Posts by Stephen Judd
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By measure its extent, I mean that you can observe things like changes in blood pressure. In other words placebo effects are not all in your head -- the cause might be in your head, but actual changes take place in your body that another observer can verify.
Actually, one interpretation of the article Russell has quoted is that conventional treatment is no better than osteopathy for back pain. Perhaps it was working by means of placebo too :D . Or perhaps it didn't work at all. I see that the study didn't have a group who received no treatment, so we don't know to what extent everyone would have got better on their own.
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I don't think I've simply imagined relief
It's very important to note that placebos are not the same as you merely imagining relief. The placebo effect is real and can be measured.
Neither is there any shame or weak-mindedness in experiencing it. People get all upset when you say something worked by placebo effect, as though it's some kind of dishonour to have your body get the message and do the business.
There's also evidence that placebo effects are strengthened by things like how much the treatment cost, how much it hurt, how long it took, the perceived experience and prestige of the treatment provider and so on.
So I'm afraid while I truly believe you got better, and I am prepared to believe that the osteopath visit was the proximate cause, I am not accepting that as evidence of the efficacy of osteopathy.
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B Jones, that is very insightful. I never thought about it like that before, but I think you're right. I also think you and Matthew Dentith could have a productive collaboration along those lines...
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Another thing I'd like to know is -- if journos are so obviously gullible, and keen to tell emotional stories , bugger the facts -- what other fields do they do this in? What reason do we have to believe any of their reports in any field? This particular story is one where a well-informed punter can spot the problems, but there are lots of stories where we have to rely on reporters. There's a spillover effect, for me anyway. It's great to have medical authorities on the show, but the issue is wider than bullshit in medical/science reporting, it's journalism in general.
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Craig, I think the idea of a special dance for young people to find romance is very sweet and you are wrong to mock. I had to do things the old-fashioned way via the internet. I am sure these love balls are a marvellous tool for satisfying the longing feelings experienced by the lonely. Haven't we all felt that emptiness inside? I know I have.
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Cripes, you'd think that it would be a red flag that an American doctor's only clinic is in Mexico. Apologies to the dedicated and professional medical practitioners of Mexico, but isn't it a common phenomenon that dodgy quacks who've been shut down in the US set up in Mexico beyond the reach of regulation?
Where is the famous skepticism on which journos pride themselves so much?
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they same was said of Peter Cook
They laughed at Einstein!
Yes, and they also laughed at Bozo the clown.
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Whether intentionally or not, yes.
Is there such a thing as unintentional satire? I don't think so. They were just being a bunch of cocks, and revelling in it.
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philipmatthews: Exactly. Kol hakavod.
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Rich: how do you reckon Lincoln students would have managed a "settlers vs Maori" costume theme?