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Merchants of Doubt by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway.. Really, the willful destruction of respect for and understanding of science has got to be one of the crowning achievements of the late great 20th century. C’mon, push back a little! Read this book. – Joel Gardner, LitSnap Editor |
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"As the science of global warming has grown more certain over the last two decades, the attack on that science has grown more shrill; this volume helps explain that paradox, and not only for climate change. A fascinating account of a very thorny problem." – Bill McKibben "In their fascinating and important study, Merchants of Doubt, Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway offer convincing evidence for a surprising and disturbing thesis. Opposition to scientifically well-supported claims about the dangers of cigarette smoking, the difficulties of the Strategic Defense Initiative ("Star Wars"), the effects of acid rain, the existence of the ozone hole, the problems caused by secondhand smoke, and—ultimately—the existence of anthropogenic climate change was used in "the service of political goals and commercial interests" to obstruct the transmission to the American public of important information…Because it is so thorough in disclosing how major policy decisions have been delayed or distorted, Merchants of Doubt deserves a wide readership. It is tempting to require that all those engaged in the business of conveying scientific information to the general public should read it." – Science |
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Author bio: Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway, historians of science, roll back the rug on this dark corner of the American scientific community, showing how ideology and corporate interests, aided by a too-compliant media, have skewed public understanding of some of the most pressing issues of our era. More information can be found here: http://www.bloomsburypress.com/books/catalog/merchants_of_doubt_hc_104 |
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Book Details: Science/Technology; (368 pp. Obfusclamatory: Kindle/Audiobook/Print editions) Publisher Website: http://www.bloomsburypress.com/books/catalog/merchants_of_doubt_hc_104 |
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