General Discussion

longship

(40,416 posts)

162. Woo is "making shit up" without any basis, and no supporting data.

Sun Jan 5, 2014, 10:04 PM

Jan 2014

Examples:

* Autism is caused by toxins in childhood vaccinations. Buzzzz! Nope! No connection
* Flying saucers landed in Roswell, NM in the 40's. Buzzzz! Nope! That was Project Mogul.
* Fukushima Daiichi is causing sea stars to melt on the west coast of North America. Buzzzz! Nope! Three reasons why not (with references).

One could go on and on through many woo topics: ghosts, psychics, creationism, Bigfoot, alien abduction (why do they always seem to want to probe? Is that aliens, or is it human psychology?), etc.

The things that woo topics often have in common:

* They are supported by anecdotes, not actual research.
* They are often based on fear, not rationale.
* They are often driven by ideology.
* The concept of a meme may explain their infective power in society. It does not mean they are right or wrong. Memes serve only their masters, the brains they infect. But there are ways to determine fact from fiction.

The solution to woo thinking is rational, skeptical thinking. Thinking based on the methods of science.

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Highlight:

"Woo Wars" - What is "Woo"? [View all] IdaBriggs Jan 2014 OP

Woo kills... SidDithers Jan 2014 #1

Woo also saves lives. Deal with it. IdaBriggs Jan 2014 #6

No, woo doesn't save lives... SidDithers Jan 2014 #8

You know my story, Sid. I have multiple children IdaBriggs Jan 2014 #28

"When code doesn't behave as expected, the first question is WHY?" Complete non-sense Ohio Joe Jan 2014 #35

Hint: Ever had to "program for exceptions"? IdaBriggs Jan 2014 #97

Non-sense Ohio Joe Jan 2014 #102

ROFLMAO!!! IdaBriggs Jan 2014 #122

Comparing medicine to coding makes zero sense... Not even close to the same Ohio Joe Jan 2014 #129

We disagree. "Garbage In/Garbage Out" works for computers IdaBriggs Jan 2014 #130

Again... I suggest you learn about data validation... Ohio Joe Jan 2014 #135

I certainly appreciate your attempts to educate me. IdaBriggs Jan 2014 #142

Completely bullshit. eqfan592 Jan 2014 #10

Until it hits the journals, here on DU it is "woo." IdaBriggs Jan 2014 #29

You mean until it's studied in a scientific manner it isn't science? eqfan592 Jan 2014 #56

Ah, if only we could GET it studied. IdaBriggs Jan 2014 #62

There's a lot on this thread and imay have missed it. eqfan592 Jan 2014 #68

Baby! No fair! My babies are six now (and driving me a little crazy). IdaBriggs Jan 2014 #124

Peer-review is generally how science operates. Codeine Jan 2014 #59

My only issue with "peer review" is GETTING to peer review. IdaBriggs Jan 2014 #126

Peer review is just one aspect. Warren Stupidity Jan 2014 #161

Anecdotal evidence means nothing. AlbertCat Jan 2014 #71

Tell you what - define anecdotal. IdaBriggs Jan 2014 #127

Is it okay that there is so much harmful stuff in ''medicine", enough to cause death in some cases sabrina 1 Jan 2014 #133

For that use, echinacea isn't woo bhikkhu Jan 2014 #117

If that is the definition of woo, then why do so many people pnwmom Jan 2014 #184

If it could be proven to save lives, it wouldn't be called 'woo'. AtheistCrusader Jan 2014 #50

There seems to be a small group here in DU that think that they are our saviors from woo and CT. rhett o rick Jan 2014 #136

Some are trying to, yes. Marr Jan 2014 #175

Some want to believe there is a hard and fast line between science-based rhett o rick Jan 2014 #176

in most cases...no. things like natural medicine have been proven either scientifically effective Pretzel_Warrior Jan 2014 #150

He obviously needs to have faith in something, so he's a believer pnwmom Jan 2014 #183

OK, if you trash woo threads instead of trying to decide for the rest of us what to read. nm rhett o rick Jan 2014 #34

Or, some GD Hosts could recognize that "no conspiracy theories" includes medical woo... SidDithers Jan 2014 #37

^^ This ^^ Ohio Joe Jan 2014 #51

urm, speaking of bias NJCher Jan 2014 #79

I don't see what that has to do with what I said... Ohio Joe Jan 2014 #90

Nailed it. zappaman Jan 2014 #107

... would be nice! etherealtruth Jan 2014 #53

You seem to think that your definitions and interpretations can not be questioned . rhett o rick Jan 2014 #137

Some Hosts I do respect... SidDithers Jan 2014 #143

Obviously. Why would you respect those that dont agree with. That would be too liberal. nm rhett o rick Jan 2014 #156

Not agreeing with me has nothing to do with it... SidDithers Jan 2014 #157

You seem to think that your definitions and interpretations can not be questioned rhett o rick Jan 2014 #159

No. I save my disdain for Hosts who completely abdicate their responsibility... SidDithers Jan 2014 #160

I admit that I would rather error on the side of openness and not on the side of censorship. rhett o rick Jan 2014 #168

Your memory is faulty...nt SidDithers Jan 2014 #169

The fact that Marijuana has Health Benefits was considered "WOO"... bvar22 Jan 2014 #55

What is a few years ago ...? etherealtruth Jan 2014 #60

and how many people die, or suffer permanent, debilitating side effects, from scientifically created niyad Jan 2014 #93

So does standard medicine. pnwmom Jan 2014 #119

If the 13 yr. old girl in California had gone to a state-qualified Naturopath, pnwmom Jan 2014 #182

Woo does kill people: MineralMan Jan 2014 #2

However, I could also list ... LisaLynne Jan 2014 #3

I have no doubt that you could. Sick people are sick people, MineralMan Jan 2014 #7

If only "woo warriors" paid as much attention to conventional medicine... uberblonde Jan 2014 #61

I don't agree. LisaLynne Jan 2014 #149

Please add my Mother-in-Law to the list of those killed by Doctors. Pathwalker Jan 2014 #9

I have had more 2naSalit Jan 2014 #26

You are right. After my Dr. recently badly botched a medical procedure Pathwalker Jan 2014 #41

Depending on what 2naSalit Jan 2014 #123

What Doctors have done to me would require too many expletives. AlbertCat Jan 2014 #77

You ASS*U*ME badly. Pathwalker Jan 2014 #87

You ASS*U*ME badly. AlbertCat Jan 2014 #100

So, now you're a psychic who knows what I believe about Pathwalker Jan 2014 #112

When that happens, its malpractice, but its standard with "alternative" medicine... Humanist_Activist Jan 2014 #21

Holy crap, that's horrible! HappyMe Jan 2014 #12

Yes. The "naturopath" was prosecuted MineralMan Jan 2014 #14

It's scary to think that after he got out of prison HappyMe Jan 2014 #19

And that's at the core of the problem - a lack of regulation MineralMan Jan 2014 #30

That's it. No regulations HappyMe Jan 2014 #76

Depends on the state Sgent Jan 2014 #120

Wait. So you "can't prove it".... uberblonde Jan 2014 #66

Bazinga! Sheldon Cooper Jan 2014 #72

I can't prove why she committed suicide, but her missing lower MineralMan Jan 2014 #86

Thank you for that story. Woo really makes me angry-- it is not harmless. Marr Jan 2014 #57

The only reason the alternative health care industry MineralMan Jan 2014 #84

The world is not magical Ohio Joe Jan 2014 #4

Science always looks like magic to the ignorant. IdaBriggs Jan 2014 #11

"Science always looks like magic to the ignorant."... And yet it is still science Ohio Joe Jan 2014 #17

Please provide an example of a treatment that many claim to be effective, but that scientists... eqfan592 Jan 2014 #18

You're about to get an earful about micronutrients...nt SidDithers Jan 2014 #20

I'm not sure s/he will respond at all, actually. lol eqfan592 Jan 2014 #23

Follow the links to the two threads in my original post. IdaBriggs Jan 2014 #32

even understanding how a rainbow is created does not take away from its beaut, and the joy of seeing AlbertCat Jan 2014 #81

It was supposed to be a poetic analogy. IdaBriggs Jan 2014 #128

The two definitely look the same to the ignorant. n/t Orsino Jan 2014 #173

In the English language, 'woo' is a verb meaning 'to seek the affection of another with romantic Bluenorthwest Jan 2014 #5

A very appropriate definition for alternative "medicine." eqfan592 Jan 2014 #13

As used by DU's Septic Community, kentauros Jan 2014 #15

And somehow you think that is done unintentionally. THAT is the funniest part I think. ;) nt eqfan592 Jan 2014 #22

No, I don't think it's done unintentionally. kentauros Jan 2014 #24

"made-up word" progressoid Jan 2014 #45

That's beneath you. (nt) Orrex Jan 2014 #46

That differs from my understanding, Science Crow Jan 2014 #118

Septic???? Give 'em an antiseptic, then! MADem Jan 2014 #146

No, I want to say septic. kentauros Jan 2014 #151

Ahhhh!! Ho capito! nt MADem Jan 2014 #153

Rick Flair: Jerry Lewis first user of Woo. Interview here... L0oniX Jan 2014 #16

Beautiful. Iggo Jan 2014 #52

Ask Steve Jobs. Starry Messenger Jan 2014 #25

Steve Jobs would still be dead. RC Jan 2014 #33

"...real medicine is based on and got its start, with what is now called Woo." No it didn't... Humanist_Activist Jan 2014 #85

Reading comprehension? RC Jan 2014 #108

I guess it was too much to ask that you might actually read the article. Starry Messenger Jan 2014 #131

Maybe you should read up on pancreatic cancer. RC Jan 2014 #134

Or you could just read mine. Starry Messenger Jan 2014 #154

I did, but you would have to read my post to get the answers to the questions you ask. RC Jan 2014 #155

One persons woo is another persons Autumn Jan 2014 #27

There is a difference between magical thinking (woo) & knowledge frontier on point Jan 2014 #31

Remember the recent "stop taking vitamins" study IdaBriggs Jan 2014 #36

Remember how some DUers misinterpreted the recent vitamin studies... SidDithers Jan 2014 #38

+1 n/t tammywammy Jan 2014 #158

Are you purposely misrepresenting the study .... etherealtruth Jan 2014 #39

Yes, to both questions. cleanhippie Jan 2014 #44

Actually, the studies specifically state that this is NOT applicable to people with deficiencies. progressoid Jan 2014 #42

Wow. I've got to tell you, this sort of statement makes me doubt your other claims. Marr Jan 2014 #67

remember that half the people on the planet are women who have been advised to supplement with folic AlbertCat Jan 2014 #82

Awesome - you've moved to personal insults. IdaBriggs Jan 2014 #89

You lose; I win. AlbertCat Jan 2014 #96

wait, you mean the study thatsaid taking vitamins were a waste of of time, dionysus Jan 2014 #114

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2014 #40

'Woo' is a term used by the man who literally wrote the book on Big Pharma muriel_volestrangler Jan 2014 #43

I didn't know that etherealtruth Jan 2014 #48

I don't think that's a good definition of woo mathematic Jan 2014 #47

The Miracle of Modern Medicine gave me 6 months to live, tops, over 8 years ago. Shandris Jan 2014 #49

it was discovered chicken soup works AlbertCat Jan 2014 #92

Yes, you do. Shandris Jan 2014 #103

I'm all about the scientific method, and have practically no faith in any alternative treatments, Sheldon Cooper Jan 2014 #54

"Woo" is a derisive corporate term used to distract attention from "poo" Berlum Jan 2014 #58

Someone's just mad they can't post about chemtrails anymore. Codeine Jan 2014 #64

Actually, someone who is placid and who understands the Corporate Strategery Berlum Jan 2014 #69

dead-end materialist "explanations" while trashing and deriding the natural realms AlbertCat Jan 2014 #94

! dionysus Jan 2014 #115

well said...nt G_j Jan 2014 #74

The third leading cause of death Brainstormy Jan 2014 #63

Wow that's a grand conspiracy you concocted there, and vitamin C can cure cancer? Humanist_Activist Jan 2014 #91

I didn't say that. Brainstormy Jan 2014 #145

The only thing a megadose of Vitamin C does Codeine Jan 2014 #98

Not necessarily. Brainstormy Jan 2014 #144

The world is a magical place, and we all have a lot to learn. AlbertCat Jan 2014 #65

how do you define magic, to say there is no such thing? Voice for Peace Jan 2014 #113

I prefer Calvin's snowmen, especially this time of the year. longship Jan 2014 #164

love it. unforgettable snowmen of doom. Voice for Peace Jan 2014 #165

Woo peed on my rug DefenseLawyer Jan 2014 #70

This is what happens when you homeopathically fuck a stranger in the ass. nt Codeine Jan 2014 #73

So you've been wooped? L0oniX Jan 2014 #141

Must be serious stuff. raouldukelives Jan 2014 #75

More likely we're all in general agreement about most of those issues. Codeine Jan 2014 #78

Well stated. Been thinking along the same lines lately. The word 'woo' seems to have become a tool gtar100 Jan 2014 #80

++ Voice for Peace Jan 2014 #109

That's exactly it. nt laundry_queen Jan 2014 #163

I trust the rigorous scientific process and peer review than I do the opinion of herbalists. Vashta Nerada Jan 2014 #83

Way back when I was getting chemo HappyMe Jan 2014 #101

Hear, hear!! FloridaJudy Jan 2014 #152

Many of the people ZombieHorde Jan 2014 #88

This ^^^ Codeine Jan 2014 #99

Hear, hear ShazzieB Jan 2014 #116

The problem with saying "whatever works" is defining what it means for something to "work". Silent3 Jan 2014 #95

Well said. Research and education are always evolving, there is far more to the universe mother earth Jan 2014 #104

There is a difference. longship Jan 2014 #166

No one has all the answers, either side of the divide. We are all Skidmore Jan 2014 #172

Interesting that a person would compare science to snake oil. longship Jan 2014 #174

You need to read what I wrote again. Skidmore Jan 2014 #177

Science does indeed adapt to new knowledge, and absolutely science is ultimately self-correcting, mother earth Jan 2014 #180

Exactly, beautifully said. Voice for Peace Jan 2014 #105

"Woo" is short for pseudoscience. kestrel91316 Jan 2014 #106

IF.... Locrian Jan 2014 #110

Certainly woo can be dangerous Android3.14 Jan 2014 #111

DU rec BuddhaGirl Jan 2014 #121

ROFL Jamastiene Jan 2014 #125

Lol! NealK Jan 2014 #170

Woo is pseudo-scientific bullshit. Iggo Jan 2014 #132

What is woo? Vashta Nerada Jan 2014 #138

When Woo Colides, War of the Woo, The Day the Woo Stood Still, World Woo III? L0oniX Jan 2014 #139

One might think you arent taking this thread seriously. rhett o rick Jan 2014 #140

Woo is the polite way of saying "bullshit snake oil". -nt Liberal Veteran Jan 2014 #147

It is the combined primary philosophies of the Woo Dynasty, of course. nt Zorra Jan 2014 #148

Woo is "making shit up" without any basis, and no supporting data. longship Jan 2014 #162

it's a word used by people unaware of the word "quackery" Skittles Jan 2014 #167

OFFS. NealK Jan 2014 #171

A great answer to the question. longship Jan 2014 #178

The official pronunciation is 'woo woo' or 'woo-woo'. Rex Jan 2014 #179

There is one thing I've learned from the woo wars. NuclearDem Jan 2014 #181