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Pandora’s Lab
- Seven Stories of Science Gone Wrong
- Narrated by: Greg Tremblay
- Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
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Pandora’s Lab
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Summary
What happens when ideas presented as science lead us in the wrong direction? History is filled with brilliant ideas that gave rise to disaster, and this book explores the most fascinating - and significant - missteps.
Pandora's Lab takes us from opium's heyday as the pain reliever of choice to recognition of opioids as a major cause of death in the United States; from the rise of trans fats as the golden ingredient for tastier, cheaper food to the heart disease epidemic that followed; and from the cries to ban DDT for the sake of the environment to an epidemic-level rise in world malaria.
These are today's sins of science - as deplorable as mistaken ideas from the past such as advocating racial purity or using lobotomies as a cure for mental illness. These unwitting errors add up to seven lessons both cautionary and profound, explained by renowned author and speaker Paul A. Offit. Offit uses these lessons to investigate how we can separate good science from bad, using as case studies some of today's most controversial creations: e-cigarettes, GMOs, and drug treatments for ADHD.
For every "Aha!" moment that should have been an "Oh no", this book is an engrossing account of how science has been misused disastrously - and how we can learn to use its power for good.
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- Anonymous User
- 22-11-21
Entertaining and truly fascinating
I’ve never written a review before but I just had to for this book! It was absolutely fascinating and I couldn’t wait for my commutes back home to listen to the next chapter! Highly recommend!!!
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- Midnight
- 21-01-23
Very interesting read, another book to re listen to. A lot to learn about science
It was easy to listen to , A compelling read which I will need to listen to again
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- JP
- 28-05-23
The.sciebtific method must triumph
Above all there must be reproducible experimental data behind any arguement. Wishful thinking, dogma, quack science must be held up to scrutiny.
The seven stories chosen here may not be the best ones to choose but each is thought provoking. Remember, if it seems too good to be true it probably is.
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- RegencyAddict
- 12-08-24
Extremely interesting
Despite growing up in the 1980s some of the misinformation around DDT and vitamins has made it into my mind. I found this book very enlightening and was pleased to hear about so many mixed inventions. I enjoyed the balance between the good and the bad facets. However I found the concluding paragraph at the end of each chapter confusing, I thought I'd rewound by accident, until I understood the style.
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- Amazon Customer
- 20-08-24
Highly recommend
Fascinating collection of stories of mistakes made by scientists and their impact. Great mix of history and science.
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- Jake wilkinson
- 05-09-21
Fantastic
I started listening for an engaging history lesson on the scientific failures of the past but was left with life lessons which I will hopefully take note from in my ensuing medical career.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Joe T
- 01-01-22
Excellent thought provoking
Great book , balanced and interesting , well narrated ,I hope there will be a sequel soon.
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- Isobel
- 27-11-21
Excellent, science based, rational. Really enjoyed this.
An excellent book. I was with it all the way. Challenged a few ideas I have accepted for years, but in a rational research and numbers based way.
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- David
- 06-10-22
fantastic listen
thought provoking, shocking, engaging, insightful. A book worth your time and a second listen!
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- Samira Pagani
- 12-05-22
informative, interesting and entertaining
I loved this book. When I finished it I just wanted some more of it. some facts I knew, some were completely new to me.
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