Simon Singh Edzard Ernst

Simon Singh is a British author and theoretical physicist celebrated for his work in popularizing science. Born in 1964 to parents who emigrated from India, Singh pursued physics, earning a PhD from Cambridge University and conducting research at CERN. He transitioned into science communication, producing documentaries and writing books that explore complex topics in accessible ways.

His notable books include "Fermat's Last Theorem," "The Code Book" (on cryptography), and "Big Bang" (on cosmology). Singh also co-authored "Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial" with Edzard Ernst, which critically examined complementary and alternative medicine. This work, and subsequent criticism of chiropractic practices, led to a significant libel case that ultimately highlighted issues with UK libel laws. Singh founded the Good Thinking Society to promote scientific understanding and critical thinking.

After completing his PhD in particle physics, Simon Singh began a career in science journalism and broadcasting. He worked for the BBC, producing science programs like "Tomorrow's World" and "Horizon." His transition to authoring books aimed to make scientific concepts understandable to the general public. Singh's approach often involves narrating the human stories behind scientific discoveries, as seen in his books on Fermat's Last Theorem and the Big Bang theory. He has also explored the history and science of cryptography in "The Code Book" and its related television series. Singh's dedication to science communication has been recognized with numerous honorary degrees and awards, including an MBE for his contributions to science education and communication.

In collaboration with Edzard Ernst, Simon Singh authored "Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial." This book critically investigated various forms of complementary and alternative medicine, evaluating the scientific evidence for their efficacy. The work questioned the validity of treatments for conditions where robust scientific backing was lacking. Singh's critical stance extended to specific practices, notably chiropractic. An article he wrote for The Guardian in 2008, which questioned the evidence for certain chiropractic claims, led to a high-profile libel lawsuit by the British Chiropractic Association. Although initially facing legal challenges, Singh ultimately won his appeal, a case that galvanized support for libel law reform in the UK.

Simon Singh is a prominent advocate for scientific skepticism and critical thinking. His involvement in debunking pseudoscience, influenced by figures like Richard Wiseman, is evident in his work and his founding of the Good Thinking Society. This organization aims to foster a greater understanding of science and encourage rational inquiry. Singh has also focused on promoting mathematics, recognizing its fundamental importance. He created the website "Parallel" to assist students in learning mathematics and has been honored for his excellence in communicating mathematical concepts to a wider audience. His work often highlights the hidden mathematical principles within popular culture, such as in "The Simpsons and Their Mathematical Secrets."

“My writing initially was about pure science but a lot of my research now has been inspired by his desire to debunk things such as the paranormal – we both hate psychics, mediums, pseudoscience in general.”

“When I finished my PhD, I knew I wasn't exceptionally good and would never get the Nobel prize. As a kid, I wanted to be a footballer then a commentator. If I couldn't be a physicist, I'd write about it.”

“You might think that modern chiropractors restrict themselves to treating back problems, but in fact they still possess some quite wacky ideas. The fundamentalists argue that they can cure anything. And even the more moderate chiropractors have ideas above their station. The British Chiropractic Association claims that their members can help treat children with colic, sleeping and feeding problems, frequent ear infections, asthma and prolonged crying, even though there is not a jot of evidence. This organisation is the respectable face of the chiropractic profession and yet it happily promotes bogus treatments.”