Category: Critical Thinking
Natural History
It usually takes me several weeks to write these essays, in part because I am slow, and in part I have more to do in retirement than I ever did when working. But as this goes live, I am recovering from a new knee replacement. As I age I am having everything that fails and either be replaced or removed. Orchiectomy next?...
The Misinformation Wars
The core mission of SBM comes down to a few things – examining the complex relationship between scientific evidence and healthcare, exploring issues of how optimally to regulate health care and health products, and fighting misinformation. Over the years I think we have made some solid strides on the first category. The medical infrastructure has been trending increasing towards higher standards of...
The willful blindness of RFK Jr’s supporters
Shrug, move on and never admit you were wrong
Bhattacharya for the CDC?
The Stanford health economist turned right-wing pandemic star could help take down academia and scientific institutions in a second Trump administration
How conspiracy theories like COVID-19 “lab leak” harm science and public health
Ever since COVID-19 first emerged in 2020, evidence-free claims that it had arisen due to a "lab leak" have proliferated. A recent paper argues that this conspiracy theory has been very harmful to science. I argue that it's more than just lab leak that is harmful.
The ultimate COVID-19 antivax conspiracy theory, courtesy of the Brownstone Institute and Jeffrey Tucker
I've long argued that antivax beliefs, indeed all science denial, is conspiracy theory. Leave it to The Brownstone Institute's Jeffery Tucker to make my point better for me than I ever could. Of course, Brownstone was always going to "go there."
We finally learn from TACT2 what we should have known two decades ago: Chelation therapy doesn’t work for heart disease
At SBM, we've long argued that chelation therapy for heart disease is quackery. An abstract presented recently finally confirmed that. Why did it take so long?
The Menace of Wellness Influencers
Wellness influencers are often also conspiracy theorists, as both mindsets rely upon the same underlying methods, motivation, and narrative.
Novak Djokovic credits the TaoPatch for his success: What does the science say?
His ‘Biggest Secret’ is a tiny sticker selling for hundreds of dollars
Trust Me-I’m a Doctor
Trust is a fragile yet critical resource for any institution. At the end of the day, civilization is mostly built on a handshake and a mutual agreement to follow the rules. This includes trust that designated experts have the expertise they claim, are competent, and are acting appropriately in the interest of others, rather than exploiting their position for self-dealing. A critical...