tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post3852290352162584873..comments2023-10-30T03:58:20.807-04:00Comments on Small Town Skepticism: Homeopaths have rallied the troops (Homeopathy gets smackdown on Marketplace - Friday @ 8PM)sarniaskeptichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02183125250166884307noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-75890683812474592402012-04-16T12:34:03.252-04:002012-04-16T12:34:03.252-04:00I'm against homeopathy too. And I also wrote a...I'm against homeopathy too. And I also wrote an article on it. Check it out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-9832978582097217952011-01-16T19:58:19.625-05:002011-01-16T19:58:19.625-05:00http://is.gd/AFebFy<a href="http://is.gd/AFebFy" rel="nofollow">http://is.gd/AFebFy</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-7201313666632498852011-01-16T13:30:42.039-05:002011-01-16T13:30:42.039-05:00S.T.
Posted on January 14, 2011 5:07 PM
That was ...S.T.<br />Posted on January 14, 2011 5:07 PM<br /><br />That was the last comment they posted. I am logged in. AM I missing something? There is 278 comments since that time.RealityinSarniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11114644616793206954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-58389443355813479472011-01-16T10:45:57.084-05:002011-01-16T10:45:57.084-05:00Reality: the comments section isn't closed. Yo...Reality: the comments section isn't closed. You have to create an account or login first. I have posts on both the blog and the story.sarniaskeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02183125250166884307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-21624956948023088702011-01-15T12:38:01.258-05:002011-01-15T12:38:01.258-05:00Too bad the comments section on the CBC web site i...Too bad the comments section on the CBC web site is closed well before the show aired...... Maybe someone should have posted the show ad up on Pharyngula before to get all those real skeptics to post comments to flood out the nutters.<br /><br />The homeopath followers are not listening to logic and reason. Sounds just like the religious nutters..... Wait, they are the same people in most cases.<br /><br />I would have liked to have joined their Homeopathy OD demonstration but I think it would be just throwing money away on sugar candy and making those marketers richer.<br /><br />Maybe a mass demonstration of overdosing in front of the Ontario Parliament is in order. Probably wouldn't do anything because they don't listen to logic as well.RealityinSarniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11114644616793206954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-37822261558902104572011-01-15T10:20:03.799-05:002011-01-15T10:20:03.799-05:00Wow Carl.
First, it appears that maybe only carl ...Wow Carl.<br /><br />First, it appears that maybe only carl actually read the blog entry. <br /><br />I checked out the link to trarumeel - the link is another blog but it does reference a number of studies - none of which appear to support any claims of efficacy. If you can find any such studies, post the links here. Note that anecdotes are not studies.<br /><br />I'm not surprised by the responses from the people who support homeopathy - they accept it because they lack the basic understanding of science and logic. Not a single claim in favour of homeopathy has been anything but a logical fallacy.<br /><br />Let's consider them:<br /><br /><a href="http://skepticwiki.org/index.php/Argument_from_Popularity" rel="nofollow">Argument from popularity (argumentum ad populam)</a><br />Popularity of something does not mean anything other than it is popular. Or, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujUQn0HhGEk" rel="nofollow">as Tim Minchin would say,</a> just because ideas are tenacious does not mean they are worthy.<br /><br /><a href="http://skepticwiki.org/index.php/Argument_from_Authority" rel="nofollow">Argument from authority</a><br />In other words, if someone you respect tells you something it doesn't make it true. The argument is either valid or it isn't - it doesn't matter who is making it (many on the marketplace site were referring to scientists and doctors and nobel laureates who they claim accept homeopathy)<br /><br /><a href="http://writingishard.wordpress.com/category/logical-fallacy-friday/" rel="nofollow">Argument from anecdotes</a><br />I've said this many times before - the plural of anecdotes is NOT data. Point me to the science that shows it works - I really don't care if you think it worked for you because simply arguing from anecdote means you don't know 1.) logical fallacies and 2.) how science works and, therefore, you almost certainly don't understand the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_history_of_disease" rel="nofollow">natural history of the diseases/problems</a> you are claiming to have cured and you must certainly don't understand <a href="http://cubiksrube.wordpress.com/2009/08/08/regression-to-the-mean/" rel="nofollow">regression to the mean</a>. This point was addressed clearly in my blog and carl made a reference to it.<br /><br />The placebo effect is all that homeopathy can be and it is something that can be see in babies and animals - it is not simply expectation bias. And I do have concerns with the ethical implications of lying to people to achieve placebo. Mostly because <a href="http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=158" rel="nofollow">the placebo effect doesn't change anything binary - it can't/doesn't cure anything. At best people might think they're better or report being better.</a> Informed consent also comes to mind but, possibly more importantly, trust in science is undermined if they realize we are lying to people (though people still trust Homeopaths even though they simply lie to people) just to make them think they're feeling better. It also falsely suggests some level of causation as it relates to a change in condition when the natural progression of the disease, itself, is the real cause.<br /><br />Carl also makes a valid point or two (and I giggled at his approach). When homeopathy fails for you, I pray (not really) that you are somehow unable to get real medical attention - your delayed diagnoses and treatment should not mean an increase in my healthcare costs. If you deny real treatments to your children and they are harmed by it, I hope that you spend a long time behind bars for neglect or manslaughter (now that you've been informed, why not murder?)<br /><br />Now, homeopathic sympathizers, get back to not thinking for yourselves.sarniaskeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02183125250166884307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-73161928683885577282011-01-15T10:09:23.033-05:002011-01-15T10:09:23.033-05:00You should learn the science before you start post...You should learn the science before you start posting stupid blog entries. By the way, your grammar and writing is horrendous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-39436729958572404532011-01-14T23:13:26.511-05:002011-01-14T23:13:26.511-05:00OMG, this is hilarious to read as with so many oth...OMG, this is hilarious to read as with so many other blogs about Homeopathy.<br /> <br /><br />No wonder Homeopathy is growing. There seems to be alot of people using this stuff. <br /><br />I'm going to smoke my weed - its natural and it works.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-27892355611622970442011-01-14T23:02:24.600-05:002011-01-14T23:02:24.600-05:00I sense your frustration Carl and even your anger....I sense your frustration Carl and even your anger. Its quite obvious.<br /><br />I recommend seeing a Naturopathic or Homeopathic Doctor.<br /><br />Homeopathic medicine is the fastest growing form of medicine because it works. <br /><br />Do you really think it would continue to grow in popularity if it didn't work ? <br /><br />I stand by my earlier statement. Homeopathy & Naturopathic Medicine works for me, for my baby and for my husband, for my friends and it will work for you.Sarah Coynenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-44655985720654192132011-01-14T22:49:59.992-05:002011-01-14T22:49:59.992-05:00I just noticed that someone selected a specific li...I just noticed that someone selected a specific link to TRAUMEEL, but failed to post other links to the studies.<br /><br />Here are the scientific publications to TRAUMEEL<br /><br />http://www.traumeel.com/upload/Publications_484.pdf<br /><br />I'll still use the TRAUMEEL after my hockey games.Jasonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-27685432938687212292011-01-14T22:23:06.556-05:002011-01-14T22:23:06.556-05:00Go Carl!!!!!!!!!!!Go Carl!!!!!!!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-11265359182325783372011-01-14T21:32:03.858-05:002011-01-14T21:32:03.858-05:00Gail, you are fucking retarded. Science is self-co...Gail, you are fucking retarded. Science is self-correcting and knowledge advances. Your tooth-fairy science is a cult with no evidence. Homeopathic treatments have been recalled too - what's your fucking point?<br /><br />200 years and no evidence sounds like something you should put your trust in. I hope they deny you real treatment when you need it because you've just insulted the professions that have enabled you live to twice as long as people could when your messiah came up with his absurd cult (homeopathy).<br /><br />Sara. It didn't work for you. Look up 'natural history' of the disease and look up 'regression to the mean'. Put your anecdotes aside and present the evidence or put your head further up your ass and stop breeding. Did you not even read this guys blog? A teething 'treatment' was recalled - these products are not tested for efficacy and safety before they hit the shelves.Carlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-4781756731790945592011-01-14T21:00:55.542-05:002011-01-14T21:00:55.542-05:00My baby was teething and I used Camilia - a homeop...My baby was teething and I used Camilia - a homeopathic medicine . The homeopathic medicine worked fast and settled by child. I support the use of Homeopathic medicine. My Naturopathic Doctor prescibes them for my family and for myself. I have benefited greatly . Thank you.Sara Coynenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-8873942481797927662011-01-14T20:53:59.317-05:002011-01-14T20:53:59.317-05:00Here's one of many announcement about the bene...Here's one of many announcement about the benefits of 'real medicine'<br /><br />November 19, 2010 — The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked that propoxyphene, sold under the brand names Darvon and Darvocet by Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, be removed from the US market. The decision will also affect generic manufacturers and the makers of propoxyphene-containing products.<br /><br />New clinical data showing that the drug puts patients at risk for potentially serious or even fatal heart rhythm abnormalities has prompted regulators to act. An estimated 10 million patients have used these products.Gailnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-24263529835608665102011-01-14T18:11:12.804-05:002011-01-14T18:11:12.804-05:00http://saveyourself.ca/articles/reality-checks/tra...http://saveyourself.ca/articles/reality-checks/traumeel.phpAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-42373662346458579042011-01-14T18:08:44.192-05:002011-01-14T18:08:44.192-05:00You should do more posts like this. I loved it! Sa...You should do more posts like this. I loved it! Sarnia needs more like you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-36338721124480619272011-01-13T23:06:38.767-05:002011-01-13T23:06:38.767-05:00The nutters are all out tonight!
Homeopathy is Bu...The nutters are all out tonight!<br /><br />Homeopathy is Bullshit. You are all wasting your money and time that you could be taking real medicine that will actually do something.<br /><br />If it worked, it would be called medicine but it doesn't.RealityinSarniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11114644616793206954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-30519239739765941152011-01-13T22:12:38.898-05:002011-01-13T22:12:38.898-05:00Frankly, I have used Homeopathic medicine known as...Frankly, I have used Homeopathic medicine known as TRAUMEEL for my sports injury. <br />Its not a narcotic or a steroid. <br />It works and Homeopathic medicine works for me and my family.Jasonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-79231891757095423612011-01-13T21:55:19.588-05:002011-01-13T21:55:19.588-05:00Myths about homeopathy 3:
"Homeopathy is onl...Myths about homeopathy 3:<br /><br />"Homeopathy is only the placebo effect" <br /><br />This myth is one which is often adopted by people who know nothing at all about homeopathy. A so-called "pop-myth".<br /><br />Before addressing this myth, it is necessary to make it clear that the placebo effect is not an imaginary benefit. Often this claim is meant to imply that the patient has not really got better, they just think they have. But this overlooks the fact that people who benefit from the placebo effect really do get better. In fact, for conventional doctors the only difference between getting better from a conventional treatment and a placebo is that they cannot explain why the placebo has made someone better. In a sense, the fact that conventional medicine has a problem with explaining homeopathy means that it is by definition a placebo for them. Of course any new treatment they cannot yet explain is theoretically a placebo too.<br /><br />The placebo effect is also dependent on the patient expecting a particular result. So with the huge investment in marketing conventional drugs, one should logically expect an enhanced placebo effect from use of those drugs. The idea that an unconventional treatment, which is regularly ridiculed by conventional medical practitioners and experts, has a more powerful placebo effect than would happen with conventional drugs, is a denial of the principles of the effect.<br /><br />In fact, when it comes to the details, the myth breaks down completely. In the conventional placebo effect the symptoms which the patient believes are being treated get better, but the reaction to a homeopathic remedy is much more complicated. In some cases the patient does claim to feel better, but there is no indication of real change in the symptoms, and for a homeopath this is the true placebo effect. Where changes are observed they reveal a great deal about the case. For example, a homeopath can identify that:<br /><br />a there is a serious problem of pathological change in the body's tissues<br />b the patient is only being palliated by the remedy<br />c the patient is being made worse by the remedy<br />d the patient has not reacted<br />e the patient is getting better, but the potency is not the best one<br />f the patient is getting better but the remedy is not the best one<br />g the patient is getting better and the choice of remedy and potency are exactly rightThis range of reactions cannot be explained by the conventional placebo effect.<br /><br />The myth also breaks down when you consider how remedies are tested to find out what they can do. Homeopaths test substances for use as remedies by giving healthy people a potentised form of the substance (usually 30c). This is exactly the same form of dose given to patients, and it is given until the provers (the people testing the remedy) start to have symptoms. The symptoms that follow are recorded in as much detail as possible, including the time and speed of onset, the precise location and nature of the symptoms, and the things which make them better or worse. By gathering this information from a number of different people of different ages and both sexes, it is possible to establish a picture of the way the remedy acts. This is impossible to explain by placebo effect and proves that the remedies can act on the human body in precise ways, even if the mechanism of action is unknown.<br /><br />Evidence of remedies working on babies and animals also disproves the placebo effect theory, since they do not understand the world about them sufficiently to be able to believe that a remedy is going to do them good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-44228261673739668792011-01-13T21:55:01.110-05:002011-01-13T21:55:01.110-05:00Myths about homeopathy 3:
"Homeopathy is onl...Myths about homeopathy 3:<br /><br />"Homeopathy is only the placebo effect" <br /><br />This myth is one which is often adopted by people who know nothing at all about homeopathy. A so-called "pop-myth".<br /><br />Before addressing this myth, it is necessary to make it clear that the placebo effect is not an imaginary benefit. Often this claim is meant to imply that the patient has not really got better, they just think they have. But this overlooks the fact that people who benefit from the placebo effect really do get better. In fact, for conventional doctors the only difference between getting better from a conventional treatment and a placebo is that they cannot explain why the placebo has made someone better. In a sense, the fact that conventional medicine has a problem with explaining homeopathy means that it is by definition a placebo for them. Of course any new treatment they cannot yet explain is theoretically a placebo too.<br /><br />The placebo effect is also dependent on the patient expecting a particular result. So with the huge investment in marketing conventional drugs, one should logically expect an enhanced placebo effect from use of those drugs. The idea that an unconventional treatment, which is regularly ridiculed by conventional medical practitioners and experts, has a more powerful placebo effect than would happen with conventional drugs, is a denial of the principles of the effect.<br /><br />In fact, when it comes to the details, the myth breaks down completely. In the conventional placebo effect the symptoms which the patient believes are being treated get better, but the reaction to a homeopathic remedy is much more complicated. In some cases the patient does claim to feel better, but there is no indication of real change in the symptoms, and for a homeopath this is the true placebo effect. Where changes are observed they reveal a great deal about the case. For example, a homeopath can identify that:<br /><br />a there is a serious problem of pathological change in the body's tissues<br />b the patient is only being palliated by the remedy<br />c the patient is being made worse by the remedy<br />d the patient has not reacted<br />e the patient is getting better, but the potency is not the best one<br />f the patient is getting better but the remedy is not the best one<br />g the patient is getting better and the choice of remedy and potency are exactly rightThis range of reactions cannot be explained by the conventional placebo effect.<br /><br />The myth also breaks down when you consider how remedies are tested to find out what they can do. Homeopaths test substances for use as remedies by giving healthy people a potentised form of the substance (usually 30c). This is exactly the same form of dose given to patients, and it is given until the provers (the people testing the remedy) start to have symptoms. The symptoms that follow are recorded in as much detail as possible, including the time and speed of onset, the precise location and nature of the symptoms, and the things which make them better or worse. By gathering this information from a number of different people of different ages and both sexes, it is possible to establish a picture of the way the remedy acts. This is impossible to explain by placebo effect and proves that the remedies can act on the human body in precise ways, even if the mechanism of action is unknown.<br /><br />Evidence of remedies working on babies and animals also disproves the placebo effect theory, since they do not understand the world about them sufficiently to be able to believe that a remedy is going to do them good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726306875167162020.post-26794315356058160982011-01-13T21:52:07.400-05:002011-01-13T21:52:07.400-05:00Myths about homeopathy 1:
"It is all mumbo j...Myths about homeopathy 1:<br /><br />"It is all mumbo jumbo, and modern science has shown it to be nonsense"<br /><br />This myth is rarely stated as baldly as this, perhaps because it is so easy to disprove. Virtually every argument against homeopathy which is used today was used within the first 50 years of the discovery of its principles. For example, in a UK television programme on Channel 4 in 2007 Professor Dawkins compared the preparation of a remedy to adding a single drop to the ocean, an argument specifically countered by Hahnemann in 1827 (Samuel Hahnemann, 'How can small doses of such very attenuated medicine as homoeopathy employs still possess great power?' (Reine Arzeneimittellehre vi, 1827, reprinted in Lesser Writings (New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers Pvt. Ltd., 2002) p.729). <br /><br />In fact, the only really new argument (that homeopathy is proved ineffective during scientific trials) is fundamentally flawed. In the 1950s the dramatic failure of the methods of testing drugs (such as Thalidomide) led to the proposal that double blind randomised control trials (DBRCTs) should be used. These trials were proposed because the large number of unknown factors affecting such tests made it impossible to assess accurately the effects of a new medicine. Since then these factors have remained unknown, and drugs have still been withdrawn after being adopted on the basis of DBRCT results (such as Vioxx). In other words, this approach has shown itself to be inadequate, but there has still been no significant development in medical science which could allow it to be replaced with a more accurate method of testing. This also means that there has been no significant development in medical science capable of disproving homeopathy, despite the claims of its opponents.<br /><br />In the field of biology the modern understanding of the body as a homeostatic system (a reworking of knowledge already in existence in Hahnemann's day) leads necessarily to homeopathic treatment being the correct approach. In the field of physics there is increasing evidence pointing in the direction of an explanation for how homeopathy works.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com