A very interesting article where he comes to a depressing conclusion.
http://www.theness.com/neurologicabl...2188#more-2188Conclusion
In my opinion this study represents a larger trend that I have discussed before – clinical research going backwards in quality after higher quality studies yield negative results. We have seen this with acupuncture – after well-controlled trials were negative, some proponents decided that “pragmatic” (i.e. unblinded) studies were better. We see this with homeopathy, where well-controlled studies are negative and then dismissed because treatments were not individualized.
Now we are seeing the same pattern with intercessory prayer. The research is clearly negative, so now some proponents are turning to “proximal” intercessory prayer, which just happens to require unblinding.
In the final analysis it is all an elaborate excuse to dismiss high quality negative studies in favor of low quality studies that are more likely to yield false positive results.
It's "special pleading". Whenever a faith/belief-based medical intervention doesn't work under properly controlled conditions, the proponents always come up with some special reason or exception as to why their treatment isn't suitable for testing under double-blind conditions.
As long as they keep it so that their system can be confirmed but never falsified then they can hang on to their belief.
It's just another example of how thinking becomes twisted when facts refute belief.
.
I'm very conscious of this when debating with the religious in particular. They really want to believe.Originally Posted by John Jackson
What is on my mind alot lately is how we can be aware when we are making similar unfounded leaps unknowingly. We are all prey to our upbringing and all prey to confirmation bias. I think it's important to be self critical. To examine our own beliefs. How can we know we are doing this honestly? And how much time and energy should we spend thinking of this rather than other things?
There.
That was me in an introverted mood!
Please buy me beer and say something annoying so that I snap out of it!!!
You live in Letchworth, don't you!I'm very conscious of this when debating with the religious in particular. They really want to believe.
Please say something annoying so that I snap out of it!!!
NO!You live in Letchworth, don't you!
Not Stevenage either....(do you!?).
Letchworth is weird but OK.
Stevenage is just horrid(apologies if you do!).
...and there you have it! The root of all the silly ideas that are criticised here. It's blooming hard to persuade people who want to believe in magic/woo/alternative medicine/psi...(list goes on for several pages)
I'd love to believe that a lot of it is true but sadly I am permanently hindered by a nagging inner voice which persists in asking for objective evidence...
I'd love to believe that a lot of it is true but sadly I am permanently hindered by a nagging inner voice which persists in asking for objective evidence...
Exactomundo!
I did, for 6 years in the early eighties. Worked in WGC but Steveange (!) was all I could afford, as a teacher.NO!
Not Stevenage either....(do you!?).
No, it is not a lovely place, but any worse than Hemel or Hatfield? And at least Stevenage Old Town has a Waitrose!
I know, I know...I'd love to believe that a lot of it is true but sadly I am permanently hindered by a nagging inner voice which persists in asking for objective evidence...
I'd love to believe in magic and weirdness. I just can't do it if it doesn't add up!
Tell me, just between us, do your "nagging inner voices" ever transform into nasty shouting inner monsters and give you the urge to swear a bit?!
Don't say it's just me...
No, you are probably right.
The old town is nicer. Hatfield old town too.
So, we're all agreed that everywhere north of London is shite?No, you are probably right.
The old town is nicer. Hatfield old town too.
So, we're all agreed that everywhere north of London is shite?
Thought it was South of a line between the Wash and The Bristol Channel ( with the exception of the West Country)?
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