Distrust: Big Data, Data-Torturing, and the Assault on Science

Any fan of Carl Sagan’s The Demon Haunted World will love this book. Like Sagan, Smith discusses the challenges to human progress that result from a lack of critical thinking skills, and he does so with a Sagan-esque keen eye and eloquent voice. Smith also makes clear how the threats to sound judgment and effective decisions are more formidable than those of Sagan’s day, as faulty thinking is now aided and abetted by an internet-fuelled distrust of science, viral misinformation, and venomous conspiracy theories. The wisdom in this book is desperately needed. ― Tom Gilovich, Irene Blecker Rosenfeld Professor of Psychology, Cornell University. Author of The Wisest One in the Room

It turns out that, unlike the mythical hero, AI has two Achilles’ heels. Not only are the technologies not intelligent, more perniciously, neither are too much of the statistics and data use on which AI and big data rely. Gary Smith provides a brilliantly executed counter against pseudo-science and the accumulating garbage we misleadingly call information, including timely and important warnings and ways forward for policy-makers, practitioners, academics, and citizens alike. ― Leslie Willcocks, Professor Emeritus, London School of Economics and Political Science

An immensely readable look at why we need science more than ever, but also why and how science needs to clean up its act. Recommended for anyone who occasionally wonders whether that ‘outspoken’ family member on Facebook might just have a point. ― Nick Brown, PhD, scientific integrity researcher

Smith marvellously illustrates the evolution of disinformation. He richly demonstrates how blind faith in technology enables more misrepresentations of the truth. Distrust articulates a humbling view of how we should think critically about new findings from hyped technology trends. ― Karl Meyer, Managing Director, Digital Alpha Advisors LLC and former Partner at Kleiner Perkins

The lessons of Distrust are very much needed. ― Washington Post

Distrust is a veritable page-turner, and I finished it in a few sittings. On a higher level, it is a call for common sense, for scepticism, for methodological rigour and for epistemic modesty. I suspect most scientists will love it. ― Nature

Meta Malcolm Gladwell fans will likely enjoy. ― Library Journal

The book is great fun. It’s lovely to watch Smith demolish the fraud in every medium. ― The Straight Dope

Using a wide range of entertaining examples, this fascinating book examines the impacts of society’s growing distrust of science, and ultimately provides constructive suggestions for restoring the credibility of the scientific community. ― Campaign for the American Reader

Smith’s Distrust is a strikingly readable exploration of several interrelated threats to the credibility of science…The book can serve as both a guide to helping readers better spot bogus scientifc claims and a warning as to the individual and institutional failings that threaten the credibility of science. ― Keith Raymond Harris, Metascience

Distrust: Big Data, Data-Torturing, and the Assault on Science is a highly recommended book for anyone interested about current, and future, issues related to what science is and how it is done. ― K. Kampourakis, Science & Education