"Woo Wars" - What is "Woo"? [View all]

[IdaBriggs]

I posted this in another thread, and since we have another round of "I hate woo because..." going, I thought this might help.

What is Woo? Charitably,

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

I later expanded on this theme with this -

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.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024205471

The "woo wars" are annoying. Honestly, I believe (as I have detailed in other posts) that they are simply a continuation of the "herbal midwife versus city doctor" war that has been going on for hundreds of years - the disparagement of "old wives tale" is pretty obvious.

I am a "whatever works" person; my family doesn't always eat nutritionally ideal meals so we take some basic vitamins and minerals regularly, and my premature infants were born micronutrient deficient which early intervention supplementation resolved. A lingering cough from a nasty cold seems to be resolving within a few hours of taking some "wild cherry bark syrup with echinacea." And we still took my mother-in-law to a real physician when we thought stitches were in order when she accidentally cut her finger.

I am going to continue to advocate for "woo" in my little corner of the world, and while I understand the joy of feeling superior to fools, I would personally appreciate it if the "anti-woo" would understand that, instead of strengthening their positions by insulting the reports we make, a more appropriate "scientific" response would be - "that is interesting; I wonder why that happened for you?"

The world is a magical place, and we all have a lot to learn.