Flat Earth "Theory"

Someone recently asked me to respond to a video series detailing "proof" that the Earth is in fact not a sphere, but a flat plane. The narrator's argument is that we inhabit a cosmic snow globe roughly equivalent to what's described in Judeo-Christian scripture and other religious texts. It was over an hour and a half of video, so it took me a while get through all 11 parts, but I eventually did, and even managed to take some notes. Unfortunately, parsing the fallacies and poetry into something I can assemble a response to is taking much longer. (Yes, poetry. The Tower of Babel is presented as evidence.) So, stay tuned for that, there will be another entry on this subject at a later date. For now, simply enjoy and consider the following videos of our round world spinning through space.

Herbal Remedies to Modern Medicine

I’ve seen quite a few headlines lately about the magical wonder-cure that is marijuana. While I think it really is wonderful that its medicinal qualities are being seriously studied, I wanted to comment on those misleading headlines, since they appear to be creating the illusion of scientifically-based support for the idea that ‘pot’ is good for you and should be perfectly legal.

‘GMO free’ myth busting: Labeling movement leading farmers to use more toxic chemicals | Genetic Literacy Project

‘GMO free’ myth busting: Labeling movement leading farmers to use more toxic chemicals | Genetic Literacy Project:

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GMOs, Go, Go, Go!

It seems the pseudo-scientific issue that bears the most weight with the people in my life is anti-GMO activism, so I once again find myself evaluating an article on that topic. This time around, Roberta L. Millstein attempts to take a middle road, but falls into a standard anti-science trap. “Just label it,” says the pseudo-scientist, “let the people decide.” Sure, label the GMOs. Teach the creationists’ “controversy”. Let the parents decide whether to vaccinate their kids. Oops, was my opinion leaking through here? I’ll get back to that in a bit.

She takes issue with the argument that the anti-GMO movement, and even the suggestion to label GMOs, is anti-science. She has conveniently listed her reasons in a numbered list, so let me take a specific look at these arguments.

Where's my frying pan?

I don't know much about Pierre Trudeau's history in Canadian politics, but I'll admit I'm not a fan of his son. Ignoring for the moment his actual political stance though, the more I see of him, the harder it is to not see a certain Disney cad...

Am I the only one?

PS: Sorry about the blade, I don't have a lot of experience with watermarks. Poor Flynn!

Scientists: Earth Endangered by New Strain of Fact-Resistant Humans - The New Yorker

Just an excellent little bit of Satire from The New Yorker that I thought anyone who reads my blog would enjoy.

Scientists: Earth Endangered by New Strain of Fact-Resistant Humans - The New Yorker:

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Evidence or Wishful Thinking? The 'Science' of Reincarnation

Scientific Proof Of Reincarnation. Yes, The Soul Exists.

This entry is going to step away from the more “activist” areas of pseudoscience, and into a more supernatural one. While the concept of reincarnation may or may not in itself be anti-scientific, I would argue that the specific article I am critiquing demonstrates a real disdain for the scientific method. It attempts to present biased non-evidence as scientific proof, and is therefore counter to the scientific method.

I myself have not seen any evidence to rule out the possibility of the soul, or most other religious superstitions for that matter, but I’m arguing here that they do not constitute ‘Scentific Proof’.

Organic Cherry Picking

Bad Chart Thursday: Organic Cherry Picking

Strong-Arm Tactics, or Brand Confidence?

Here's another article shared by the same person who's been sending me the GMO links:

How Seed and Pesticide Companies Push Farmers to Use Bee-Killing Insecticides

There's a lot of reading to do here, and I haven't familiarized myself yet with the subject in general or the specific research, (some of which appears to be behind a paywall), but there's one big, obvious issue right in the article itself that I wanted to comment on. The headline makes a bold accusation of coercion, as though the sellers are strong-arming innocent farmers into using dangerous substances. When you read the details the same article provides however, the actual practice becomes much less sinister:

The companies also include incentives to buy coated seed in the form of insurance: If their crop fails , the farmer will get a 100 percent rebate. Without the coatings, the rebate is only 50 to 75 percent.

Now, I'm not an expert, but I did spend a decade working in shopping malls and customer service centres. In retail, this is what we call a "warranty". You put a warranty on products that you're confident are unlikely to fail. It's just good business; you're making a bet that the product is reliable. The elaborate long-term warranties are for brands like Sony and LG, not the Chinese knock-offs. That would be a bad bet. It's all about confidence in your product.

Like I said, I won't criticize the science until I've read up on it some more, but I will criticize the ethics of the writer (or their editor/publisher). Once again, an article is written to provoke an emotional reaction, at the expense of the "evil corporations" who are doing nothing more than performing the role our society needs them to perform, in a way that allows them to continue doing so: profitably.

Why buy the Scientists, when you can just buy the Government?

The G.O.P.’s War on Science Gets Worse - The New Yorker.

Look at those faces. McConnell appears to be on the verge of tears, while Boehner shoots him a warning glance. Just get through this and we'll be free men. I don't really believe they're being coerced, but it wouldn't surprise me.

Idaho Father Debates Anti-Science Activist

Wow, the posts are coming fast and furious this week, huh? Well, I’ve had trouble in the past coming up with topics, but meanwhile a friend keeps sending me links to science articles to explain or debunk, and my responses keep getting longer. In fact, this will be the third entry here that started there. So, what the hell? I’m going to keep posting them, and I invite you all to take part by sending me new articles! You can do that through the comments section, my Twitter account, or my Facebook Page.

What’s the harm?

Makes me sick to see this sort of thing. There are a lot of so-called "alternative" medicine practices that are relatively harmless, as long as modern, science-based medicine is also used, but they're still wearing away at everyone's understanding of science. Then to take it as far as this Hongchi Xiao and his followers do is criminal. At the very least, this person and the kids' parents, should (in my opinion) be tried for manslaughter, but the so-called "healer" himself should be charged with crimes against humanity. After all, he is systematically teaching his techniques to the masses.

What’s the harm? An Australian child dies while undergoing a particularly cruel form of quackery – Respectful Insolence:

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Snake-Oil and Charismatic Fear-Mongers

I'd like to talk a little about an example of pseudo-science that has had dramatic, visible effects on the world stage.

They do love their drama.