EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE

Theo and I recently visited a mind, body and spirit fest (with some other members of our family who wish to remain anonymous). Theo is putting together a podcast on the event, but in the meantime I offer this cartoon as my 'take' on the event. This spruiker was not very successful in selling his product. His hideous appearance and manifest diseases prevented even airheads from being conned. So at one level, evidence-based medicine triumphed (Physician, heal thyself).

Note that this is not REALLY a cartoon, because this is an EXACT likeness of the crystal vendor.

Podcast - Hunting Humbug 101: Tutorial 29 - Slippery Slope

If we don’t take a stand against people using the Slippery Slope - the world will implode under the weight of inanity. Also, check out my interview on The Skeptic Zone, and here’s my article about inductive reasoning.

Listen Now:

Powered by Podbean.com

Or Download the MP3

LEUNIG - EMPATHY PERSONIFIED

Here

Leunig says it is up to individuals to absorb and handle their present suffering.

"One's got to live creatively - creativity means you lose what you expect to have, but you find something better and then you grow," he said.

"If that's what's happening, I say let it happen and embrace it."

Skeptic Zone Interview

I've just had the pleasure of being interviewed by Richard Saunders of the Skeptic Zone podcast (and skeptical judge on "The One" - Australia's Top Cold Reader Psychic TV show). It's show 36 - check it out.

BARRY IN ACTION (i.e. INACTION)

Chairman Barry takes a moment to reflect on the plight of murdered and jailed Iranian protestors.

Can the most powerful and protected man in history stand by and let innocents be killed by a murderous regime?

Yes we can.

Metronome synchronisation

This is pretty cool

SUPREME LEADER - NOT

No, not THAT Supreme Leader, I could get in strife with fanatics if I did a distortature of that one. This is just a random bloke, caught without a hanky. Perhaps in the early stages of swine flu (how apt). Obviously a butcher by profession. Get well soon, moron.

BEYOND PARODY

No additional comment necessary.

Mobile view

Using the magic of google, I've created a link to a "mobile" version of this site (it's actually the google reader view). The full site renders okay on a decent smartphone, but on my LG viewty, for exmple, is takes too long. The google reader version is super fast though. Hit the link on the top of the page and bookmark it on your phone for easy access when you're out and about!

Podcast - Hunting Humbug 101: Tutorial 28 - Argument by Slogan

The Argument by Slogan, or “sloganeering”, or “staying on message”, dominates contemporary political discourse. Various clips used, including some of the audio from the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) show Q&A - Episode “Beyond Spin”.

Listen Now:

Powered by Podbean.com

Or Download:

Simon Singh and libel

I'd love to know if these Chiropractors are acting in Bad Faith or not, by bringing this bogus libel case to court. Unfortunately it's not possible to read minds...

Hit the "Sense About Science" link up the top left to show your support for Simon Singh - go teh interwebs!

WAYNE SWAN ENGAGES IN PERSONAL ABUSE

I got 18,500 hits on Google when I searched on "Wayne Swan" (Australia's current treasurer) and "abusive". This is clear evidence that Swan engages in personal abuse (both kinds) to an extraordinary degree. I have nothing against the man personally but I have an intense hatred of his baseless and shallow ad hominem attacks in parliament (Cowards' Castle).

Wanker.

OBAMA'S BURDEN - FROM THE ONION

It is mere coincidence but this recent item from THE ONION relates to and reinforces well to my previous post below on Burden of Solution. Warning: while this is a serious website I suspect The Onion is inclined to satire.


WASHINGTON—In a slight shift from his campaign trail promise, President Obama announced Monday that his administration's message of "Change" has been modified to the somewhat more restrained slogan "Relatively Minor Readjustments in Certain Favorable Policy Areas." "Today, Americans face a great many challenges, and I hear your desperate calls for barely measurable and largely symbolic improvements in the status quo," said Obama, who vowed never to waver in his fight for every last infinitesimal nudge forward on the controversial issues of torture and the military ban on homosexuals. "Remember: Yes we can, if by that you mean tiptoeing around potentially unpopular decisions that could alienate a large segment of the populace." Washington insiders said that, while the new mottos are certainly in keeping with Obama's pledge of government transparency, they are significantly less catchy