Calling Bullshit The Art of Skepticism in a Data-driven World

The book is widely praised for its comprehensive and systematic approach to identifying and understanding various forms of misinformation, particularly the modern kind that uses statistics, data, and scientific-sounding claims. Reviewers highlight its accessible style, noting that it effectively teaches readers to spot quantitative fallacies without requiring advanced mathematical or statistical knowledge. The authors provide practical tools, numerous examples, and clear explanations, often infused with humor, making the complex topic engaging and readable. Many consider it a timely and important resource, offering actionable advice on critical thinking and media literacy in a data-driven world, covering areas such as differentiating correlation from causation, recognizing biased data, and understanding visual manipulation.

While generally well-received, some reviewers found the book to be less revelatory for those already familiar with informal logic and quantitative fallacies, occasionally feeling repetitive or dense with examples. A common critique is that the book, written by scientists, sometimes exhibits a "trust me, I'm a scientist" bias and overlooks established literature from other fields like information literacy. Some also felt it primarily focuses on "bullshit" (unintentional misrepresentation) rather than outright lies or the deeper psychological reasons people cling to false narratives, making it seem less equipped to tackle complex conspiracy theories prevalent today. Additionally, a few readers noted the section on "calling out" misinformation was relatively brief and less practical than the "spotting" section, and some pointed out its US-centric examples or minor factual inaccuracies.

Despite these criticisms, the overall consensus is that the book is a valuable and necessary read. It is highly recommended for a general audience, particularly students in high school and university, as an excellent introduction to critical thinking and skepticism in an age of abundant online information. While experienced data scientists or those deeply versed in logic might find some concepts familiar, the book serves as an excellent primer for anyone looking to sharpen their skills in evaluating information, especially quantitative claims. Ultimately, it equips readers with essential strategies to navigate the constant influx of data, encouraging a thoughtful and questioning mindset to discern truth from misdirection.