Good science isn't identical to the truth. Rather, science is a social process whereby large groups of imperfect humans with their various vanities and weaknesses can eventually converge on the truth. Someone might come up with an idea that happens to be true, but until it's tested it isn't good science - and we have easy way to know it's true.
For a popularizer of science, sticking to current consensus is fine, and a good way to avoid promoting pseudoscience. No one's claiming TEDx is the last word on these topics, or on science in general, and if they accomplish nothing more than making mainstream science more accessible, that's pretty good by itself.
Right. It's a tricky line to walk. But the TedX name grants a certain level of mainstream acceptance to ideas. And it seems like they're trying to prevent people from taking advantage of that to pimp their latest miracle, effort free, libido enhancing, hair increasing, bicep growing treatment.
An earlier comment mentioned that it's a question of what's the right forum to debate new ideas. Going to direct to the public is probably not the right one. Another hallmark of these hoaxes tends to be the notion that "main stream scientists don't want you to know" etc... It's trash.
I wish the letter had ended by admitting that it's tough to exactly define bad science but it's a lot like porn, you know it when you see it.
Yes, but all legitimate sciences (a) put forth falsifiable theories, and (b) abandon those theories that fail comparison with reality.
The fact that cosmologists don't perform laboratory experiments with miniature black holes doesn't reduce the scientific standing of cosmology, as long as there are equally persuasive sources of evidence to support the theories.
