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Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 4:16 pm
by Snorri1234
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dana-ullman/how-homeopathic-medicines_b_389146.htmlSeriously, so fucking dumb. Unlike a lot of other alternative treatments, it was
dumb from the start. You know how Hahneman tested his medicines at first? By not treating sick people but healthy ones. The basis is unbelievably dumb, that article I linked is so full of ridiculous analogies and bad science.
But there are a lot of people who believe in it. Why?
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:02 pm
by Timminz
Snorri1234 wrote:But there are a lot of people who believe in it. Why?
A good enough pitch will sell anything to anyone.
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:03 pm
by lgoasklucyl
Timminz wrote:Snorri1234 wrote:But there are a lot of people who believe in it. Why?
A good enough pitch will sell anything to anyone.
He speaks the truth.
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:03 pm
by captainwalrus
It is commonly assumed that homeopathic medicines are composed of extremely small doses of medicinal substances. And yet, does anyone refer to an atomic bomb as an extremely small dose of a bomb?
Lol!
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:51 pm
by AndyDufresne
Timminz wrote:Snorri1234 wrote:But there are a lot of people who believe in it. Why?
A good enough pitch will sell anything to anyone.
Right. I remember looking through an old Harper's Weekly from the late 1800's, and the advertisements in the back were good for a smile and head scratch---the classic snake oils, and other things, but my favorite was the advertisement that included this text:
"Self propelling chair for cripples and invalids. Can be easily propelled, either in or out doors, by anyone having hands."
But specifically on Homeopathy, I've known someone who was completely obsessed with such remedies and cures...and it was mildly frightening.
--Andy
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:08 pm
by Titanic
Bad Science by Ben Goldacre covers this very well. Its a load of bull and has been forever...
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:10 pm
by Woodruff
Snorri1234 wrote:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dana-ullman/how-homeopathic-medicines_b_389146.htmlSeriously, so fucking dumb. Unlike a lot of other alternative treatments, it was
dumb from the start. You know how Hahneman tested his medicines at first? By not treating sick people but healthy ones. The basis is unbelievably dumb, that article I linked is so full of ridiculous analogies and bad science.
But there are a lot of people who believe in it. Why?
Isn't chiropractory considered homeopathic medicine?
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:12 pm
by AAFitz
Timminz wrote:Snorri1234 wrote:But there are a lot of people who believe in it. Why?
A good enough pitch will sell anything to anyone.
Correction: to some of the people all of the time, to all of the people some of the time, but never all of the people all of the time.
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 9:32 pm
by john9blue
Woodruff wrote:Isn't chiropractory considered homeopathic medicine?
BUT IT'S NOT SCIENTIFIC!!
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 9:46 pm
by Phatscotty
lgoasklucyl wrote:Timminz wrote:Snorri1234 wrote:But there are a lot of people who believe in it. Why?
A good enough pitch will sell anything to anyone.
He speaks the truth.
mos def fo sho
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 9:48 pm
by Army of GOD
I feel like porkenbeans wrote the article.
Homeopathy works! I'm smarter than you!
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 8:32 am
by Snorri1234
Woodruff wrote:Snorri1234 wrote:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dana-ullman/how-homeopathic-medicines_b_389146.htmlSeriously, so fucking dumb. Unlike a lot of other alternative treatments, it was
dumb from the start. You know how Hahneman tested his medicines at first? By not treating sick people but healthy ones. The basis is unbelievably dumb, that article I linked is so full of ridiculous analogies and bad science.
But there are a lot of people who believe in it. Why?
Isn't chiropractory considered homeopathic medicine?
Yes, that is also dumb.
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 8:38 am
by Timminz
AAFitz wrote:Timminz wrote:Snorri1234 wrote:But there are a lot of people who believe in it. Why?
A good enough pitch will sell anything to anyone.
Correction: to some of the people all of the time, to all of the people some of the time, but never all of the people all of the time.
No correction necessary. Not every potential buyer needs to be fooled.
edit- I think I can see where you would be confused if you thought I meant, "There is a pitch that will sell anything to anyone."
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:11 am
by Neoteny
john9blue wrote:Woodruff wrote:Isn't chiropractory considered homeopathic medicine?
BUT IT'S NOT SCIENTIFIC!!
You're right for once!
Also: "ugh" at HuffPo...
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:15 am
by Snorri1234
Neoteny wrote:john9blue wrote:Woodruff wrote:Isn't chiropractory considered homeopathic medicine?
BUT IT'S NOT SCIENTIFIC!!
You're right for once!
Also: "ugh" at HuffPo...
Yeah, the Huffington Post is full of crazy when it's about alternative medicine.
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 12:09 pm
by john9blue
So basically, if something works, but we don't know why it works, we shouldn't use it? That is the definition of closed-mindedness...
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 12:21 pm
by natty dread
basically, if something works, but we don't know why it works, we shouldn't use it?
Actually, generally speaking, no, since we wouldn't know about possible harmful side-effects.
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 12:31 pm
by Timminz
john9blue wrote:So basically, if something works, but we don't know why it works, we shouldn't use it? That is the definition of closed-mindedness...
You are a fascinating little fellow. I know a psychologist, or two, who would probably love to interview you.
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 12:33 pm
by oVo
That article is dumb.
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 12:46 pm
by Snorri1234
john9blue wrote:So basically, if something works, but we don't know why it works, we shouldn't use it?
Probably not, no.
But if it doesn't work and we know why it doesn't work, we really shouldn't use it. Homeopathy is dumb
and it doesn't work.
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 1:16 pm
by Snorri1234
Other things that are dumb:
-Libertarianism.
-acupuncture
-abstinence only education
-chiropracty
-nutritionists
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 1:22 pm
by Snorri1234
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 2:23 pm
by Neoteny
To be fair, there are a few chiropractors who are like "if popping your back feels good, then I can do that relatively safely, and you will probably feel pretty good afterward." Unfortunately there are too many who go the "popping your back will cure cancer" route...
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 2:33 pm
by Snorri1234
Neoteny wrote:To be fair, there are a few chiropractors who are like "if popping your back feels good, then I can do that relatively safely, and you will probably feel pretty good afterward." Unfortunately there are too many who go the "popping your back will cure cancer" route...
Yeah I don't mind if they're basically massagists. But the idea behind it is based on some holistic bullshit.
Besides, it can be dangerous. (Though mostly in the neck-area.)
Re: Homeopathy is dumb.
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 2:34 pm
by oVo
Snorri1234 wrote:Other things that are dumb:
-Libertarianism.
-acupuncture
-abstinence only education
-chiropractors
-nutritionists
I disagree... having no problem with acupuncture, chiropractors, nutritionists
or other sources of natural healing. Maybe you have personal experience with
Libertarianism and abstinence only education, but avoided the rest and accept
the hearsay testimony of naysayers about potential health alternatives.