacies or misrepresentations, such as 65% decreases that sound wonderful... until you realize the original figure was miniscule to begin with.

He doesn't hesitate to call out fear-mongering celebrities such as Dr. Oz and The Food Babe who mangle science in an effort to garner publicity, instead filling us with facts to delight random trivia buffs. It's almost like a guided tour through a "Popular Science" wiki. He points out the hypocrisy of human thinking, where we'll studiously avoid "chemicals" in one area and then saturate ourselves in them somewhere else, and the irresponsibility of manipulating data and studies to fit an agenda, and isn't averse to admitting that sometimes we just don't have an answer... yet.

In short, it's about putting science in context, understanding the hype, and having some awareness of how statistics can be manipulated. The writing seems balanced, and is easy to read. Each segment can be read in isolation, having its own introduction and snappy finish, offering a clear conclusion where possible. Schwarcz might be considered the Bill Bryson for chemistry.

There's a good index at the end, too, so you can easily find the science to refute whatever histrionic scare might pop up next.