Debunked! by Georges Charpak and Henri Broch

 

 

The authors work to demystify magic and coincidence through probability and hard science.  Because something is an unlikely coincidence does not make it a miracle.  In fact, given the several millions of random opportunities for interaction during the course of a year it would be highly improbable if a rare coincidence did not happen. 

 

I found the book to be helpful if a bit short on examples. The author's are at their best when tackling topics not directly related to the books main theme.  They describe the overthrow of colonial governments with even more corrupt and incompetent national governments as a sad commentary on the human condition.  It makes the US revolution seem much more like a rare event than the more typical French Revolution where there is a violent overthrow and the king is replaced by a dictator.

 

The book exposes charlatans, the dowsers, the astrologers, and the fakers using probability to create the illusion of miracles. Mediums offering vague predictions that allow the receiver to fill in the details and create meaning out of very little. 

 

Humans have survived because we are able to see patterns.  This allows us to determine that I felt sick after eating this plant and infer cause and effect.  The rigors of the scientific method require that the effect be repeatable to tease out a random association from actual cause and effect.  The ability to see patterns also allows humans to see deities, pop stars and grade B movie actors in moldy tapestry or clouds.  Fortunately moldy tapestries offer a more lucrative source of revenue than an ephemeral cloud formation.

 

The authors fault TV shows for not thoroughly debunking and investigation situations attempting to make ordinary physical phenomenon appear extraordinary.  The "miracle" of the weeping box can be explained by condensation, rain water, a porous top and a sealed bottom.  News crews with limited scientific background do a cursory investigation and proclaim that science has not come up with an explanation for the phenomenon. 

 





Georges Charpak - the value of scientific experiments in Education