Not a Scientist: How Politicians Mistake, Misrepresent, and Utterly Mangle Science

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Dave Levitan

Not a Scientist

How Politicians Mistake, Misrepresent, and Utterly Mangle Science

Dave Levitan

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English

Norton
19 May 2017

Philosophy; Mathematics & Sciences

In 1980, Ronald Reagan created one of the most stupid talking points of all time: "I'm not a scientist, but..." Since then, politicians have repeatedly committed egregious transgressions against scientific knowledge prefaced by this seemingly innocuous phrase.

Yet, as science journalist Dave Levitan reveals, that line is just the tip of the melting iceberg when it comes to rhetorical tools wielded to attack scientific findings that don't cooperate with political agendas. Just listen to Mike Huckabee dismiss climate change as "a sunburn", Donald Trump suggest that vaccines cause autism or Todd Akin's infamous invention of "legitimate rape". With a taxonomer's eye, Levitan captures and categorises these deceptions by chapter, assigning delightful names like "The Butter-Up and Undercut", "The Literal Nitpick", "The Straight-Up Fabrication" and many more.

His sharp humour dismantles America's leaders' deceptive arguments while illuminating the real science behind the worst soundbites from these elected non-scientists.

By: Dave Levitan
Imprint: Norton
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 211mm, Width: 140mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 282g
ISBN: 9780393353327
ISBN 10: 039335332X
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 19 May 2017
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Dave Levitan is a journalist whose work has appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Scientific American, Slate, and many other outlets. He has a master's degree in science journalism from New York University and lives near Philadelphia with his wife.

Reviews for Not a Scientist: How Politicians Mistake, Misrepresent, and Utterly Mangle Science

Read this book. It's not just timely, it could save your future. -- Physics World It's a timely reference work-a kind of citizens' guide to identifying public untruths... -- The Irish Times He [Dave Levitan] vividly demonstrates the nuance in data collection, that scientists can make mistakes, and beautifully constructs a metaphor of the body of science being constructed and reconstructed via layers of studies and discoveries over time. -- Nature Astronomy ... deliciously mordant critique... A key handbook for an era of alternative facts and pressures on research. -- Nature