Discussion Questions for VOODOO SCIENCE: THE ROAD FROM FOOLISHNESS TO FRAUD (Nonfiction selection)

1. On page 10, Dr. Park says that he uses the term "voodoo science" to cover pathological science, junk science, pseudoscience, and fraudulent science. Do you think there is a difference between these types of voodoo science? If so, what?

2. Would the author's response to the Transcendental Meditation experiment described in Chapter 2 have been any different if the crime rate in Washington, DC had decreased during that time?

3. Did you feel that Dr. Park's discussion of "Natural Medicine" in Chapter 3 was thorough, considering that Chinese Traditional Medicine was not mentioned? How did you feel about Dr. Park's opinion of the NIH Office of Alternative Medicine (now the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)?

4. Should the possibility of manned space exploration missions be dismissed completely in favor of missions with "virtual astronauts," as the author proposes in Chapter 4? Do you agree that the accomplishments of the astronauts on board the International Space Station are "inconsequential" (page 90)?

5. On page 112, the author writes, "once again, the audience is fed the uniquely American myth of the self-educated genius fighting against a pompous, close-minded establishment." Do you think this is really a myth? What about scientists, such as Einstein who are considered geniuses now, but were not necessarily considered so during their time?

6. On page 164, the author defines the difference between junk science and pathological science. Do you think he waited too long to define these terms? If he had defined these terms earlier in the book, do you think it would have changed your understanding of the stories/examples he provides?

7. In chapter 8, the author mentions that judges can create their own independent panel of scientists to evaluate scientific evidence in court cases (rather than leaving it up to a judge or jury who do not have the expertise). Do you think independent panels should be used in cases like the breast implant one described by the author? Do you think this has become more common today?

8. While you were reading this book, did any examples of voodoo science come to mind that were not discussed? What are they?

Discussion Questions for INTUITION (Fiction selection)

1. Did you feel Goodman's portrayal of the research lab in Intuition was realistic? Why or why not?

2. The word "intuition" means something different to each reader: it has positive and negative connotations. Is it an apt title? What role does intuition play in the novel and which characters display it? How?

3. Goodman's novel is set in the mid-1980s, and is rich with details that make it of that time. What did this backdrop add to the story? What might have changed if the action had been contemporary?

4. Near the end of chapter eight, part IV, Goodman writes: "Robin's case against Cliff might as well have been a case against the status quo, an argument against the natural bumps and jolts of the creative process." What do you think of this statement, both as it relates to the action of the novel and as a theme? What is "the status quo" in a creative process? What influence did a place like the Philpott have on this process? Is there a place for creativity in empirical research?

5. Sandy is a charismatic character. Discuss your reaction to him in various modes: as a care provider with his patients; as a parent and spouse; as the public face of the Philpott. Are there conflicts? Is he likeable? Is he moral? What does your intuition tell you about his fate?

6. Given the information the novel relates, were the media or ORIS capable of determining the truth about R-7? Why? What did you think?

7. What type of "voodoo science" would you say is represented in Intuition?

Source for some Intuition questions: http://www.readinggroupguides.com/guides3/intuition1.asp

Created January 2009