The 100 Most Outrageous Hoaxes And Mistakes

Scientific breakthroughs are often regarded with suspicion, especially those that diverge substantially from established theories. New ideas are tested by scientists around the world to ensure that they hold up to scrutiny. This book takes a look at the instances when, despite these precautions, the scientific community got it wrong. The book includes the most infamous cases of fraud and famous mistakes that initially had scientists fooled.

Scientific breakthroughs are often regarded with suspicion, especially those that diverge substantially from established theories. New ideas are tested by scientists around the world to ensure that they hold up to scrutiny. This book takes a look at the instances when, despite these precautions, the scientific community got it wrong. The book includes the most infamous cases of fraud and famous mistakes that initially had scientists fooled.

Even experts get duped from time to time! The stories behind scientific fakes and mistakes, from crop circles to miracle cures and beyond. Science is an ongoing quest for knowledge filled with discoveries and experiments, trial and error. And occasionally, the errors can be whoppers—especially when hoaxers are involved. Some hoaxes are intended merely as well-intended humorous tricks, while others are serious frauds devised for personal gain of glory and riches. This book reveals the greatest science hoaxes and mistakes of all time. Discover the truth behind 100 of the most scandalous scientific errors and outright lies in this fascinating read brought to you by Popular Science—from the experiment that suggested time travel was possible, to the pursuit of alchemy, to rumors about red mercury and its mythical powers, it’s an entertaining journey through the history of science.

Our universe is filled with important questions that both captivate the minds of scientists and capture popular imagination. This volume traces many of these questions, shedding light on everything from time travel to the nature of atoms. Divided into sections called Physical Matter and Forces, Space, Human Body, Earth, Other Life-Forms, and Human Triumphs and Troubles, the book elucidates the latest scientific theories in easy-to-follow, engaging terms.

Asking questions is an integral part of learning and engaging with the world. Complex questions require answers from experts, and this book is packed with fascinating, trusted information about topics ranging from outer space to the human body. Organized by topic in a question-and-answer format, the book is sure to capture readers' imaginations while providing background knowledge about how our universe works.

This look at careless journalism—from hilarious mistakes to egregious ethical lapses—is “chock-full of amusing historical anecdotes” (Publishers Weekly). Winner of the National Press Club’s Arthur Rowse Award for Press Criticism We regret the error: it’s a phrase that appears in newspapers almost daily, the standard notice that something went terribly wrong in the reporting, editing, or printing of an article. From Craig Silverman, the proprietor of www.RegretTheError.com, one of the Internet’s most popular media-related websites, comes a collection of funny, shocking, and sometimes disturbing journalistic slip-ups and corrections. On display are all types of media inaccuracy—from typos to “fuzzy math” to “obiticide” (printing the obituary of a person very much alive and well) to complete and utter ethical lapses. While some of the errors can be laugh-out-loud funny, the book also serves as a sobering journey through the history of media mistakes (including the outrageous hoaxes that dominated newspapers during the circulation wars of the nineteenth century) and a serious muckraking investigation of contemporary journalism’s lack of accountability to the public. Regret the Error shines a spotlight on the media’s carelessness and the sometimes tragic and calamitous consequences of weak or non-existent fact checking. “Mixing humorous corrections taken from large and small newspapers alike, Silverman gives historical context to the current problems . . . and then proposes solutions for busy newsrooms.” —Variety

The unbelievable-but-true stories behind the fakes, mistakes and misunderstandings that have rocked the world of science.

Our universe is filled with important questions that both captivate the minds of scientists and capture popular imagination. This volume traces many of these questions, shedding light on everything from time travel to the nature of atoms. Divided into sections called Physical Matter and Forces, Space, Human Body, Earth, Other Life-Forms, and Human Triumphs and Troubles, the book elucidates the latest scientific theories in easy-to-follow, engaging terms.