A Graphical Representation of Irony for Trafigura and the BCA

... by Martin

The first of the graphs below the fold shows traffic to layscience.net for the first 16 days of October, an already high-traffic month thanks to my lovely new band of guest bloggers. It is also a graphical demonstration of the Streisand Effect in action; the phenomenon by which attempts to stifle discussion of a subject only encourage more chatter.

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	CAM Newsround: Singh-BCA and Tredinnick ... by James Cole
My Twitter feed has been full of tweets today regarding the Simon Singh / British Chiropractic Association case and a remarkable press release issued by the BCA, but there have also been several mentions of an MP named David Tredinnick. 11 Comments Read More
Similar Articles: Singh Case Puts Chiropractors Under Siege... The Pod Delusion #23... British Chiropractic Association Give Statement ...

	Reasons Why Singh Shouldn't Countersue ... by Martin
Yesterday, the British Chiropractic Association made what many believe was a serious error of judgement in a press release regarding Dr. Simon Singh's recent appeal victory. In the release they stated that: "However, this action is actually a simple libel claim based... 12 Comments Read More
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Law

Petition for Libel Law Reform

Wed, 02/10/2010 - 21:42

A message from Simon Singh:

As you know, England’s chilling libel laws need to be reformed. One way to help achieve this is for 100,000 people to sign the petition for libel reform before the political parties write their manifestos for the election. We have 17,000 signatures, but we really need 100,000, and we need your help to get there.

Sign here

My idea is simple: if everyone who has already signed up persuades just one more person each week to sign the petition then we will reach our goal within a month!

Evidence-Based Assessment of Traffic Violations - Germany Is Starting Today

Wed, 01/27/2010 - 11:58

Germans are known for their high degree of organisation, their bureaucratic mentality, and, of course, their Autobahn (which, in fact, did not originate with Hitler). When these three things come together, what do you get? Flensburg, that's what.

The MHRA, homeopathy & a clear breach of an EU Directive

Wed, 01/20/2010 - 16:12

The other day, Martin wrote about the MHRA’s label test for Arnica 30C. I think that perhaps he was a touch unfair. This was only a label test, and not intended to be anything else. The purpose is to ensure that the label is clear to consumers (you can’t have patients when the ‘medicine’ is just magic water) and that it accurately conveys what is supposed to be in the bottle.

Campaign for Libel Reform

Thu, 12/10/2009 - 21:57

Yesterday a merry band of celebrities, journalists, lawyers, assorted press and bloggers joined representatives of of English PEN, Index on Censorship and Sense About Science at the Law Society to launch the Campaign for Libel Reform.

Their recent ‘Free Speech Is Not For Sale’ has provoked a welcome response from Jack Straw who has set up a group to respond to it. He, like many in the Conservative and Lib-Dem parties, seems to now be amenable to change in English libel laws. Evan Harris MP said: “There are reasons to be encouraged … there’s a kind of moment around the issue of free speech”.

Westminster Skeptics in the Pub: Evidence-Based Policy or Policy-Based Evidence?

Tue, 11/17/2009 - 19:09

“This talk has been approved by the Home Office and so may be damaging to your health” started Professor David Nutt last night at a crowded Skeptics Westminster. For such a serious subject, the evening produced a lot of laughs with the Professor, his fellow guest Dr. Evan Harris MP and visitor Dr. Ben Goldacre.

Professor Nutt started by restating the basics of the area: there are different legal classes of drugs (medical etc); whether their use was restricted; that the original intent of restriction was to reduce harm by having a system of relative based harm and appropriate penalties.

The Sins of the Mothers

Sun, 11/15/2009 - 10:55

In ‘The Merchant of Venice’ Lancelot tells the Jewish convert to Christianity, Jessica, that there is no mercy for her in heaven as she is the daughter of two Jews. Her only hope is that her mother got her with another man. In Lancelot's worldview, Jessica’s actions in life clearly cannot eradicate her ancestry on one hand, nor her mother’s adultery on the other. She says:

“That were a kind of bastard hope indeed, so the sins of my mother should be visited upon me”

Regulation and the Vitamin Pill Industry

Fri, 11/13/2009 - 17:42

Last week, I wrote about the regulation of those promoting food supplements. I was less than impressed with the lack of action taken by Trading Standards and the MHRA.

Alt Med - an Industry Like Any Other

Tue, 10/20/2009 - 20:23

There seems to be a perception among some that the alternative medicine industry is somehow warm and cuddly in comparison to everyone's favourite baddie, 'Big Pharma'. I'm sorry to say that 'Big Altie' is every bit as bad as Big Pharma. These are not charities - they are businesses like any other. Their responsibilities are to their shareholders, not to the public.