MetaFilter posts tagged with quackery

Stop being so bad scientish y'all

Turtles all the way down — Wed, 27 May 2009 04:25:24 -0800

Neal's Yard Remedies gets a less-than-gentle reception from readers in a Guardian Q and A.

Ig Nobel

Skeptic — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 04:42:57 -0800

Professor Luc Montagnier, 2008 Nobel Prize Laureate for Medicine, is no stranger to controversy. Recently, he has been touting his approval for the ignominiously debunked "water memory" theories of the late French immunologist Dr. Jacques Benveniste. This is not altogether surprising, given that Montagnier has filed a patent application for a method for characterising "biologically active biochemical elements" based on Benveniste's more outlandish theories. But there's more... First of all, the patent examiner who has drafted the International Search Report, in his Written Opinion on patentability, seems less than impressed by Montagnier's invention. The killer quote comes in page 10: "This is all the more problematic since: (i) the invention is based on phenomena which contradict the basic principles of physics and of chemistry, i.e. the existence of a biological activity or effect without an active molecule, and (ii) no explanation or theoretical basis makes it possible at the current time to explain the results obtained." Secondly, a man called Bruno Robert claims that Montagnier stole the invention from him. Most disturbingly, Robert filed a nearly identical patent application right before Montagnier. BTW, this may not be Montagnier's first brush with quackery.

Timecube Audio, Inc.

kickingtheground — Mon, 09 Feb 2004 21:01:42 -0800

For two decades, Peter Belt has been selling $75 pens, $750 alligator clips, "Quantum Cream" and "foil", and other somewhat pricey and *ahem* unconventional products to audiophiles, claiming these will improve the sound of their fancy hi-fi systems. Unsurprisingly, some are skeptical; however, others seem quite convinced.

Scientific Instuments

plep — Sun, 17 Aug 2003 23:40:59 -0800

Health Physics Instrumentation Collection. A shoe-fitting fluoroscope, Geiger Mueller detectors, civil defence items, atomic movie posters, radioactive quack cures, radiation warning signs, etc.
Much more in the way of historical scientific instrumentation at the University of Toronto Museum of Scientific Instuments : exhibits on psychology, acoustics, and early electron microscopy; more in the collections.
American Artifacts has some interesting articles and illustrations on antique scientific and medical instruments, such as these quack eye massagers.

quackwatch

stbalbach — Thu, 24 Apr 2003 17:59:00 -0800

QuackWatch.Org has long been a solid source for debunking medical claims by alternative health care practioners. But it turns out things are not all they are Quacked up to be, find out who is really behind the QuackWatch Conspiracy at QuackPotWatch.Org

Hymen not included

orange swan — Thu, 10 Apr 2003 10:24:17 -0800

Hymen and the back seat of your father's car not included It’s requirement for ladies who looses their virginity (virgin size) usually after delivery and some cases before also and slowly both partner looses interest in each other without knowing the cause, this Virgin cream gives you complete youthfulness and bring back virginity (virgin size) to its original shape. Your partner starts taking interest in you, which you might have not experienced before.

JettSuperior — Sun, 18 Aug 2002 12:26:45 -0800

"Are you ready to experience the future of digital pleasure?"' That link hit my inbox closely on the heels of my perusing this thread. From a 'moral standpoint', better than/worse than/same as inducing something internally?