Posts by Ross Mason

Last ←Newer Page 1 2 3 4 5 Older→ First

  • Hard News: Miracles just rate better, okay?,

    Damn Ross

    Gorn. Already there mate! And it's hot too.

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • Hard News: Miracles just rate better, okay?,

    I found an article (2007) that appears to have a good go at checking what works and what might not,,,,,,there are others of course but I chose the latest of the bunch.

    DO note the acknowledgement.

    http://www.springerlink.com/content/6848751578nx0t42/fulltext.pdf

    The abstract is here if you cannot download due to license issues

    http://www.springerlink.com/content/6848751578nx0t42/

    Its a study of the studies. The abstract states:

    For acute LBP, the effect size of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and manipulation were only modest (ES: 0.51 and 0.40, respectively) and there was no effect of exercise (ES: 0.07). For chronic LBP, acupuncture, behavioral therapy, exercise therapy, and NSAIDs had the largest effect sizes (SMD: 0.61, 0.57, and 0.52, and RR: 0.61, respectively), all with only a modest effect. Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation and manipulation had small effect sizes (SMD: 0.22 and 0.35, respectively). As a conclusion, the effect of treatments for LBP is only small
    to moderate. Therefore, there is a dire need for developing
    more effective interventions.

    The Study funded by:

    Acknowledgment Dr. Hayden was supported by a Postdoctoral Fellowship Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation.

    In other words, anything appears to work,,,....,modestly. Nothing like a touch eh? AND I fully concur with the power of the intimacy requirement!!!

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • Hard News: Miracles just rate better, okay?,

    Hey Peter,

    Russell's gunna shoot me:

    http://publicaddress.net/default,6012.sm#post6012

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • Hard News: Miracles just rate better, okay?,

    Dude rains down judgement

    Shit. I thought I was the only one!!!!

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • Hard News: Miracles just rate better, okay?,

    From Kyle:

    That doesn't make them ignorant.

    Please understand I am taking the meaning as "no knowledge" and not "idiots".

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • Hard News: Miracles just rate better, okay?,

    <quote>Jeez, chill out Ross<?quote>

    I am. Maybe I am just asking which comes first. The sellers or the buyers?

    If these guys hadn't advertised their wares then the media would not have picked up on it surely. And lets be straight here. These items fit the "need" for psychics, the "need" for talking to the dead. All programmes avidly made and sadly, avidly watched. There is a market and the media know it.

    And I AM on the side of what you call the victims. But Jeez, how did they become so?

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • Hard News: Miracles just rate better, okay?,

    Frank Zappa's unnervingly catchy take on God-fearing social intercourse

    And if you can't quite hear the lyrics:

    http://www.lyricsfreak.com/f/frank+zappa/catholic+girls_20056731.html

    and

    http://www.lyricsfreak.com/f/frank+zappa/crew+slut_20057130.html

    So........Unnerving.....

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • Hard News: Miracles just rate better, okay?,

    Ignorance doesn't make people nearly as vulnerable to quacks as desperation.

    But I suspect you are stuck with the second if you possess the first.

    And I think if one checks the meaning, the idea of "having the recklessness of despair" sums up the reason why ignorance is prime.

    Hope is the other nasty variation on the theme.

    "All hope is lost".....

    Ignorance:
    –noun the state or fact of being ignorant; lack of knowledge, learning, information, etc.

    Desperation:
    –noun 1. the state of being desperate or of having the recklessness of despair.
    2. the act or fact of despairing; despair.

    Recklessness:
    –adjective 1. utterly unconcerned about the consequences of some action; without caution; careless (usually fol. by of): to be reckless of danger.
    2. characterized by or proceeding from such carelessness: reckless extravagance.

    Hope:
    –noun 1. the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best: to give up hope.
    2. a particular instance of this feeling: the hope of winning.
    3. grounds for this feeling in a particular instance: There is little or no hope of his recovery.
    4. a person or thing in which expectations are centered: The medicine was her last hope.
    5. something that is hoped for: Her forgiveness is my constant hope.

    –verb (used with object) 6. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
    7. to believe, desire, or trust: I hope that my work will be satisfactory.

    –verb (used without object) 8. to feel that something desired may happen: We hope for an early spring.
    9. Archaic. to place trust; rely (usually fol. by in).

    —Idiom10. hope against hope, to continue to hope, although the outlook does not warrant it: We are hoping against hope for a change in her condition.

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • Hard News: Miracles just rate better, okay?,

    Lyprinolgate, anyone? The snake oil medicine showmen strike again.

    Dr Milan Brick. Laetril. Is another.

    Realising the date one can assume that the Science Media Centre didn't have any input. However, it is certainly a bloody good reason for the SMC to exist! I do hope they become proactive and nip such items in the bud. Or at least take the opportunity to try.

    Ignorance is such a powerful weapon preyed on by quacks.

    It makes me sad that such knowledge and life skills are not imparted to our children sufficiently well for them to understand chance, the distinct lack of evidence for and of miracles, the ability to think rationally and that all important fact their life is/was the result of race that is a life or death lottery. But for a slightly earlier sperm........it might have come out "better"......or "worse"......or....not at all.

    What is it about Mexico? Could be in the water. Maybe the Spanish inquisition? The conquistadors and their imposed catholicism? Gold GolD GOLD!!! There is still plenty there for the quacks anyway.

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • Hard News: In the Game,

    We spent $50 million on the yachting. At least rugby is a game that most kiwi kids can participate in.

    NZ Young People: 14% Rugby, 8% Touch, 18% Soccer, 13% Cricket, 10% Netball, 1% Rugby League (yes 1%).

    Maori Young People: 20% Rugby, 15% Touch, 12% Netball, 11% Soccer, 10% Cricket, 3% Rugby League.

    Pacific Island Young People: 15% Rugby, 19% Soccer, 17% Touch, 10% Cricket, 9% Netball, 5% Rugby League,

    http://www.sparc.org.nz/research-policy/participation-in-sport

    "Most Kiwi kids" don't though.

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

Last ←Newer Page 1 151 152 153 154 155 159 Older→ First