How to Spot Pseudoscience

In this complex information age, distinguishing between rigorous scientific fact and veiled pseudoscience is a pressing challenge. In the vein of my previous writings on information pollution and cognitive biases, let us now consider a series of questions we can ask ourselves to gauge the scientific integrity of an idea or claim:

1. Unfalsifiability: Does the subject make unfalsifiable claims, shrouded in vagueness or unobservable assertions?
2. Anecdotal Evidence: Is there an overreliance on anecdotes and testimonials rather than verifiable empirical evidence?
3. Selective Evidence: Does the argument cherry-pick supportive evidence while ignoring or downplaying contrary data?
4. Technobabble: Does it employ scientific-sounding jargon without proper context or understanding?
5. Absent Mechanisms: Is there a conspicuous absence of plausible mechanisms, leaving the claim adrift from the anchor of existing scientific knowledge?
6. Immutable Theories: Is the theory impervious to change, resisting self-correction or progression as new information or research emerges?
7. Exaggerated Claims: Are there extraordinary assertions made without commensurate evidence to substantiate them?
8. Professed Certainty: Is ‘proof’ presented with unwavering confidence…