The Junk Science Life Cycle

I found this very interesting, so I decided to repost it here.

Below is the life cycle of junk science, from the web blog

Daily Dollop It shows the history of classic junk science, from diet pills

to The Population Bomb.

Genesis

1) Maverick Scientist has an Idea.

2) Other scientists deride the Idea.

3) SF Writers use Idea as image of bleak future.

4) Academics debate Idea.

5) Politicians begins to discuss the Idea, but don’t

understand it.

6) General Public ignores the Idea.

Growth

7) Champion arrives to actively promote and publicize Idea.

8) Scientists form a consensus that agrees with Idea.

9) Academics teach Idea as fact.

10) Fast Adapters change lifestyle, ridicule General Public.

11) Hollywood makes disaster movie, sometimes based on SF novel from 3.

12) General Public makes token lifestyle changes.

13) Politicians use Idea to attack political

enemies.

Hysteria

14) Scientific consensus begins ruthlessly crushing dissent.

15) Champion is hailed as Messianic Leader.

16) Academics announce society is doomed.

17) General public accepts Idea.

18) Opponents of Idea are cast as wicked and

immoral.

19) Music Industry holds benefit, sometimes using film name from 11.

Critical Mass

20) Dissenting Scientist proposes alternative theory to Idea.

21) Scientific consensus denounces Dissenting Scientist.

22) Messianic Leader begins making ludicrous claims unrelated to

Idea.

23) Politicians propose massive social, fiscal, and moral changes to

accommodate Idea.

24) Time Magazine puts Maverick Scientist, Messiah, Idea,

or all 3 on cover.

Death and Rebirth

25) Dissenting Scientist is proven to be right, nothing happens.

26) Scientists form new consensus, claim they knew all along.

27) Fast Adapters are ridiculed by General Public.

28) Academics continue to teach Idea as “compelling

theory”.

29) Politicians raise taxes, just in case.

30) Messiah and Entertainment Industry find new Maverick Scientist.

31) Return to Step 1