Comments on: Science is only human – my talk on bad behaviour

By: Brian Lynchehaun

Brian Lynchehaun — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 06:53:41 +0000

So rather than using the absolutely terrible imbedded player, how do I download this talk as an MP3?

By: Daniela

Daniela — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 16:28:57 +0000

I totally agree with you and, to be honest, that’s what was disappointing in science. I like the method, I just don’t like the people. I’m finishing my PhD next March, and I’m almost pretty sure that I won’t continue on this path I think that something can be done, but it’s kind of hard to change people’s minds about how to do their work when they depend on scholarships and their egos are huge.

Thanks for this, really!!!

Sincerely,
Daniela

By: LH

LH — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:19:27 +0000

Really interesting, very much enjoyed it, thanks for putting it up. Would have loved to hear the Q&A too though!

By: Jo Brodie

Jo Brodie — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 14:34:23 +0000

Good work. I was about to mildly disagree with you on the concept of sci as self-correcting until I heard your pretty decent argument pointing out that much of the self-correcting appears to happen as much by accident as design. So, as you were.

By: Ed Yong

Ed Yong — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 19:46:55 +0000

Ok fair point, but to clarify, that paragraph wasn’t mean to go: “Oh look at me.” Someone asked me recently if blogging led to other stories, and this is definitely the most concrete example of that.

EDIT: In fact, I’ve thought better of it. Don’t want people getting the wrong impresion here, so I’ll take that stuff out and save it for a more considered post on the path of stories from blogs to other media.

By: Frances deTriusce

Frances deTriusce — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 19:10:39 +0000

I’ve enjoyed all the stuff you’ve written on this, but you need to be careful in the part at the end, where you tell everyone how great this has been for your career. I’m sure that’s the case, but I wouldn’t be boasting about it. There’s a certain “ick” factor in all this, and if not careful it can rub off on those making hay, just by association.

I run a blog on science fraud, and have been accused of using the misconduct of others for personal gain/promotion/fame. The caveat is I’m an unpaid anonymous blogger on an ad-free site. You on the other hand are a minor internet “celebrity” (whatever that means), and no-one likes it when celebrities boast about how great their own careers are.

Not jealousy, not sniping, just a polite observation about your last paragraph (the rest of the piece, and the talk, is all great).