Somone Is Wrong on the Internet

[joyeuse13]

But it's not who you think it is. One of the things grad school is good for is learning how to ferret out the facts behind "popular" science articles such as this one. You may recall that I have written passionately before this on the subject of bullying, so the headline was sure to catch my eye. But it turns out that headline reflects more about

Comments

[houseboatonstyx]

I saw the same problems in the article. Good for you, taking the time to call them out.

[ruleroftheweird]

But this is exactly what's right about the internet. If there weren't the internet, would anyone really take the time to go to a library and look up McKown and Lavoie? Would they even be able to? And so misinformation spreads.

We can call people out on their inability to read scientific articles and their attempts to push their own agendas.

[joyeuse13]

Oh, yes, definitely. I don't think many people reading Nixon's article would go to the trouble I did, but the point is that *I* can. :) I'm not putting down the internet, I'm putting down columnists like Nixon who can't be bothered to track down and accurately quote their sources, and who inject their own prejudices into their supposedly factual reporting.

[braider]

Yeah, I saw that article, and was rather upset about the "blame the victim" mentality. It was also very weak on causality.

[abovenyquist]

There's an extensive set of comments on that article, most dumping on it, as it deserves. But I can't see anyone referring to the misrepresentation of the cited research to the extent that you have.

I'd strongly encourage you to write a comment on the article and also e-mail the author directly. Her e-mail is listed as RobinNixon@hotmail.com.