Aug 23 2009

Science versus pseudoscience

Published by under Health Fraud,Homeopathy,Humor,Science and Medicine,Science and the Media
Comments: 10

I know this one’s been floating around the blogosphere for a while, but it finally made its way to me at a time when I needed something lighthearted and amusing (warning: some profanity and at least one use of the “F” word):

Best quotes:

“Well, science doesn’t know everything.” Well, science knows it doesn’t know anything, otherwise it would stop … But just because science doesn’t know everything doesn’t mean you can fill in the gaps with whatever fairytale most appeals to you.”

…”nutritionist” isn’t a protected term. Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. “Dietitician” is the legally protected term. “Dietician” is like dentist, and “nutritionist” is like tootheologist.”

“I’m sorry if you’re into homeopathy. It’s water. How often does it need to be said? It’s just water. You’re healing yourself. Why don’t you give yourself the credit?

I just wish more comics did routines like this. Sometimes humor can get the message through where analysis can’t.

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10 responses so far

10 Responses to “Science versus pseudoscience”

  1. # iamthebrilloon 23 Aug 2009 at 12:05 pm

    “Oh, herbal medicine’s been around for thousands of years…” Indeed it has. And then we tested it all. And the stuff that worked became “medicine”

    Awesome… I’m stealing that.

  2. # anselmon 23 Aug 2009 at 5:59 pm

    Pardon my ignorance, but who is the guy in the video?

  3. # TheLaughingSkepticon 23 Aug 2009 at 6:19 pm

    Hey David,

    You say you wished more comics did routines like this, but I’d like to point out that there is much more of this good stuff out there.

    To pool all of it together, I’ve just started up a blog, on “skepticism meets comedy”.

    I felt there was a need for a resource like this – I read a post from Steve a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve heard other skeptics comment on the value of comedy to spreading skepticism.

    Anyway, I’d really love to know what you think about the site. As I said, I’ve just started it so any comments would be greatly appreciated.

    The address is http://www.thelaughingskeptic.com

    Thanks,

    Steve

  4. # TBRechon 23 Aug 2009 at 10:42 pm

    I have stumbled upon this site because of Quackcast. This routine was awesome. Visited the laughing skeptic site, too. I think I will have to limit my time online since finding these sites. If I laugh too loud, my dog barks at me. Now, I can’t hear myself think! ;-D

  5. # jan.eerdekenson 24 Aug 2009 at 7:05 am

    @anselm: it’s an Irish comedian named Dara Ó Briain: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dara_%C3%93_Briain

  6. # caoimhon 24 Aug 2009 at 7:57 am

    The comedian is Dara O Briain.

    Irish guy, former physics student.

  7. # TheLaughingSkepticon 24 Aug 2009 at 3:06 pm

    I didn’t realise he studied physics! Wondered what brought him to such a vocal pro-science viewpoint.

    Glad you liked my site. I have one other video with Dara, this time talking about creationists: http://thelaughingskeptic.com/2009/08/19/dara-obriain-on-creationism/

  8. # Tsukenon 24 Aug 2009 at 11:44 pm

    So. Much. Win. :-D

    Thank you sooooo very much for posting that. I went onto youtube and lmao over a few more Dara vids. Great stuff.

  9. # The Blind Watchmakeron 25 Aug 2009 at 8:05 pm

    Thanks Dave and thanks LaughingSkeptic. I bookmarked your site.

    Got to put a plug in for the SGU folks. It’s not medical, but skeptically topical.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RT08iSM6NOY

  10. # Homeopathy & Nutritionists « Buttle’s Worldon 27 Aug 2009 at 12:56 am

    [...] Filed under: Posts — buttle @ 20:55 I found this Dara O’Briain video via Science Based Medicine. This is a wonderful rant. The language, for those who care, is a bit [...]