books review

Ben Goldacre & David McFarland

Edinburgh International Book Festival

You really could not chose two more different speakers than Ben Goldacre and David McFarland. It was perhaps just as well that the former was late, allowing McFarland to get a word in edgeways with a thought-provoking anecdote about the difference between scientists, laymen and philosophers, incidentally suggesting that science may not always hold the answer. After Goldacre's dramatic delayed entrance, the discussion diverted onto more controversial topics. His stand-up comic/anti-establishment hero style really got the audience going, as he highlighted the problems with reports of science in the media, and bogus advertising from pharmaceutical companies versus scientific fact. An invigorating discussion marred by the attempt to squeeze two excellent speakers on different topics into one event.

Pepper's Theatre, Aug 15, 12.30pm, fpp n/a

published: Aug-2008

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