Thanks to Stephen Law at the Centre of Inquiry for posting this video of myself and Simon Singh, just after our talks at Conway Hall.
The day started with a mass overdose of homeopathic pills (see report in the Telegraph; it’s also on the front page of the BBC web site) , followed by talks on the evidence for alternative medicines and his legal battles (from Simon), the reasons why homeopathy might survive and other forms of quackery die (from me) and the problems diet quacks pose for people’s understanding of good eating and the inadequacy of the law (from from Professor John Garrow, Founder of Healthwatch).
For the record, despite my continuous consumption of Lachesis, Belladonna and Sulphur for about 24 hours, I am in good health and about to have my dinner. My arms work work and all appears well.
"David Colquhoun, professor of pharmacology at University College London, has long been concerned about the rising popularity of homeopathy. When he passes a chemist, he likes to carry out an experiment, asking the pharmacist what natural remedy they would recommend for his sickly grandchild, who has suffered from "terrible diarrhoea for days". Just one in 10 chemists advises him to send the child to a doctor immediately, or choose a conventional rehydration treatment – the course of action recommended by the medical profession."
This came from one of the stories about the placebocide and the thought occurred to me: isn't this just the reaction that many people have to others' complaints – i.e., 1) doubt that it's not just "all in their head", or not true in some way or "their own fault"? and therefore 2)inclination to offer less than genuine sympathy/help? A way of distancing oneself from possible complications. Of course, professional pharmacists should not take this stance – and even less in such a concrete case – but it may be so automatic it passes without their own notice. The offer of homeopathic remedies might actually be a non-offensive way of saying "Not my problem" or "I don't believe you", without explicitly rejecting the proffered story or opening oneself to the accusation of failing to provide help.
Since low dilutions are weak (6C), then why isn't there an illegal trade in 30C dilutions since they can be made from the 6C solutions, further diluted and sold under the counter or in back alleys where there must be a large illicit trade in homeopathic meds.
Okay, I'm going to say it: Simon has a [expletive deleted] terrible hairdo. He'd be better to shave the whole damn thing off!
Go bald….and grow a beard! 😉
Billy Joe that doesn't sound very Jedward at all. I'm trying to think of an alternative star with a beard and shaved head but they are as few as the hairs between their ears.