Reading list for the struggle against mad science

Okay

So the previous posts are bit content-heavy on my side.
Maybe I should give bit more information to explain where I depart from:

I have always been uneasy with bad science.  Ever since my child-like mind got stuck in the rut of asking "Why?"

I am currently studying medicine, which is profession that struggles to ask that question enough, but does it just enough to keep me excited.

Bad science and bogus claims are everywhere - targeting those whose education moulded them into unquestioning disciples of whatever-the-powers-that-be-say.  These people struggle in life once they leave school, always looking for a new father- or mother-figure to occupy the vacuum created post-school, post-tertiary education and/or post-family.

No-one is overtly telling them what to believe and how to think - and everyone in their life has been afraid of teaching them to think for themselves, as that would question the very authority doing the teaching.

"I expect you all to be independent, innovative, critical thinkers

who will do exactly as I say!"

They are all too happy when a supposedly benevolent tabloid, television channel or Depak Chopra fills that void with the air of calm, self-assured knowledge that permeates those who are trying to sell you something.

But they are in great danger.

And we need to ask people questions and engage them in order to get those dusty cogs in their minds clunking about again, so that they may one day do that for each other.  And close the gaps in society left by education philosophies which fear critical thinking like a monarch fears a Bolshevik.

"Don't think for yourselves, people. Then you won't want to wear your school uniform, attend sports days and  keep quiet whilst I indoctrinate you in assemblies anymore.  The school down the road is full of  free thinkers and they all do drugs and have syphilis."

For your viewing and educational pleasure, I have included two TEDtalks by Ben Goldacre.

Don't take my word for it.  Borrow or buy his books, Bad Science and Bad Pharma and decide what your think for yourself.:

And what's more: