http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2010/01/we-would-be-sceptics-answer-to-jedward.html Experiments and Thoughts on Quackery, Health Beliefs and Pseudoscience Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:47:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2010/01/we-would-be-sceptics-answer-to-jedward.html#comment-9320 Stewart Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:51:21 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2010/01/we-would-be-the-sceptics-answer-to-jedward-if-i-had-any-hair.html#comment-9320 Billy Joe that doesn't sound very Jedward at all. I'm trying to think of an alternative star with a beard and shaved head but they are as few as the hairs between their ears. Billy Joe that doesn't sound very Jedward at all. I'm trying to think of an alternative star with a beard and shaved head but they are as few as the hairs between their ears.

]]> http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2010/01/we-would-be-sceptics-answer-to-jedward.html#comment-9311 BillyJoe Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:46:54 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2010/01/we-would-be-the-sceptics-answer-to-jedward-if-i-had-any-hair.html#comment-9311 Okay, I'm going to say it: Simon has a [expletive deleted] terrible hairdo. He'd be better to shave the whole damn thing off!<br />Go bald....and grow a beard! ;) Okay, I'm going to say it: Simon has a [expletive deleted] terrible hairdo. He'd be better to shave the whole damn thing off!
Go bald….and grow a beard!

]]> http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2010/01/we-would-be-sceptics-answer-to-jedward.html#comment-9310 Anonymous Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:44:51 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2010/01/we-would-be-the-sceptics-answer-to-jedward-if-i-had-any-hair.html#comment-9310 Since low dilutions are weak (6C), then why isn't there an illegal trade in 30C dilutions since they can be made from the 6C solutions, further diluted and sold under the counter or in back alleys where there must be a large illicit trade in homeopathic meds. Since low dilutions are weak (6C), then why isn't there an illegal trade in 30C dilutions since they can be made from the 6C solutions, further diluted and sold under the counter or in back alleys where there must be a large illicit trade in homeopathic meds.

]]> http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2010/01/we-would-be-sceptics-answer-to-jedward.html#comment-9302 Cavall de Quer Sun, 31 Jan 2010 08:42:38 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2010/01/we-would-be-the-sceptics-answer-to-jedward-if-i-had-any-hair.html#comment-9302 "David Colquhoun, professor of pharmacology at University College London, has long been concerned about the rising popularity of homeopathy. When he passes a chemist, he likes to carry out an experiment, asking the pharmacist what natural remedy they would recommend for his sickly grandchild, who has suffered from "terrible diarrhoea for days". Just one in 10 chemists advises him to send the child to a doctor immediately, or choose a conventional rehydration treatment – the course of action recommended by the medical profession."<br />This came from one of the stories about the placebocide and the thought occurred to me: isn't this just the reaction that many people have to others' complaints - i.e., 1) doubt that it's not just "all in their head", or not true in some way or "their own fault"? and therefore 2)inclination to offer less than genuine sympathy/help? A way of distancing oneself from possible complications. Of course, professional pharmacists should not take this stance - and even less in such a concrete case - but it may be so automatic it passes without their own notice. The offer of homeopathic remedies might actually be a non-offensive way of saying "Not my problem" or "I don't believe you", without explicitly rejecting the proffered story or opening oneself to the accusation of failing to provide help. "David Colquhoun, professor of pharmacology at University College London, has long been concerned about the rising popularity of homeopathy. When he passes a chemist, he likes to carry out an experiment, asking the pharmacist what natural remedy they would recommend for his sickly grandchild, who has suffered from "terrible diarrhoea for days". Just one in 10 chemists advises him to send the child to a doctor immediately, or choose a conventional rehydration treatment – the course of action recommended by the medical profession."
This came from one of the stories about the placebocide and the thought occurred to me: isn't this just the reaction that many people have to others' complaints – i.e., 1) doubt that it's not just "all in their head", or not true in some way or "their own fault"? and therefore 2)inclination to offer less than genuine sympathy/help? A way of distancing oneself from possible complications. Of course, professional pharmacists should not take this stance – and even less in such a concrete case – but it may be so automatic it passes without their own notice. The offer of homeopathic remedies might actually be a non-offensive way of saying "Not my problem" or "I don't believe you", without explicitly rejecting the proffered story or opening oneself to the accusation of failing to provide help.

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