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In reply to the discussion: How "woo" graduates to "not woo". [View all]Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)81. it is a process, not a static set of beliefs.
"the consensus" on anything can change tomorrow. The process for evaluating efficacy through repeatable controlled experimentation has all sorts of problems, but it is simply the best mechanism we have for objective evaluation of what works, and what doesn't.
Scientific method lead to the conclusion that gay people had a disorder which was curable.
Not really. That is a poor example. Psychiatry classified homosexuality as a mental disorder because of prevailing prejudices, not because there was valid evidence. If you want to bring up some of the real problems you might want to look into the problem of reproducibility over time, or the issues with confirmation bias. Certainly another valid criticism is the cost structure for FDA approval, which has basically all the elements of barrier to entry collusion between a regulatory body and an established cartel.
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No really it is only "eurocentric' if one thinks that the scientific method is simply a cultural
Warren Stupidity
Apr 2014
#3
I won't nit pick. I was using the term generically in the way it is being used in DU's "woo-war".
Warren Stupidity
Apr 2014
#18
Yes indeed. Which is why the scientific methods used for evaluation are not static.
Warren Stupidity
Apr 2014
#20
which is why alternative medicine should embrace testing not run away from it.
Warren Stupidity
Apr 2014
#19
If there is an aversion to testing I think it's more about regulating and control than fear
cui bono
Apr 2014
#54
Indeed. It seems that if a claim is old and non-European, it's automatically valid and true.
arcane1
Apr 2014
#32
While Mourning Dove's quote is nice feel good stuff, its also BS I'm afraid...
Humanist_Activist
Apr 2014
#47
Woo: chiropractic, homeopathy, reiki, healing crystals, antivaccine nuttery.
Spider Jerusalem
Apr 2014
#23
Chiropractic claims that illness is caused by pockets of negative energy...
Spider Jerusalem
Apr 2014
#68
Just because there is some observable placebo effect doesn't mean it's not woo.
Spider Jerusalem
Apr 2014
#83
I was thinking mostly about medication for depression. Quite a bit of evidence there.
A Simple Game
Apr 2014
#41
Here's the deal. I have problems with the arrogance of those who present 'science' as a
Bluenorthwest
Apr 2014
#53
You bring up discredited science, that is all you are doing, people are flawed and biased...
Humanist_Activist
Apr 2014
#57
Yes. What do we call 'alternative medicine' that's been proven to work? Medicine.
Electric Monk
Apr 2014
#59
So how do you know which traditional remedies are bullshit and which arent?
Warren Stupidity
Apr 2014
#76
no shit. But the role for anecdotal experience is to identify what to test.
Warren Stupidity
Apr 2014
#90