Doing the very quick review of press articles with headlines including the phrase “Scientists Say” was so illuminating last time I did it, that I thought that I would repeat the exercise  to see what new stuff out intrepid scientific researchers have been up to recently – mostly with our money.

Here are a few of the choice headlines:

• Iceland’s Most Active Volcano Erupts, Scientists Say
• Scientists Say They May Have Found Lost City of Atlantis
• Russian Scientists Say Asteroid on Collision Course With Earth
• Scientists say Philippine volcano could erupt
• Scientists Say: Let’s Cure Erectile Dysfunction With Spider Venom
• Dinosaurs may have carried lice, scientists say
• Scientists say homeopathy is undiluted hogwash. But it CAN work …
  
• Climate change could bring cholera back, scientists say …
• End of the World? Not Likely, Scientists Say
• Scientists Say Prehistoric Man Enjoyed 3D Cinema Too
• Scientists say warp speed would have killed Kirk and Spock
• Scientists say beak deformities increasing in Northwest

I wonder if I can get a research grant for this?

Its not at all unusual these days to read just about any story which includes the magical words “scientists say”. Mostly, these will be stories of impending catastrophe, or backing up some government scheme to separate the electorate from many billions in new taxes. Read the rest of this entry »