A research group led by Professor Masato Ishikawa of the Faculty of Information and Communication at Meiji University has developed an online information center site "Gijika.com" for "pseudo-science" with Shinshu University.It is said to play the role of a boat that rescues consumers from the sea of information.
"Pseudoscience" is a general term for claims and products that have a weak scientific basis while pretending to be science. Is the effect of health foods that are said to be "good for the body!" Real?It may just look like science.In fact, the problematic commercial law of selling high-priced products without sufficient scientific verification of the claimed effects is rampant, taking advantage of consumers' anxieties about their health and aging.
This site evaluates and explains the scientific nature of 37 items that are attracting public attention, such as negative ions, hydrogen water, EM bacteria, glucosamine, and ginkgo biloba extract.The evaluation is based on 10 conditions that infer scientificity from the knowledge of philosophy of science and sociology of science.
In addition, an online bulletin board that anyone can use has been newly established (login can be used by linking with an SNS account such as Twitter).On the bulletin board, you can freely discuss everything from consultations on familiar pseudosciences to information provision and a wide range of science and society.We have made various efforts for good communication.
In addition, we newly provide e-learning materials aimed at improving scientific literacy.This will lead to self-defense against pseudoscience and raise awareness of science and social issues.
Through this site, we aim to build an environment where consumers can independently collect information and make decisions about pseudoscience, and to create a base where the question "What is science in the first place?" Is shared throughout society. ..
