More Thoughts on Woo - and How Doctors Don't Take Women Seriously

[IdaBriggs]

88. As used here on DU it can charitably be described --

(as I put in another post earlier this week)

"Woo" is generally anything that has not gone through rigorous scientific testing and stringent peer reviewed studies. http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024188166

As I said, charitable definition - here on DU it is regularly used as an insulting or disparaging way to condescend, minimize, sneer, or otherwise belittle others, frequently under the guise of assuming anyone who does not hold a golden ticket to the hallowed halls of "science done correctly" is ignorant, uneducated, gullible, prone to fantasy or delusion, mentally inferior, and/or a danger to society.

"Woo" has been identified by the sacred cabal of "we're right and you're wrong so neener neener" as including such topics as nutrition (unless it is from a reputable journal, of course), vitamin and mineral supplementation, aromatherapy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, folk medicine, apple cider vinegar proponents, and anyone who insists they achieved a positive outcome without benefit of the miracle of modern medicine or pharmacology. To put forth such a view (or even talk about any of these topics without snorting at the sheep who waste their money while destroying civilization by disrespecting Real Science) is to be a proponent of "Woo" meaning you will never need to be listened to by these Good People Ever Again because if you try to convince them you know what you are talking about, you are a snake-oil salesman, if you use your own experience, it is because you don't understand why it is "anecdotal" and if you discuss someone other than yourself, it is because you don't understand how Real Science Works.

It has been going on for a while now, but the current kerfluffle started over nutrition and vitamin/mineral supplementation (because only idiots who like to waste money take multivitamins, per the anti-woo brigade - it's SCIENCE, dammit!).

Does that help?