The Pigasus Awards: The 5 Worst Promoters of Nonsense (psychics, pseudo-scientists, & faith healers)

[Godhumor]

From the James Randi Educational Foundation:
http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/jref-news/1260-pigasus-2011.html

Quick hits for those who just want to know who made it:

- Richard Hoover for nonsense about finding evidence of microscopic organisms in meteors

- CVS for promoting homeopathic drugs and starting one of their own

- Dr. Mehmet OZ for just promoting all kinds of whacked out shit on his show

- Peter Popoff for claiming he can deliver supernatural debt relief

- Andrew Wakefield for, well...you should already know why he's on the list (Hint, he's the focal point of the anti-vaccer movement)

Good group of winners this year, by which I mean, of course, they've all done their part to make it just a little harder to separate fact from bullshit.

[drm604]

1. As I understand it, Hoover didn't claim to find living organisms,

he claimed to find fossils. I'm not defending his claims, but we shouldn't misrepresent them.

[Godhumor]

2. Good catch. Changed it to "evidence of" in the OP (Consistent with the language of the award) n/t

[SpiralHawk]

35. Randi (R) and his phony 'Institute' are full of mis-representations & ugly bullshit

- Randi is just shoveling out more Republicon 'scientific materialism' propaganda bullcrap.

Not worth paying attention to his Republicon disinformation claptrap.

This OP should be in the special DU forum for USELESS RIGHT-WING BULLCRAP WHINING.

[drm604]

39. No.

Please don't misuse my post to support your assertions. I was addressing what was stated in the OP. Randi's organization did not claim that Hoover found living organisms. Godhumor misspoke in his OP (and has since corrected it).

[immoderate]

40. Can you cite an instance where Randi did anything to promote a Republican?

And I believe that science, if done right, also has no bias.

Are you saying that believing in disproven theories is somehow progressive?

--imm

[blogslut]

42. James Randi is a Democrat

http://www.nndb.com/people/588/000022522/

[Godhumor]

43. Think you have the wrong Randi

The guy is not only pretty left, but he supports good science and has made a point of going after those who prey on the hopes and prayers of the desperate.

[SidDithers]

45. James Randi is a Democrat...

and has donated to Democratic politicians.

http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?st=FL&last=randi&first=james

But your post was at least good for a laugh. Republican "scientific materialism" :rofl:

Sid

[LeftishBrit]

47. Republican 'scientific materialism'?

Republicans are a bunch of anti-science religious right-wingers! And they (and religious right-wingers more generally) tend to use the term 'scientific materialism' negatively, in attacks on critics of creationism in particular.

[Hamlette]

50. sounds like you got your toes stepped on SpiralHawk. Maybe you believe one of the 5 myths?

curious about why the knee jerk reaction to Randi. I'm think you think autism is caused by vaccines? You're in good company but, sadly, wrong.

[SpiralHawk]

53. Just pulling the olde Randi chain

Folks sure can get their knickers in a twist about the imagined efficacy of using rational measurements to try and size up transrational phenomena. Pretty damn irrational waste of time if you ask me.

[SidDithers]

55. "transrational phenomena"...

:rofl:

the hits just keep coming!

Sid

[Zhade]

57. AKA "make-believe disproven horseshit that comforts me".

I'll never understand the appeal of woo to people intelligent enough to realize they're lying to themselves.

[Warren DeMontague]

63. Yeah

that's a keeper.

[sudopod]

68. Randi has been called a lot of things.

I've seen him called old, mean, a wizard, and gay. (He's three of those)

But I've never seen him called a republican, lol.

[Merlot]

3. Homeopathy? Oh Horrors!

Homeopathy is just like medical MJ. It's low cost, un patentable by big pharma, and causes no harm. Therefore, it should be outlawed and ridiculed.

[Godhumor]

4. Well, considering it doesn't work and people throw money at it--yes.

Whole point of the awards is to "award" people for perpetuating or getting rich off crap that is known to be bogus. Homeopathic medicine has been proven time and time again to be completely ineffectual. CVS, a pharmacy, is profiting off something they know is bunk.

[Merlot]

5. Look who's doing the "proving" - Big pharma

Homeopathy has been proven many times to be effective as well. There are many people who use it as a treatment, it's very common treatment in many countries outside of the US.

And how many drugs that big pharma has thrown at us have turned out to be more harmful than helpful? With all the side effects and the secondary prescriptions to cover the side effects of the first drug, they keep people as profit centers for years with no goal of actually healing.

[Godhumor]

6. Homeopathy works in the same way as a placebo sugar pill works. Mental only

The big pharma scare does not change that fact. Repeated academic clinical study has shown over and over that homeopathic drugs and treatment don't do diddly-squat.

There is a reason that licensed medical schools do not offer a homeopathy concentration or that the AMA does not recognize homeopathy degrees.

[emilyg]

7. There is a reason ---- $$$$$$

[Godhumor]

8. So, big pharma, the AMA, major medical schools and the FDA are conspiring against homeopathy?

I think the much simpler explanation is that homeopathy is a pseudoscience of the worst kind--it looks like it should work so people refuse to accept that it doesn't.

[Scruffy1]

9. Chiropractors, homepathy, and snake oil.

All failing controlled tests since 1835.

[a la izquierda]

13. Says the guy with the Native American avatar.

:eyes:

[cleanhippie]

27. Are you saying that that those item DO pass controlled tests?

[a la izquierda]

36. Not at all, because frankly I have no idea.

However, native communities have survived thousands of years using homeopathic treatments (or traditional medicines). I find it ironic that the guy with the Native American avatar bashes homeopathy.

And I'll tell you that my neti pot does a hell of a lot more than benadryl for my sinuses, and I don't have to feel zombified or cracked out all day. But I guess Buddhists and Hindus don't know anything, either.

[cleanhippie]

37. Ok, I think I see where the confusion lies.

There is a very large and distinct difference between "traditional medicine" and homeopathy.

Homeopathy is the idea that a substance that is "bad" for you can be diluted down in water or sugar pills to the point that the "substance" is no longer even detectable, yet the water "memory" of the substance will bring forth a healing mechanism in your body. Hundreds of studies have been done on homeopathic remedies, only to find that it works no more than placebo does. IOW, its all in ones head, not in the "remedy".


Homeopathy is pseudo-science and a scam. Traditional medicine, OTOH, is a different matter all together.

[immoderate]

38. Native Americans do not use homeopathy. At least not traditionally.

I think you do not know what homeopathy is. For instance what native remedy calls for a 30C dilution?

--imm

[a la izquierda]

64. I think there was a misunderstanding on my part.

Apologies.

[LeftishBrit]

48. Homoeopathy is not a traditional medicine in the sense of being used by Native Americans

It was invented by Samuel Heinemann in 1796.

[a la izquierda]

65. Yeah, got it.

[SidDithers]

72. Native communities have been using something invented in 1796, for thousands of years?...nt

Sid

[uppityperson]

62. What does having a NA avatar have to do with snake oil medicine, homeopathy, chiros? Edited

I see you answered below. No, they didn't use homeopathy. Homeopathy and natural medicine are 2 different things. Holistic medicine is also different from homeopathy. Odd usage of an eyeroll smilie.

[a la izquierda]

67. Sorry for the snark...

as usual, there are folks on DU much more educated on this particular subject than I. Didn't mean to be a meanie. :)

[Scruffy1]

12. You'll never change these peoples minds.

Once they've swallowed the line they are like zombies. I do like to point out that half of the current pharmacopeia is made up of naturally occurring substances derived from plants when they go into
their their "natural" BS. Also they never cite one scientific study to back up their claims. It's always "I felt better" as if it was possible to prove that you wouldn't have felt better anyhow.
It's like the chiropractors hustle of causing cavitation so you think he actually did something.

[KittyWampus]

20. Zombies? You are projecting, of course.

[Warren DeMontague]

61. No, the reason is bec@u$e !t'$ Bu!!$#!t. nt

[KittyWampus]

19. LOL! And yet placebos DO WORK.

[Godhumor]

21. The placebo effect is a very strange thing--it does not make homeopathy any more valid

Diluting pills until there is no original substance left is the same as giving someone a sugar pill--the homeopathist just dresses it up in fancy language, charges a great deal more, and promises something the pill actually can't do.

[cleanhippie]

44. Thats like saying Prayer "works".

IOW, its all in your head.

[MattBaggins]

22. Homeopathy has never been proven to work

Mention "double blind study" to those quacks and they start running.

Your criticisms of big pharma do not provide a compelling argument for using snake oil instead.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

11. Throwing the baby out with bath water. There are many homeopathic remedies that work

Salt is a great healer for mouth and throat sores and is often recommended by dentists. Baking soda does wonders for acid indigestion. St. John's Wort has been recommended by psychiatrists for it's anti-depressive properties. I use lavender essential oil to help heal burns quickly and help with my sinus headaches. They do work at a very minimal cost to the people who use these.

[Godhumor]

16. That's not homeopathy--homeopathy is the "power of dilution" stuff

Completely agree with your points, but homeopathy is a specific "concentration" where you can cure people because substances remember being in contact with the effective solution. Dilution will often occur until the actual "working" substance is no longer even in the remedy (CVS' brand).

[MattBaggins]

24. Those are true but there is more to it

Salt is useful but you hit the nail on the head: "recommended by dentists"

Baking soda does indeed neutralize acid indigestion but does not remove the need to see a doctor. This is where the "homeopathy can't harm you" crowd end up killing people. If you have a serious upper GI problem sodium bicarbonate isn't going to help you.

St. John's Wort may be recommended by quacks but it doesn't do squat.

Lavender oil may work or not. That is why Science has this very simple testing method of a double blind study.

[Godhumor]

25. Ddebating natural cures is all well and fine, but I think there is a real misunderstanding of

The term homeopathy. My guess is that close to every person in this thread taking issue with the original list believes homeopathy refers to natural cures and not the law of similar, dilution and succession that the actual practice of homeopathy is based on. I wish this misunderstanding had occurred to me while I could still edit the OP. Alas, I will just have to hope people read through the thread and see the real definition before posting.

[Zebedeo]

46. It's because the word "homeopathy"

begins with the letters "home" and many people mistakenly believe that it refers to "home remedies." As you point out, it doesn't.

[LeftishBrit]

49. Actually there is evidence that St Johns Wort may be helpful to people with mild/moderate depression

People with severe depression need other remedies.

At any rate, herbal medicines and other 'natural' treatments are not the same as homeopathy. Herbal medicines contain active substances - which means that they can do good and can also do harm. Homeopathic medicines are essentially just water; which means they cannot do anything active.

[Codeine]

28. Those aren't homeopathy.

Homeopathy is the water-memory/dilution bullshit. Natural medicines, OTOH, are often effective.

[SidDithers]

29. Its' funny that some of the most strident defenders of homeopathy...

don't really know what it is and what it isn't.

Sid

[Godhumor]

41. It is the only reason I can think of that this has been rec'd back to 0

Really wish I could edit the OP to define homeopathy.

[ooglymoogly]

54. Take a look at your rec /unrec figures

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=greatest_threads&topten=1

59% unrec's


and of course that is the reason. The confusion over this term is rampant. The CVS reference did not help to clarify this misunderstanding.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=greatest_threads&topten=1

[ooglymoogly]

52. Therein lies the problem

Folks get Homeopathy confused with herb and vitamin therapies which some are proven to work. Himalayan salt for instance has many minerals that over processed table salt does not and is said to have miraculous results for many ailments, but that has nothing to do with homeopathy.

[backscatter712]

10. "Let's repeatedly dilute until there's nothing left! POWERFUL STUFF!"

[SidDithers]

30. Nice poster...

:hi:

Sid

[MattBaggins]

23. No harm?

You really want to make that claim?

[cleanhippie]

26. You are 100% wrong about your assertion.

Homeopathy is just like medical MJ

Medical MJ has actual molecules of THC and other substances. Homeopathic "remedies" have no detectable amount of anything but water. Not the same thing at all.

[Merlot]

51. Homeopathy IS just like Medical MJ

Both are un patentable, inexpensive, and subject to ridicule by traditional medicine. There is no big money to be made from these.

I did not imply that Medical MJ and Homeopathy work in the same way. Perhaps you should re-read my original post.

[Warren DeMontague]

59. By that logic, Medical Marijuana and Homeopathy are just like leprechauns and fairy dust, too.

Sorry, some things are real, and some things are bullshit. The defining characteristic of the things that are NOT bullshit is NOT merely that they are "ridiculed and inexpensive". Some things are ridiculed for good reason.

And I suspect most traditional medicine doctors- who aren't on the DEA payroll- acknowledge that pot is a relatively benign substance with many beneficial pharmacological effects.

[LeftishBrit]

73. The point is that medical marijuana contains active substances; homeopathy doesn't.

Medical marijuana is effective for a number of problems; homeopathy isn't.

And in fact people can and do get big money by selling both marijuana (medical or not) and homeopathic 'remedies'. There's a difference here, though. Dealers can sell marijuana at exorbitant rates on the black market because it's illegal; the costs are limited by the fact that it's in many situations possible to grow your own; nonetheless, the 'drug wars' ensure excessive profits for the dealers. Homeopathy is not illegal, but it does make a profit for those who like to convince others that they are selling 'cure-alls'.

[SidDithers]

32. Homeopathic A&E...

needs to be posted every time homeopathy comes up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMGIbOGu8q0

Right, get me a bit of Blue Ford Mondeo, put it in water, shake it, dilute it, shake it again, dilute it again, do some more shaking, dilute it some more, then put three drops on his tongue. If that doesn't cure him, I don't know what will.

:rofl:

Sid

[originalpckelly]

33. Precisely.

Most of these pro-homeopathic folks have no idea what it is.

[Warren DeMontague]

58. No, it's nothing like marijuana. Would you pay $60 for an 1/8th of distilled water and expect it

to get you high?

Because that's what you're doing with homeopathic bullshit.

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. About CVS

I've been taking their Vitamin D supplement for about 6 months and just went in to have my D level checked by my doctor. It was too low. My doctor said CVS is one of several retailers who are marketing their own off brand of vitamins and they are not vitamins. She said she just read a new study on over the counter vitamins and quite a few of them are useless. She gave me a list of local pharmacies to go to for good vitamin D. No more off labels for me.

[FLPanhandle]

15. The problem when someone believes in one of these areas of nonsense

Then they get emotional and it's all a "conspiracy" to keep the truth from being revealed.

Too bad this Award & group of winners won't get more publicity, maybe stop a few folks from falling for their shit.

[Godhumor]

17. If there is some confusion, homeopathy is NOT natural cures, it is belief in the power of dilution

And it is quackery of the worst kind (i.e. don't get angry if you think this is calling, say, rubbing aloe plants on your skin to help sunburn--it is not.).

Read more about it starting at Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy

[SidDithers]

18. K&R...

great stuff. Thanks for posting.

Sid

[BeFree]

31. TEPCO, Top of the list

[grahamhgreen]

34. Where are the nuclear advocates, and the Iraq war supporters (WMD et al)?

[Prometheus Bound]

66. That was my first reaction too.

None of the others on the list compare to the damage done by your two examples.

[HughBeaumont]

56. Did they give a posthumous award to Milton Friedman?

[Gabi Hayes]

69. and an afterlife(time) achievement for this guy and his predecessors, perhaps:

[Warren DeMontague]

60. Homeopathy deserves a lifetime achievement award. nt

[SteveG]

70. Why didn't you include Republican Governor's, Congress Critters

and Teabaggers?

[Godhumor]

71. Not my list and not the point of the list, either

Though I agree all 3 are reprehensible.