Larc,
I like your style. The universe is awesome - the more we learn about it and nature the more intriguing it is. Unfortunately some (probably most) people see all these discoveries of science and come to the conclusion that the universe is so strange that ANYTHING is possible. Thus the "scientific" arguments proposing quantum mechanics that are used to explain the unexplainable when unscrupulous ones sell their snake oil. Sadly, without a solid understanding of logic and science, it is difficult to determine fact from fiction.
Yesterday I was listening to a paid advertisement on AM radio espousing the wonders of magnetic mattress pads. The show sounded like a regular radio interview, but at the very end, it was announced that it was a paid advertisement. The announcer sounded so convincing, referring to one study after another. It seems that magnetic mattresses can cure almost anything. Several people called the show asking if the mattress would help their ailment. “Absolutely” was the answer to every single call – no matter what the ailment. This is sad that people can be so dishonest – and the media is much to blame for the public’s credulity. No one thought it was necessary to disclose the announcer’s financial ties to the mattress company, which, of course, doesn’t aide in keeping him honest. He had a financial interest in selling as many of these miracle pads as possible. Arthritis, diabetes, cataracts – no problem. This pad supposedly helped all of these – without any nasty side affects. Yeah, right.
I couldn’t believe that such blatant dishonesty was allowed on the radio. At the end of the advertisement, a standard disclaimer was announced: “The preceding was a paid advertisement and does not reflect the views of so and so radio station.” There is a lot of money being made here off of these pseudo scientific claims and I think that the media should be a lot more responsible. The are playing to the public’s lack of education in these areas and are making a killing selling these useless (except for the documented placebo effect) products.
Also – in reference to the healing touch, a nine year old girl did a double blind experiment for her science fair which debunked any type of energy traveling from one person to another. The experiment was ingenious – it’s amazing that a nine year old girl did this. Her findings were written up in a peer reviewed science journal. I believe she is the youngest scientist to ever do this. Her experiment and conclusions are described in Robert Park’s “Voodoo Science”. It was very interesting.
Again – it’s been mentioned before, but James Randi has a one million-dollar reward outstanding for anyone who can demonstrate any type of paranormal or supernatural phenomena without cheating. This reward has been around for a long time and various people tried to meet the challenge. Unfortunately everyone has been unsuccessful so far. If anyone here would like to demonstrate their supernatural abilities, they could quickly become a millionaire.
rem
