Last Week In Science-Based Medicine
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- Written by Dr. Harriet Hall
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Here is a recap of the stories that appeared last week at Science-Based Medicine, a multi-author skeptical blog that separates the science from the woo-woo in medicine.
The final nail in the coffin for the antivaccine rallying cry “Too many too soon”? (David Gorski) http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/the-final-nail-in-the-coffin-for-the-antivaccine-rallying-cry-too-many-too-soon/ Vaccine critics claim that infants can’t handle all those antigens in vaccines so early in life. A new study clearly put that concern to rest: it showed no association between the number of vaccine antigens a child was exposed to and the development of autism. Doctors who advocate a delayed vaccine schedule have tried to discredit the study but have only succeeded in demonstrating their ignorance of immunology and the scientific method.
AAFP CME Program Succumbs to “Integrative Medicine” (Harriet Hall) http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/aafp-cme-program-succumbs-to-integrative-medicine/ “Integrative medicine” is a marketing term that encourages mixing quackery with science-based medicine. The Continuing Medical Education program of the American Academy of Family Physicians has gone over to the dark side and produced a whole monograph on integrative medicine. There are obvious flaws in its “evidence” and reasoning.
JREF Congratulates Penn & Teller!
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Yesterday, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce presented a star on the Walk of Fame to the great Penn & Teller. It is located at 7003 Hollywood Boulevard, close to Houdini’s star, and right down the street from the The Magic Castle, and also down the street from James Randi Educational Foundation's L.A. headquarters. Magician David Copperfield and South Park co-creator Trey Parker gave remarks at the ceremony, a video of which can be seen in its entirety at the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce website.
Penn & Teller have had one of the most successful careers in magic and entertainment, and have been partners for over 35 years. They’ve had world tours, sold-out runs on Broadway, Emmy-winning TV specials, and hundreds of outrageous appearances on television. They’ve won “Las Vegas Magicians of the Year” six times during their 10-year run at The Rio, and have outsold every other resident magician on the Las Vegas Strip. They are also well-known for their Showtime series “Penn & Teller: Bullshit!,” which was nominated for 13 Emmys and is the longest-running series in the history of the network.
In his remarks, Penn, speaking for the duo, said:
We’ve got to thank -- and I don’t know whether to put him first or to put him last -- but to both us us, and to me personally . . . the most important person outside of our families is James Randi, the Amazing Randi. It is very very safe to say that if there were no James Randi, there’s no way there could be a Penn and Teller.
He met us when we were very young, and in many senses, he’s created us. And all the stuff Trey said about trying to deal with reality and deal with the universe as it is — that all was handed to us directly by Randi. He has the James Randi Educational Foundation. Outside of my family, certainly the most important person to me, the person I call with every problem, every hope, and the person who is most here in spirit is Randi. Randi, we love you, and thank you so much.
Randi, in Los Angeles this weekend on JREF business and to attend The Academy of Magical Arts' annual award show Sunday (Penn and Teller are receiving the coveted Magician of the Year award!), had this to say:
I can’t tell you how proud I am of The Guys. If I had anything to do with their worldview or their stunning success, I will only say that without their personal integrity, and their adherence to the best principles of both show business and fair treatment of their audiences, they could not have received this very prestigious honor. They are among the leading voices for rationality in the world today, and I know they will continue speaking truth through the Bullshit — hey, that’s a good name for a show! They have never disappointed me, they have never let me down in any way — something I cannot say about all those persons to whom I have reached out — and I am confident not only of their continued success, but of their ability to delight me in all ways. My personal love and congratulations.
Rbutr – The future of global discourse
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- Written by Shane Greenup
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How many times, while reading a great debunking, do you find yourself wishing you could get that debunking in front of the people who are reading about the woo? To get them the information they need, right when it matters? Right when they start forming their opinions about the subject...
Imagine an Internet where debunkings and rebuttals are made available right where the claims are being made. An Internet where there is no corner for ignorance to hide and multiply itself with self-referential confirmation. An Internet where our ever-present confirmation bias filters receive constant cracks in them, forcing us to thoroughly check our own thoughts...
Join us for "Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia", a Live JREF Workshop
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On Sunday, April 14th, the JREF will be hosting a live workshop at our Hollywood headquarters. Presented by skeptical activist Susan Gerbic, "Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia" will teach you how to edit and expand Wikipedia in a way that challenges unsupported claims, spreads truthful information about pseudoscience and the paranormal, and helps the public have a better understanding of science and critical thinking.
Gerbic began the "Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia" project in 2011, and the project now has 80 volunteers editing in 17 languages. Gerbic is a co-founder of the Monterey County Skeptics and a steering member of the Independent Investigations Group.
Please join us at our offices in Hollywood on Sunday, April 14th, at 11am for this enlightening and inspiring presentation. The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. To RSVP, visit our Facebook event page.
What's A Poor Skeptic To Do?
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- Written by Jamy Iam Swiss
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A new poll was just released by Public Policy Polling, concerning Americans’ belief (and disbelief) in conspiracy theories. This headline from MSN.com tells the story well, especially for skeptics.
True dat.
Among other results, the poll reports that:
21% of voters believe the government covered up a UFO crash at Roswell (27% of Romney voters believe in the cover-up as compared with 16% of Obama voters)
20% of voters believe there is a link between childhood vaccines and autism, 51% do not
13% think Obama is the Antichrist
9% of voters think the government adds fluoride to our water supply for sinister reasons (not just dental health)
7% of voters think the moon landing was faked
5% of voters believe that Paul McCartney actually died in 1966
4% believe that "shape-shifting reptilian people control our world by taking on human form and gaining political power to manipulate our societies."
14% of voters believe in Bigfoot
What’s a poor skeptic to do?
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