Book Report on Viral BS
Viral BS is a witty, sharp, and insightful dive into the world of medical misinformation. Written by Seema Yasmin, a physician and former Epidemic Intelligence Service officer, the book tackles some of the internet’s most persistent myths about health and science. Yasmin began writing the book in 2018, but the topics remain highly relevant today, touching on everything from how diseases actually spread to whether trendy wellness hacks are effective.
What sets Viral BS apart is Yasmin’s ability to not just correct falsehoods, but to tell the stories behind them. She breaks down the flawed studies, questionable scientific methods, and public misunderstandings that often lead to viral misinformation. Her tone is accessible and humorous, with occasional personal insights and opinions that add originality and personality to her writing.
While the book excels at debunking myths, one notable shortfall is its limited exploration of why misinformation spreads so easily. Yasmin presents the "what" clearly and engagingly—but at times, the reader is left craving a deeper dive into the cultural, psychological, or systemic reasons behind the spread of false health claims. A bit more reflection on her own research or first-hand experiences could have added valuable depth.
Both Viral BS and the class focus on thinking more critically and not just believing something because it sounds good.
I especially enjoyed Chapter 15 on Aspirin and Nazis as it read like a story, which made it easier to understand. Chapter 46 felt like the perfect conclusion, connecting fake news and misinformation to modern politics in a way that felt relevant. Reading that chapter made me think about the role of fact-checkers during recent live presidential debates. Fact-checkers try to correct false claims in real time, but the damage is already done because the audience often remembers the original statement more than the correction. Chapter 46 also helped me better understand why that happens and why misinformation spreads so easily, even when the truth is available. I also liked how theory-based it was, which was something I wish had been expanded on more in the rest of the book. Finally, the kit at the end reminded me of what we’ve learned in class, but also added useful tips like “follow the money”.
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