4 ms·

There are two main problems with science & especially health research "news". First is the urgent need of the Media to "sell more papers" (Or whatever the digit

There are two main problems with science & especially health research "news". First is the urgent need of the Media to "sell more papers" (Or whatever the digital equivalent). Nothing sells more than vaguely alarmist news that is of concern to everybody. So "Drink 8 Glasses of Water every day or suffer the consequences" is an excellent hook to draw-in almost everybody. Second the ability of companies to influence the research - If the research shows a slight problem with Milk (for example) you can bet that the dairy industry will promote another conflicting study that shows Milk is just GREAT! Now the consumer is completely alarmed and confused by these two trends - so it always was and always will be.

jonlucc 11y ago
Even if you only have disinterested, non-partisan scientists performing very rigorous studies, the science on this stuff is hard and layperson takeaways are nearly non-existent.
denzil_correa 11y ago
> If the research shows a slight problem with Milk (for example) you can bet that the dairy industry will promote another conflicting study that shows Milk is just GREAT! The news headlines are a problem. News should be able to show the true aspect to a story. So, "Milk may have benefits" is a much milder statement than "MILK IS SO GOOOD!". The latter however catches people's eyes but the former is sombre and is a footnote.