Just last night, I found myself at a friend's house watching an infomercial where some guy was selling his book which was full of "natural cures" for serious diseases: diabetes, cancer, (oh yes, all types of cancer), AIDS, everything out there that makes people afraid and desperate.
I have heard about this guy. In fact, I remember seeing him lampooned on the Daily Show--but see, that points to a gulf too, because on the Daily Show it's so ridiculous it can just be mocked, but then there are people who really want to believe these things. I feel the same way about that guy who's constantly writing about the "conspiracy" to make people believe that weight has anything to do with health. That too is supposed to be about big pharm making money off of diet pills (when really, don't they make far more money off of all the medicines for illnesses weight can make worse). It sounds good, but it's not.
But then, one of my favorite shows is Penn & Teller's Bullshit, so it's no wonder I like this stuff!
Now, I just step back and maybe go write about in my LJ, or just dismiss whatever it is altogether. Cowardly, but true!
I completely understand how you feel! But still there's always part of me that's confused when people don't appreciate this. I don't mean somebody swooping in and telling them their argument fails, but honestly explaining how it breaks down and what they're really saying.
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Re: Looooong reply (again!)
Date: 2005-09-06 01:36 am (UTC)I have heard about this guy. In fact, I remember seeing him lampooned on the Daily Show--but see, that points to a gulf too, because on the Daily Show it's so ridiculous it can just be mocked, but then there are people who really want to believe these things. I feel the same way about that guy who's constantly writing about the "conspiracy" to make people believe that weight has anything to do with health. That too is supposed to be about big pharm making money off of diet pills (when really, don't they make far more money off of all the medicines for illnesses weight can make worse). It sounds good, but it's not.
But then, one of my favorite shows is Penn & Teller's Bullshit, so it's no wonder I like this stuff!
Now, I just step back and maybe go write about in my LJ, or just dismiss whatever it is altogether. Cowardly, but true!
I completely understand how you feel! But still there's always part of me that's confused when people don't appreciate this. I don't mean somebody swooping in and telling them their argument fails, but honestly explaining how it breaks down and what they're really saying.