Brownstein: Joe Schwarcz marks a milestone in his fight against quackery

Joe Schwarcz, the director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society (OSS), is celebrating the organization’s 25th anniversary by hosting a free event on Thursday at McGill’s Leacock Building. The event will feature Schwarcz in conversation with Josh Freed, reflecting on the evolution of debunking pseudo-science.

Schwarcz, a McGill chemistry professor, Gazette columnist, author, and broadcaster, has been at the forefront of separating sense from nonsense for the past 25 years. Through articles, videos, lectures, and radio shows produced by the OSS, he has reached over 100,000 people weekly.

The OSS also hosts the annual fall Trottier Public Science Symposium, attracting expert academics and scientists from around the world. Montreal engineer and entrepreneur Lorne Trottier, who sponsors the symposium, emphasizes the importance of countering pseudo-science, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Schwarcz has been tirelessly waging a war against scientific quackery for 50 years, addressing fallacies about everything from caffeine to vaccines. He warns against misinformation spread by social media and bogus influencers, highlighting the real-world consequences of following pseudo-science.

As Schwarcz continues his fight against scientific quackery, he emphasizes the importance of looking at the benefit versus risk profile in all aspects of life. Despite the challenges posed by misinformation, he finds joy in the ever-evolving field of science and the mysteries it solves.

To mark the OSS’s 25th anniversary, Schwarcz will engage in a thought-provoking discussion on Thursday, inviting the public to join in the celebration of science and reason.