- Medicine. An old joke, but true. Any “alternative” therapies that can be shown to work are soon adopted by real doctors, and so are not “alternative” any more. “Alternative medicine” should really be named “alternative to medicine”, since if you don’t want to try the medicine that has been shown to work you will try an alternative – one that has not been shown to work. (Or in many cases, one that has been shown not to work.)
Today Orac describes what happened to a patient who rejected the proven therapies for an alternative, with horrific consequences.
What do they call Chinese food in China?
Food.
Sadly, that's one of my favorite jokes, but it has a hidden critical thinking message: you need to think around things you take for granted.
Anyway, I love this blog! Keep it up!
Posted by: The Bad Astronomer | April 13, 2005 at 10:29 AM
its really good
Posted by: tash | September 19, 2005 at 06:34 PM
Recently posted these on the 2% trackback... and it seems they didn't show up (yet?):
What do you call a person who can perform acts of levitation, teleportation, and divination?
A stage magician.
What do you call the beings who create crop circles?
Geometers.
What do you call the ability to instantly communicate with others across the globe?
Email.
Posted by: BronzeDog | September 20, 2005 at 06:33 AM
Well alternative medicine can effect your health either positively or negativley. It can give your body side effects or it can be beneficial.
Posted by: Macgrath | September 22, 2005 at 10:44 AM
No, alternative medicine never has positive results. Why?
Remember - What do you call medicine that works?
Medicine. You did read the article and aren't just trolling, right?
Posted by: Rockstar | September 22, 2005 at 11:40 AM
Umm, that should read "what do you call alternative medicine that works". imsostupid...
Posted by: Rockstar | September 22, 2005 at 12:38 PM
I imagine that roughly 0.000001% of alt-to-med might have some slight benefit... but I'm not going to gamble my health on those odds, especially if they're uninterested in divising proper tests.
About the only thing real doctors can learn from alt-to-med is probably good bedside manner, if they skip the lessons on blaming the victim when things don't work out.
Posted by: BronzeDog | September 22, 2005 at 01:08 PM