Categories: Post

Failure: Why Science is so Successful

Those who practice science know that research is full of wrong turns, cul-de-sacs, mistaken identities, false findings, errors of fact and judgement, and only the occasional success. Firestein, the author of the highly praised Ignorance, argues that the view that science is infallible originates in an education system that teaches nothing but facts and is proliferated by media who report on discoveries but almost never on process. Firestein shows us that scientific enterprise is, and should be, riddled with failures. The book will give the non-scientifically trained public an insider’s view of how science is actually done, with the aim of making it accessible, comprehensible, and entertaining.

Stuart firestein teaches Neuroscience at Columbia University, where his laboratory investigates the mysteries of the mammalian olfactory system, the sense of smell. He has published more than 100 papers in scientific and scholarly journals, and is the author of Ignorance: How it Drives Science. He was Chairman of the Department of Biological Sciences from 2010-2013. Dedicated to promoting the accessibility of science to a public audience, he serves as an advisor for the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s program for the Public Understanding of Science. He is based in New York, NY.

c2st

Recent Posts

“Epigenetics: The Tale of Your Childhood Memories” By Your DNA

Maybe you've heard, "The body remembers what the mind does not." This phrase and its…

18 hours ago

Hitting Snooze on Memory Loss

While cramming for your last exam of finals week, you’re struck with a thought all…

2 weeks ago

Engineering Justice: Centering Disabled Voices in STEMM

With roughly sixteen percent of the world’s population being disabled, the disabled community makes up…

2 weeks ago

The Problem with Palm Oil: One Industry’s Role in the Decline of Orangutans

From keeping your peanut butter smooth to making your shampoo foamy, palm oil plays a…

3 weeks ago

Life on Earth: A Surprise Delivery from Outer Space?

Earth is a remarkable planet that hosts all kinds of life. From glistening oceans with…

3 weeks ago

Sparks in Nuclear Energy Policy: Insight from an Industry Professional

Over the past few years, a chain reaction of government support and policy in favor…

4 months ago