E77: Academic Fraud & the Spiritual Quest for Truth | Live Players w/ Samo Burja and Ben Landau-Taylor

"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg

Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja are joined by Ben Landau-Taylor, a Senior Analyst at Bismarck Analysis. Ben recently published an article in Palladium Magazine about the pervasive problem of fraud in academia. They discussed how fraudulent activities, particularly in medical research, often go undetected due to flawed peer review processes and institutional protectionism. They explore key cases, and possible solutions, including external watchdogs, intellectual authorities and regulatory bodies in maintaining academic integrity.

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LINKS:

The Academic Culture of Fraud: https://www.palladiummag.com/2024/08/02/the-academic-culture-of-fraud/

Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/

Bismarck Analysis: https://www.bismarckanalysis.com/

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TIMESTAMPS:

(0:00) Intro

(2:22) Ben’s article: "The Academic Culture of Fraud"

(4:26) Examples of fraudulent studies and researchers (Sylvain Lesné case)

(6:21) Incentives and cultural factors enabling fraud

(8:24) Historical context and modern academia

(11:36) Scientific fraud and its consequences

(13:38) Intellectual authority and legitimacy

(19:50) Fundrise & Brave Ads

(28:50) External pressure on academia

(30:53) Role of journalism and other institutions in exposing academic fraud

(33:47) The need for external oversight in academia

(34:13) The complex relationship between the government and academia

(36:14) Proposals for scientific integrity

(39:03) Squad Ad

(42:59) Challenges in science and bureaucracy

(46:42) Nonprofit solutions for scientific fraud

(52:33) Venture capital & scientific integrity

(57:12) Bismarck Analysis and its work in strategic research & consulting

(1:00:04) Wrap