Dr Glenn McConell chats with Dr Nick Tiller from Harbor UCLA. Nick is a COPD and exercise researcher with other interests such as ultramarathon. However, the focus of this episode is on his expertise in regards to the importance of being skeptical of health and fitness claims. He has written the book A skeptics guide to sports science. He makes some very important points re critical thinking, confirmation bias, logical fallacies, appeals to nature, false dichotomy, the role of social media, pre-bunking. A very articulate and interesting person. Twitter: @NBTiller
0:00. Introduction
3:05. Sits in Karlman Wasserman old office
4:58. Nick’s respiratory medicine research
COPD patients etc. Ultramarathon research including sex differences.
11:11. Skepticism and sports science
His book: A skeptics guide to sports science. In the health and fitness industry science takes a back seat to marketing.
14:17. Lack of regulation in wellness industry
Tend to be able to make claims without evidence. BS mechanisms and false claims.
20:00. How we make decisions
Society has changed so much more than our genes. People want short cuts.
22:31. So many scammers etc now
Bombarded with so much data. Need to be able to think critically.
25:36. Skeptical vs critical vs cynical
Socratic method/scientific method. Carl Sagan.
26:48. Plausibility
28:30. Scientific integrity/confirmation bias
Being a scientist doesn’t mean are a critical thinker.
31:10. Snake oil salesman of old and social media now
Echo chamber
35:47. Debunking and pre-bunking
Teaching people ahead of time about about bias, media literacy. Critical thinking.
41:15. Peer reviewed publication doesn’t mean good research
45:58. “The death of expertise”
Need to respect experts especially when there’s scientific consensus.
50:15. Making vague claims to avoid litigation
Blinding with science. Logical fallacies. Exposure effect.
55:00. Logical fallacies and appeals to nature
58:35. False dichotomy
1:00:20. Twitter followers are not credentials
1:03:49. Censorship vs free speech re health etc
1:11:45. Can always sharpen your critical thinking
Inside Exercise brings to you the who's who of exercise metabolism, exercise physiology and exercise’s effects on health. With scientific rigor, these researchers discuss popular exercise topics while providing practical strategies for all.
The interviewer, Emeritus Professor Glenn McConell, has an international research profile following 30 years of Exercise Metabolism research experience while at The University of Melbourne, Ball State University, Monash University, the University of Copenhagen and Victoria University.
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