WHAT A SHAME- A look at the low points in the modern media. PSEUDOSCIENCE ON TELEVISION- LOGIC AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD NEED NOT APPLY. PT 16.

So What Should You Look For, in Identifying PSEUDOSCIENCE PROGRAMMING?  What can Tip You Off that what follows on the TV Screen may not be Genuine Science, Real Research, or Lacks any real Intellectual Depth?

Well, There are a Few Red Flags that may become apparent Quite 

quickly, and others that are more subtle.  

Lets Take a Look.

#1-  SHOW PROMOTES THE FOLLOWING:

"NEW INFORMATION THAT WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING."

Sorry to Disappoint Those who sit on the Edge of Their Seat, waiting

for THE REAL TRUTH TO BE EXPOSED, BUT THIS IS JUST A 

SIMPLISITIC PLOY TO LURE IN VIEWERS.

Contrary to what your Told on the Screen, Genuine Discoveries 

are not made by individuals who are lucky enough to be holding a Camera 

at the Time.

UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES EMPLOY BIOLOGISTS,

ANTHROPOLOGISTS, ARCHAEOLOGISTS ETC, WHO INVESTIGATE

POSSIBLE "CREDIBLE" EVIDENCE THAT IS STUDIED, ANALYZED,

AND SUBJECTED TO PEER REVIEW.  A TENTATIVE HYPOTHESIS 

IS OFFERED THAT BEST EXPLAINS THE AVAILABLE DATA.

Does this Mean that Someone Unaffiliated with Academia should be Ignored?

Of course not. Many People Enjoy the Intellectual Thrill and Challenge of 

Finding New Things That Will Increase Mankinds Knowledge and Understanding

of Science and History.  History is full of examples OF NON- PROFESSIONALS

WORKING OUTSIDE OF ACADEMIA MAKING VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS.

HOWEVER, ALL ARE SUBJECT TO THE SAME STANDARDS THAT ARE

EXPECTED OF ACADEMIA.  THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING;

-  PROPER RESEARCH STANDARDS AND PROTOCOLS,

   THAT COULD PREVENT SKEWED AND UNRELIABLE DATA.

   

-  THE RULES OF LOGIC AND THE

   SCIENTIFIC METHOD.

-  PROPER HANDLING, ANALYSIS 

   AND AVAILABILITY OF EVIDENCE

   TO OTHERS FOR EVALUATION.

In other words, Non- Academics with a genuine Appreciation and Desire to seek answers that can stand up to proper scrutiny.Television Appearances do not excuse SLOPPY METHODOLOGY, DECEPTIONS, AND OUTRIGHT LIES.  FURTHER, TRYING TO EXPLAIN A CONCEPT OR SUBJECT THAT YOU CLEARLY DON'T UNDERSTAND JUST MAKES YOU LOOK FOOLISH.

IF YOU WANT TO ENTERTAIN YOUR AUDIENCE, AT THE PRICE

OF FINDING ACTUAL ANSWERS THAT STAND UP TO SCRUTINY,

GO FOR IT.  JUST DON'T CALL YOURSELF A RESEARCHER DOING

REAL SCIENCE, BECAUSE YOUR NOT FOOLING ANYONE.