The Certainty Illusion

Praise

“The Certainty Illusion is a brilliant and accessible deep dive into the complexities of our modern misinformation crisis. Caulfield masterfully unpacks how we often confuse data with knowledge, offering readers a clear, actionable guide to discerning fact from fiction in a world overflowing with conflicting information. Whether navigating health advice, social issues, or daily news, this essential read empowers you to think critically and avoid the traps of certainty. It’s a must-have for anyone looking to sharpen their understanding in an age of confusion.”
—Dr. Jen Gunter, bestselling author of The Menopause Manifesto

“Caulfield has written the antidote for the chaos that has overwhelmed any attempt to understand what is news and what is fiction, and how to approach the very creation and apprehension of Knowledge. An indispensable book for anyone who wants to avoid believing things that just ain’t so.”
—Daniel J. Levitin, neuroscientist and bestselling author of A Field Guide to Lies and The Organized Mind

“Timothy Caulfield, already a master at unmasking misinformation and bunk, explores one of the great paradoxes of the information age: we have more access to knowledge than at any time in history, yet less certainty than ever about what’s real and true. In The Certainty Illusion, he offers readers—and social media users—a searing analysis of this post-truth quagmire, and practical and timely tips for forging a path out of the noise-filled chaos.”
—André Picard, Globe and Mail health columnist and bestselling author of Neglected No More

“Celebrities, charlatans, and even the science community: nobody is safe from Caulfield’s laser focus on exposing misinformation and those who perpetuate it. The Certainty Illusion has a forever spot on my bookshelf and should be required reading for anyone who consumes health and wellness content.”
—Abby Langer, RD, author of Good Food, Bad Diet

“Misinformation can kill, and we’re drowning in it. In The Certainty Illusion, Timothy Caulfield throws us a lifeline of clarity, cutting through the noise with clear-eyed, evidence-based thinking. In arguably his most urgent work, Caulfield not only exposes the hazards of misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories, but also charts a clear path forward. Buy it for yourself, and for everyone you know. The truth depends on it.”
—Ziya Tong, award-winning science broadcaster & author of The Reality Bubble

“The Certainty Illusion is the beacon of light that is so badly needed right now to guide us out of the modern dark ages of misinformation and to keep us from collectively losing our minds. In a way that’s fun, incisive, and plain-spoken yet strongly science-informed, Timothy Caulfield wields his expertise and decades of experience as a renowned professor and science communicator to help us understand what is real and what is fake when it comes to sorting through the overwhelming amount of science and health-related information we are faced with every day. This book is as entertaining and hilarious as it is a serious and comprehensive account of how individuals and institutions can carve a helpful path forward in a chaotic information environment that is threatening our health, society, and science itself. Everyone needs to read this book to get a footing in our information landscape or they risk relying on illusion to guide their decisions.”
—Jonathan N. Stea, PhD, author of Mind the Science: Saving your Mental Health from the Wellness Industry

“If you’re fed up with the false promises and scams of the wellness industry, the ‘fad’ health hacks from influencers like the Liver King and Gywneth Paltrow, you need to read The Certainty Illusion. Timothy Caulfield does a fabulous job dissecting misinformation, but more than that, gives you a glimpse into why these false claims have taken such a hold over our society. It’s time to fight fire with facts—and Caulfield does exactly that.”
—Andrea Love, PhD, biomedical scientist and award-winning science communicator