Comments on: Holy frack! It’s Mind Body Wall$t festival time again

By: Maggie

Maggie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:50:56 +0000

Hi Aggrevado, sorry for not getting back to you – your comment was caught in moderation which we thought we had turned off. I take your point, however this is the precise reason why we do go, to research these crazies in order that we may expose them later. By posing as a punter and talking to these people we are able to glean much more information about the nonsense they are espousing, and then take the appropriate action. For example, after our visit on Sunday we are currently in the process of reporting one group to the TGA for fraudulent claims. We would not have been able to do this without talking to them, give them enough rope as the saying goes.

I personally collected a plethora of nonsense, in black and white, which I intend to use in blogs, articles, on the podcast and where necessary, take to regulatory bodies for further investigation/action. Being an arm-chair sceptic has a purpose, but sometimes we need to get in there and experience it first hand cause there is no substitute for your own research. And even though it is painful and at times, blood-boiling, I learn a lot about how these people work, hence improving my arsenal for attack later on.

Your point about having a stand has been discussed – logisitically it is not easy. These things are expensive and contrary to the woo, we are not selling anything (ie., shafting people). This plus a 4 day commitment when we all have full time jobs, makes it difficult!
BUT, not out of the question. I would love if we could do it.

Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. I have a few reports planned detailing my experiences from Sunday.

Maggie

By: Maggie

Maggie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:36:57 +0000

Hi Michael, thanks for you comments. Part of the reason why I have not been completely open about who I am is for fear of litigation. A sceptical colleague of ours was recently threatened with legal action for satirical YouTube videos mocking some woo people. So here, I have resorted to using “screen names” for my friend (i.e. Andy Milman) and myself (Maggie). If you have seen the BBC comedy Extras, you will know to whom I refer. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.

Maggie

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:21:05 +0000

Ah, in that case the author name is at the top right hand corner of the page, at the start of the post.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:20:08 +0000

Hi Michael, it’s a bit hidden but there is an author tag right at the bottom of the post. In this case, “by Maggie.” But I see now that only appears on the front page, if you open the post page iot disappears. Hmmm. I will have a look at that. I hope to add bios for our authors soon. It is on the list.

Thanks for reading!

By: Michael Gray

Michael Gray — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:06:42 +0000

Most amusing! Thank you.
But one thing that I have difficulty with is identifying exactly who is referred to by the first person pronouns in the article, as there is no attribution that I am able to spot in the header to the piece.
A minor point, but one that occurred to me when I read that you are also an alma mater of the U of Adelaide.
Well, whomsoever you may be, please keep wielding the sharp barbs with which you so ably prick the pretentious balloons of the deluded woo-woo folk!

Michael Gray
Adelaide
South Australia

By: Naon Tiotami

Naon Tiotami — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:50:55 +0000

I can see why people go to these conventions: the atmosphere imparts a sort of authority to the products and lifestyles the people there sell and promote. Plus, you have heaps of people believing the same stuff you do, which only reinforces it all. Sometimes you really can’t blame people for not thinking.

Oh, and I tagged you. Sorry, but it had to be done: http://informalskepticism.wordpress.com/2008/11/10/ugh-ive-been-tagged/

By: Mind, Body, Wallet returns to Sydney « Skeptic Zoners

Mind, Body, Wallet returns to Sydney « Skeptic Zoners — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:07:52 +0000

[...] have an accompanying blog about MB$ on scepticsbook.com. Thanks to everyone who has been emailing me, I appreciate your feedback, comments and [...]

By: Frode

Frode — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:19:49 +0000

Can’t believe they have this thing on so soon – why does the world need so much woo-woo, so often?

Anyway, I’ll be there (that’s my plan, subject to change, of course) to try to keep you from going rabid at the woosters.

By: Aggrevado

Aggrevado — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 07:58:44 +0000

It seems to me that you are actually promoting this event and encouraging people to go…? It seems that a better way to go about combating this type of nonsense is to abstain from supporting it, and educating the public in more proactive ways. Perhaps a skeptical stall to educate people about the harm these things cause. Because by PAYING to go, you are SUPPORTING them, and promoting them on this blog.