Bad Medicine: The Next Book - Page 2

GrapesOfWrath · #31 (**permalink**) 02-June-2002, 05:38 PM

Quote:

On 2002-06-02 12:19, Kaptain K wrote:
OK, I stand corrected, but it still does not change the essence of what I said.

Except the part where you said that I was wrong. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Quote:

The "sun-sign" as figured by astrologers is at least one whole sign of the zodiac away from the Sun's actual position in the sky (and getting farther).

They decided to keep the "seasonal" signs constant with respect to the calendar much as we decided to keep the seasons constant with respect to the calendar--but not the stars. The "dog days" of summer in the northern hemisphere come when the Sun is near the dog star Sirius--but that will not be true 13000 years from now, when it will be northern winter when the Sun is near Sirius.

[Added link]

[ This Message was edited by: GrapesOfWrath on 2002-06-02 12:45 ]

Roy Batty · #32 (**permalink**) 02-June-2002, 06:01 PM

Ok, I gladly profess my ignorance of astrology at this point [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

GrapesOfWrath · #33 (**permalink**) 02-June-2002, 08:13 PM

Still, it has nothing to do with astrology. It's merely astronomy, and our current system of timekeeping.

Kaptain K · #34 (**permalink**) 02-June-2002, 08:17 PM

Quote:

They decided to keep the "seasonal" signs constant with respect to the calendar much as we decided to keep the seasons constant with respect to the calendar--but not the stars.

Again, true...but! If (as the astrologers say):
1)My life is affected by where the Sun was when I was born.
2) Their charts say the Sun was in Gemini at the time.
but,
3) the Sun was actually in Cancer.

Doesn't that knock their whole (expletive) idea in the creek???

GrapesOfWrath · #35 (**permalink**) 02-June-2002, 08:28 PM

Quote:

On 2002-06-02 15:17, Kaptain K wrote:
Again, true...but! If (as the astrologers say):

That's a big but

Quote:

1)My life is affected by where the Sun was when I was born.
2) Their charts say the Sun was in Gemini at the time.

They don't

Quote:

but,
3) the Sun was actually in Cancer.

Doesn't that knock their whole (expletive) idea in the creek???

It would, but you're wrong about number two, of course.

I'm not here to defend astrology. I do want to say that I have known some astologers who were fine amateur astronomers, though.

ZaphodBeeblebrox · #36 (**permalink**) 12-June-2002, 12:15 PM

Quote:

On 2002-06-01 18:17, Chuck wrote:
What will astrologers do when people are born on the moon or Mars? Will it matter which constellation earth is in? They'll need all new charts.

Have you ever read Mostly Harmless, by the Late, amd also very Lamented, Douglas Adams?

In that Book, one of the Characters writes a Computer Program for a Group of Aliens, who have, Quite Literally, Lost their Minds, and who therefore, Think that Astrology, is Interesting, and . . . [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]

Wait, I just got the Joke [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img]

Oh Doug, why did you have to leave us, so soon [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif[/img]

Especially without finishing your Last Book [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img]

Oh, why can't John Edward ever Contact Anyone Interesting [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif[/img]

Anyway, for those still with me [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] , what this Program does, is that it allows The Aliens, to make Astrological Calculations, from any point in The Solar System.

I won't give away the Plot-Point, that follows, but I will say, that The Earth was Rising into Capricorn, and as Everybody Knows, that's not a very Good Thing.

ZaphodBeeblebrox · #37 (**permalink**) 12-June-2002, 12:29 PM

Quote:

On 2002-06-02 12:38, GrapesOfWrath wrote:
They decided to keep the "seasonal" signs constant with respect to the calendar much as we decided to keep the seasons constant with respect to the calendar--but not the stars.

So, Astrology is Complete Bovine Ecxrement, but could The Seasonal Changes, in the First Year of Life, possibly have any Effect upon us, because I am a Classic Gemini, and would like to have some Excuse, for when People Catch me Reading the TV, while Watching a Book?

Or for why I am so darn Lesdyxic [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_redface.gif[/img]

_________________
If you Ignore YOUR Rights, they Will go away.

[ This Message was edited by: ZaphodBeeblebrox on 2002-06-12 07:30 ]

[ This Message was edited by: ZaphodBeeblebrox on 2002-06-12 07:31 ]

GrapesOfWrath · #38 (**permalink**) 12-June-2002, 10:48 PM

Quote:

On 2002-06-12 07:29, ZaphodBeeblebrox wrote:
So, Astrology is Complete Bovine Ecxrement, but could The Seasonal Changes, in the First Year of Life, possibly have any Effect upon us, because I am a Classic Gemini, and would like to have some Excuse, for when People Catch me Reading the TV, while Watching a Book?

Check out this, Astrology, Biorhythms and Science.

ToSeek · #39 (**permalink**) 30-April-2003, 02:05 AM

The author of Bad Medicine will be giving a lecture in the DC area this weekend:

Quote:

Shadow of a Doubt Electronic Edition
National Capital Area Skeptics
May, 2003

May Public Lecture
Saturday, May 3, 2pm-4pm
Bad Medicine: Health Myths and Quack Alternative Medicine
Christopher Wanjek, Science Journalist

Humans only use ten percent of their brains. Eating junk food
makes your face break out. Magnets and aromatherapy cure
diseases. Milk does a body good. Natural means safe.

These are only a few of the myths and misconceptions that
Christopher Wanjek will explore at the NCAS May event.
In articles, TV appearances, and his recent book Bad Medicine,
Wanjek exposes alternative medicine for the sham that it often
is, specifically: magnet therapy, homeopathy, aromatherapy,
liver detoxification, mind-body healing, touch therapy, distance
healing, and the "latest & greatest" in fashionable new trends,
"oxygen-fortified" soft drinks.

Christopher Wanjek is a graduate of Temple University and Harvard
School of Public Health. He writes on a variety of science topics
for The Washington Post and NASA. He is a fixture on Discovery
Channel Canada, has been featured on the BBC World Service and
radio programs in six countries, as well as in The Times of
London, The Guardian, Science News, and New Scientist. He is also
a contributing writer for The Tonight Show and Saturday Night
Live; humor blends with science in his writings and TV appearances.

FREE admission - Everyone welcome - members and non-members

For more information call the NCAS 24-hour skeptic line recording at (301)
587-3827

Location:
B-CC Services Center
4805 Edgemoor Lane
Bethesda MD

The B-CC Center is located in downtown Bethesda, across the street from the
rear of the Bethesda Metro station. It is on the plaza level of the
Metropolitan complex, above a Montgomery County parking garage. Free parking
in the garage on weekends.

Directions to the Center are at:
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/co...directions.asp

gethen · #40 (**permalink**) 06-May-2003, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad Editor

If I may...
Having read both Bad Astronomy and Bad Medicine, I can say that if BA's book delivers a classic cream pie to the hydra-headed monster that is Bad Astronomy, Wanjek's tends more toward the tossing of rotten vegetables --- a bit more pungent, perhaps, and certainly no less forgiving of those who would attempt to foster Bad Science.
(Removing salesperson's hat, redonning propeller beanie.)

I'm reading Bad Medicine right now, and I agree with you. It's a little more uh, shall we say, acidic, than Bad Astronomy. But if you see bad medicine in practice, you might feel that its practitioners are more dangerous than the practitioners of bad astronomy. So you could be forgiven for being less generous.

Alex W. · #41 (**permalink**) 31-May-2003, 06:56 PM

I got the Bad Medicine book in a clearance sale today (never good for an author to hear, but I'm a student) for £4. I'm impressed so far- learning a bit of medical history.

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