Sense About Science Praises Derren Brown

Following up its 2007 report about how celebrities mislead the public on scientific issues, Sense About Science has issued a report praising Derren Brown for providing correct scientific information to his audiences.

O.K., the report actually focuses on celebrity blunders and only notes DB in passing. But it's a positive note. The full report can be found here.

And here is the excerpt about Derren (from page 2):

...some people in the public eye have been active in promoting stronger public understanding of science. For example Derren Brown provided information on peer reviewed science to his audience. But a small group of people in the public eye promote pseudoscience without embarrassment and cannot be dissuaded from it.

It is ironic that a mentalist/illusionist (i.e., someone who misleads people as a form of entertainment) is praised for the accuracy of his information -- but there it is.