Back in May, I posted a story in which Christopher Chabris reviewed Jonah Lehrer’s new book “Imagine” for the New York Times. In the scathing review, Chabris said:
This may sound like nitpicking. But science writers, like teachers, have an obligation to get the facts right. When enough details are wrong, readers may lose confidence in the big picture.
I then posted Lehrer’s response, in which he admitted to making a few minor factual mistakes while defending the book as a whole:
The question of how to write about science – especially when the science is unsettled and provisional – is something I struggle with every day.
It turns out there were more than just a few minor factual mistakes. Lehrer admitted to blatantly fabricating quotations from Bob Dylan in the book, as reported by Julie Bosman of the New York Times:
The lies are over now. I understand the gravity of my position. I want to apologize to everyone I have let down, especially my editors and readers. I also owe a sincere apology to Mr. Moynihan. I will do my best to correct the record and ensure that my misquotations and mistakes are fixed. I have resigned my position as staff writer at The New Yorker.
My thoughts on Mr. Lehrer are contained in an actual quote from Bob Dylan:
People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then repent.