I wish there were a stronger recourse than ridicule or anger to this increasing phenomenon. Sadly there isn’t, but please: if you’re a journalist, editor, blogger, conference speaker, tweeter, next time you write “recent research shows…” please put a link or a reference to that research. If you don’t, it shows that you’re either (a) not sure that it does show what you’re trying to claim, and don’t want readers to make an independent judgement, (b) intellectually lazy, or (c) just making it up. If you’re writing online, a link is good. If in text, a shortened URL will do just fine. As long as it’s there.

After all, recent research shows that people who don’t cite their references go on to have incredibly disappointing sex lives.*

* I made that up. But at least I’m telling you that I made it up.

Schmap time! Nevertheless, I’m not about to give up the day job (correction, any of the day jobs…)

The Eccles centre for American Studies, based in the British Library, hosts an annual lecture - the Douglas W. Bryant lecture - in memory of a former President of the BL’s American Trust. They’re given by international figures, the subjects ranging from political to economic and cultural concerns, and I’ve attended the last three or so.
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