What's the harm?

Here is a site keeping track of those harmed by pseudoscience and dangerous beliefs. Categories include Scientology, exorcisms, homeopathy, vaccine denial, acupuncture, UFOs and many others. I recommend taking a look.

Thanks to the Bad Astronomer for sharing.

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The Onion on Acupuncture

The Onion, as usual, makes us laugh while getting it right. Indeed, there isn't a difference between "real" and "fake" acupuncture. They're referring to this study (reported here by Steve Novella).

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Some notes from Oct. 11, 2007 @ Cicero's

The inaugural meeting of the St. Louis Skeptical Society was by all accounts a success. We look forward to seeing more inquiring minds at November's meeting. Here are some notes from the first meeting:

• October 11, 2007 (7:30 pm-10:00 pm)
  
• Location: Cicero's
• Members in attendance: 5 (BB, JF, DM, ST, GG)
• Purpose of the society (tenuous)
  
• Promote Science
  
• Discuss the application of scientific skepticism and critical thinking to all aspects of life
• Explore our own convictions and "sacred cows"
• Give presentations on topics related to science and critical thinking, or the lack thereof
  
• Provide a resource for the community as a place to seek help on topics where skepticism may be of service (looking at product claims, homeopathic remedies, alternative medicine, etc. )
  
• Discussion of recent articles on alternative medicine
• Loose definition of alternative medicine: Any treatment that claims to be beneficial but is not evidence based medicine
  
• Acupuncture to treat lower back pain and many other ailments
  
• What is Body Energy/Chi?
• What are proper experiments to test acupuncture?
• How much of an effect does the placebo effect have?
• There are physiological effects to acupuncture but there seems to be little evidence that acupuncture helps correct the flow of Chi/Body Energy in the way claimed by practitioners.
  
• Calcium, Magnesium and Vitamin B6 for PMS (control mood changes, bloating, and flow)
  
• How well can emotions be quantified as chemical effects?
• Discussed credibility of sources which led to a mention of the argument from authority logical fallacy
• St. John's Wort to treat depression
• Studies lasted less than 6 weeks but most proponents claim St. John's wort takes 6-8 weeks to start working
• Once something is proven to work, it no longer becomes alternative medicine as it is then evidence based. Therefore we should be weary of products/methods which have been "alternative" for a long time
• Guided imagery to help ease pain and anxiety
• Helps as much as general relaxation
• Are therapists practitioners of alternative medicine?
• Example brought of up of the 11 year old Emily Rosa who debunked therapeutic touch as a method of healing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Rosa
• Glucosamine to lessen joint pain
• "It's safe and it looks like is it's effective."
• Short discussion on homeopathy
• Like cures like
  
• Incredibly weak dilutions
  
• The lower concentration of a dangerous substance in the medicine, the stronger it works
• Very popular in Europe
• Cold reading, warm reading, hot reading
• John Edward
• Background information
• Some criticism of his methods
  
• South Park episode
  
• Sylvia Browne
• Background information
  
• http://www.stopsylviabrowne.com/
• Shawn Hornbeck
• Appearance on Montel Williams and Larry King Live
• Acceptance of James Randi's $1,000,000 Challenge
  
• James Van Praagh
  
• Shawn Hornbeck
• Confrontations with Michael Shermer
• Caught cheating in Denver
  
• To be discussed at November's meeting (date, time, and location TBD):
• Common Logical Fallacies
• The Secret
• Global Warming
• Other topics TBD
  

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