Pathological Science

Abstract

I discuss examples of what Dr. Irving Langmuir, a Nobel prize winner in Chemistry, called "the science of things that aren't so." Some of his examples are reviewed and others from High Energy Physics are added. It is hoped that discussing these incidents will help us develop an understanding of some potential pitfalls.Comment: Presented at Theoretical Advanced Study Institute In Elementary Particle Physics (Tasi), University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado June, 2000. To appear in the proceedings. (10/31/2000 - Fixed a reference.