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A review by mchester24
Galileo's Middle Finger: Heretics, Activists, and the Search for Justice in Science by Alice Dreger
4.0
Alice Dreger gives a deep insight into the collision of the scientific and activist worlds-- through her personal accounts in a number of these controversial battles-- in this compelling read. Though most of the story centers on Dreger's work as a historian of science, she finds herself right in the middle of the debate about people born as intersex, transgender, and with ambiguous genitalia. What starts as a story of Dreger as a feminist champion of intersex and transgender rights when it comes to societal, and more specifically in the medical community, acceptance quickly changes into a discussion of how people interpret science the way they want to, how activist groups will cherry pick stories and data, and what it means to search for truth. Despite being on the side of the transgender and intersex activists, she finds that some of the science purported by her colleagues is falsified and unethical and ends up working as a champion for someone on the opposite side of the issue-- whose reputation is being slandered 'for the cause.'
Despite being a fascinating read for these specific issues, the broader takeaways from this book that took it from 3 stars to 4 stars for me was the enlightening views into how the scientific community and the Fourth Estate interact in today's world. Too often people are looking to publish quick without proper peer review for the quick monetary wins for their institutes and satisfying headlines. Too often activists are quick to jump one on shaky scientific conclusion that fits their narrative, and even go a step further and maliciously attack a scientist who is merely pursuing a truth-- but that truth does not fit into the activists' preferred narrative.
In the end it is a very eye-opening look into how we should digest scientific studies and breakthroughs if we want to be informed, ethical, and responsible citizens. The lessons can apply to any number of today's heated debates-- climate change, vaccinations, sociobiology, end-of-life medical interventions, and more. No matter which side of a debate you find yourself, it is critical to look for errors and holes in the science you read, objectively consider an author's potential conflict of interests, and not rush to judgment on any topic or researcher. This book gives a painful look at what can happen to advocates of science when any of the above goes wrong.
Despite being a fascinating read for these specific issues, the broader takeaways from this book that took it from 3 stars to 4 stars for me was the enlightening views into how the scientific community and the Fourth Estate interact in today's world. Too often people are looking to publish quick without proper peer review for the quick monetary wins for their institutes and satisfying headlines. Too often activists are quick to jump one on shaky scientific conclusion that fits their narrative, and even go a step further and maliciously attack a scientist who is merely pursuing a truth-- but that truth does not fit into the activists' preferred narrative.
In the end it is a very eye-opening look into how we should digest scientific studies and breakthroughs if we want to be informed, ethical, and responsible citizens. The lessons can apply to any number of today's heated debates-- climate change, vaccinations, sociobiology, end-of-life medical interventions, and more. No matter which side of a debate you find yourself, it is critical to look for errors and holes in the science you read, objectively consider an author's potential conflict of interests, and not rush to judgment on any topic or researcher. This book gives a painful look at what can happen to advocates of science when any of the above goes wrong.