Comments
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
posted by Le Canard Noir at
3:40 AM
The Quackometer
Experiments and Thoughts on Quackery,
Health Beliefs and Pseudoscience
About Me
The Quackometer has been developed by Andy Lewis. If you wish to get in contact then please read the FAQ and then email me. Details in the About section.
Tools
Get the QuackSafeTM Surfing 4 in 1 Toolbar. Access the quackometer from any web page.
News
The quackometer is currently undergoing redevelopment after a move to new servers.
In the meantime, the quackometer engine is not available.
26 Comments:
Whoa! posting the first comment on the new and improved quackometer site!
Looks really good - and easier to find what you're looking for - excellent!
just a teeny comment. the head profile on the title bar bears passing relation (shudder) to a certain broccoli-for-brains logo....
Did you know the ICR website (http://www.icr.org) gets no canards?
Love the new look BTW
The ICR gets no Canards because they are cranks not quacks. Big difference (usually)
Ah, so what about scientology? some kind of cross-breed - cracks perhaps?
TO WHO WROTE THIS:
"Journals, such as Homeopathy in Practice, look like they do not apply the same standards of refereeing as might be found in real scientific journals. Mastrangelo's paper contains elements of pharmacology, surface and solid-state physics, cosmology, quantum physics and the philosophy of science. Surely the best test of whether Mastrangelo had succeeded in showing homeopathy was a part of science would be to have real scientists in appropriate fields peer review this paper. What I would like to know is how many of the referees for the paper (if it was peer reviewed at all) were suitably qualified in the above subjects.
My guess is none. I shall be writing to find out."
THE PAPER "HORMESIS, EPITAXY, THE STRUCTURE OF LIQUID WATER AND THE SCIENCE OF HOMEOPATHY" HAS BEEN PUBLISHED FIRST BY MEDICAL SCIENCE MONITOR, A PEER REVIEWED SCIENTIFIC (AND NOT HOMEOPATHIC) JOURNAL. IT WAS SUBMITTED TO THREE DIFFERENT AND QUALIFIED REVIEWERS WHO FINALLY GAVE THEIR FULL APPROVAL FOR PUBLICATION. ONLY AFTER ITS PUBLICATION ON MSM, THE EDITORIAL OFFICE OF "HOMEOPATHY IN PRACTICE" ASKED FOR THE PERMISSION TO RE-PUBLISH THE ARTICLE.
NO WONDER YOU DON'T HAVE THIS INFORMATION, BECAUSE YOU SPEAK WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT YOU SAY...I GUESS TO DOCUMENT YOUR BULLSHITS ABOUT MY ARTICLE IS NOT A MAJOR CONCERN FOR YOU, SINCE THIS IS THE WAY TO OPERATE FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU! THEREFORE I WILL NOT ADD COMMENTS TO YOUR GARBAGE!
HOWEVER, IF YOU WANT TO COMPARE YOUR CV WITH MINE, I CAN ACCEPT TO PUBLISH IT ON THIS BLOG...AND WE'LL SEE WHO CAN SPEAK AND OF WHAT!
KMA
DOMENICO MASTRANGELO
[trying not to smirk]
re: the comments from the aggrieved author of that homeo paper.
Well yes, I know it's an ad hom, but really, you'd think by now people would know what the 'caps lock' key does ...
... and you'd also think that if he wanted to create the impression of "heavyweight academic researcher" he'd start by trying to create an aura of *quiet* dignity.
Ciao DOMENICO!
Hadn't been checking these comments for a while. Glad to see you have turned up, but you really ought to buy new keyboard.
Whilst you are doing that, perhaps you would like to tackle my criticisms of your article rather than trying to start a qualifications war.
Typical of homeopaths. Resort to ad-hom in the face of fair criticism.
I think your Quackometer may be too sensitive to "quartz" or "quartz crystals". I searched on my name and got a 7 Canards because of some publications on quartz crystals (which have legit uses in electronics). For example, this symposium from the IEEE (and very non-quarkery organization) http://www.ieee-uffc.org/archive/fc/1988.htm .
When I learned about this tool, I was very excited: "Wow! Finally those who cannot figure out themselves, will have some standard way to check for BS on Web". Unfortunately, I got disappointed when I checked a couple of web sites posting list of published peer reviewed scientific papers (including my own CV ;-( E.g., a list of publications of certain Nobel Prize winner scored 7.
Also, a Web site that posts computer codes of physiologically based pharmacokinetic models scored 8! Sorry, the Quackometer does not work - but the idea is grrreat!
Best wishes. Janusz
I'm still experiencing rendering problems with your site. I'm using FF 2.0.0.6. Plus the counter about the overdue observer apology doesn't display correctly. And IMHO you should stick a link to the About page where you mention reading the FAQ before commenting.
I don't mean to be all down on you, but I thought you might not be aware of this little nags.
Otherwise, keep up the awesome work! Can't believe I've overlooked adding and RSS feed to your blog until now. LCN kicks ass.
Just signed up to your excellent site(via email).
I have emailed a protest to Holland and Barrett
Had no idea this was going on;disgraceful.
Tried to email but couldn't get a link.
dear CN,
why not take a look at www.immunoworks.co.uk
I have an academic and did have a commercial interest in the science of innate immune priming (via U Louisville), and I can tell you that it is an intellectually thrilling and strategically important area. I hate to see the concept being degraded and buzz-words misused to sell a mishmash of unfounded junk (for the most part). A few years ago I would not have objected as there did not appear to be anything substantially useful in this area, but the situation has changed dramatically and as a result selling unproven (and unsubstantiatable) materials to a vulnerable public has become a much more serious offence.
paul clayton
I wouldn't normally come on here and post a plug for anything, but I thought this might amuse the li'l black duck. And, of course, I could do with input from the sort of folks who hang out here...
http://lolquacks.blogspot.com
Yup, it's just what it sounds like ;)
That's a really tough CPA Test Review
le canard I don't know if you ever read this page but could I suggest you add a latest comments section to the front page of your blog. I've noticed that there is often a lot of comment activity on your archived threads, particularly DUllman posting to threads mentioning him. I think it would be useful to be able to see on the front page what new comments have been made.
This blog is run off blogger which is a bit shit at a few things - like recent comments. Does anyone know a good widget for latest comments off all entries?
Hello Andy Lewis, my name is Andrew Harris, i am the owner of Triamazon.com.
Firstly i have not been busted regardless of what the daily mail states (Law suit for defamation pending) Secondley i have no criminal record whatsoever!
Your defamation regarding my product is without doubt as bad as the daily mirror, pure unfounded allegations, i have not been charged with any offences, the product is being tested by the MRHA and the results will end up with egg on theire faces as i will be suing them also, my medical records are testimony along with people who have purchased triamazon, please do not slander me or my product that the PRESS HAVE DONE, READ THE DAILY MAIL STORY fully and you will see the MHRA claim herbs can not cure cancer, this statement makes a mockery of their facts along with the fact that they openly state, the do not know whats in triamazon!so why the heavy tactics? because i have realy exposed the government for failing in its duties of care by denying the information on a superior cancer killer thats non toxic, the government the mhra get paid handsomely by big pharmaceuticals, i know your intentions are for the good of everyone but you realy have fell short on your factual evidence supplied by a corrupt treasonous labour government controlled press and media propaganda machine. my solicitor has the truth all about the product triamazon, call him Keith Dyson Solicitors tel 0161 832 9933 and ask him, and he will confirm it all, any more slander and i will have a private investigator to locate you via your IP ADDRESS AND tell me who you really are and then we will see how you liked being stalked and defamed, you owe me a huge apology you are damaging my name and a good truthfull business with your slader carry on and we will see what your actions will cause you to lose legally.
Call my website tel number and speak with me, i have nothing to hide or be ashamed off, regards, Andrew Harris For and on behalf of www.triamazon.com
Lovely site - quacks are up there with priests in my (not so good) book. Do you ever feature Life coaches - i know at least two who have made a complete balls up of their own lives and families, but who have the nerve to sell their words of wisdom for quite outrageous sums of money....
Dude, you really need to disable caps on these comments ! just a quick note to say YAY FOR QUACKOMETER AND IF SOME LOSER TRIES TO SHUT YOU DOWN THEY'LL HAVE ME TO DEAL WITH !!!
Hi Andy
After doing some extensive research of my own into Joseph Obi (who lives painfully close to me, i.e. in the same country!), I've filed a lengthy complaint (and copious supporting evidence) about RCAM to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement.
More details at http://layscience.net/?q=node/44 .
I'll let you know how I get on.
Martin
I'm having all sorts of confusion in the banner at the top of the page. Lots of things overlaying each other. I'm using XP and Opera. Please sort! Great site otherwise.
Norbury
I was wondering if you know where I could find this surveys negative twin, since this one doesn't give you a choice of a negative option (huge shocker LOL)
http://www.surveymethods.com/Preview.aspx?B3ADB9B4E7FDE4F6F2B9BFB4BFF1E4E2B2F7&
Great site, I wandered on it during a search to back up my posts in a debate about cellular memory in tranplant patients and I have spent more hours than I actually have free reading up and nodding madly.
So Andy, You're pretty shadowy. I searched the whole site to see what medical school you went to. Please tell me.
You seem pretty selective in your "science", leaning only on what supports your prejudice.
You clearly don't like homeopathy. Are you aware of this study in the Lancet, which showed very clearly, double blind etc that it DOES.
[Lancet Dec 10, 1994:344, p 1585]
In fact it was so conclusively favourable the editor could only bleat that "... we must ask if the technique of randomized controlled trials is fundamentally flawed, and capable of producing evidence for effects that do not exist, by, for example, the effects of clinicians' expectations of outcome transmitting by subtle effects that circumvent double blinding?"
[Lancet 1994;344;1601- 06]
It seems odd that ignorant people (I would not exclude you) say that homeopathy does not meet scientific criteria and when it does, the official view is that there must be something wrong the standard scientific method!
I think it's just slander on decent homeopaths (I'm not a homeopath).
You also attack the human energetic aura and maintain there is no way to measure it. Are you aware of SQUIDs which show a clear EM energetic shell out to 15 feet or more? Or that these devices show clear detectable energy fields emanating from the hands of "healers"? No you wouldn't know that, I suppose.
It's nice to have a "balance" but not a balance of all crap!
Try and be the champion of truth you claim to be.
Keith Scott-Mumby
MD, MB ChB, PhD
www.alternative-doctor.com
BTW if you call the Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital (0141 211 1600) they'll tell you about the diphtheria epidemic in which 100% of children survived, while mortality raged at 50% in the conventional world you espouse so uncomplainingly.
So, Dr Scott-Mumby, one-time Professor of 'Energy medicine', what is your best, best evidence for the existence of a 'human energetic aura' and how healers can manipulate it. Please give full references to studies or reviews.
You do some really great work on this site BUT the comments on the Hypothyroidism medication is ,to be polite.utter drivel! I have contacted three eminent Harly St doctors they ALL agree that the blood test does not always show up the problem.If someone displays the symptoms they can be given the lowest dose of Thyroxine and see whether it results in improvement.
Ahhh. harly [sic] street. The quackiest street in the UK. Please reference what you say and leave a comment on the thread you are talking about.
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