Monday, 3 October 2011
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Bad Science (sorry Mr Goldacre, couldn't think of anything else to call it)
Well, after a quick look on facebook it appears that I may have rattled the cage of someone who thinks that big pharmacutical companies are bad, and that all-natural is the panacea of illnesses. I won't point names and name fingers, but I will paste our conversation.
Him: Type up 'veganism and cancer' on Google, also 'Wheatgrass and cancer' on Google, they both basically prevent cancer if you've been diagnosed with it. There's also an Amazonian plant which can heal cancer, but the state like an unhealthy nation because we then become reliant on them, believing they are trying to help us find a cure, when all they're really doing is exploiting our loved ones illnesses for profit.
Me: know what, there are so many flaws with your points Stevie that it wouldn't even be fair to point them out. But not on here.
Him: Well as it seems from your profile you're 'pro-state' anyway. My points have also been proven on various accounts including a couple of which I've witnessed, one of which a guy had lung cancer and hair loss, and a few shots of wheatgrass a day over a course of time and his lungs repaired themselves and his hair grew back, you can't disprove something like that surely?
Yes It's been edited as it was on a relatives post. Also, yes, I will disprove it.
You see, Wheatgrass contains the following ingrediants... Grass. Ok, if you want to get technical, (thank you http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/Plant-Remedies/wheatgrass.htm )
1) "Wheatgrass works by filling nutritional gaps in the diet and cleansing the blood. It is high in vitamins A, C and E, containing the same amount of vitamin C as an orange. It is also an excellent source of essential B vitamins, which are necessary for normal brain and body development.
2)Wheatgrass juice also contains many essential minerals : calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, sodium, necessary for healthy bones, teeth, hair and skin.
3)Wheatgrass juice contains natural enzymes, which help the bodies defence mechanism by strengthening cells and removing poisons from the blood stream. It helps eliminate toxins accumulated from eating processed food, breathing polluted air and drinking impure water.
4)Wheatgrass also has dilating effect on the blood vessels allowing blood to flow more easily. This improved circulation means valuable nutrients can be distributed more efficiently throughout the body. It also has an effect on red blood cells, whereby it increases the iron content in the blood."
wow, it sounds very powerful. I will debunk this part one paragraph at a time. Starting from 1.
1)Any person who knows what a perfectly balanced diet is would NOT be having nutritional gaps. Also, it is unclear about how much wheatgrass contains the orange equivalent of Vit C, is it a little? is it a lot? is it a sugar-cubes worth? is it a metric-fuckload? who knows? Anyways, moving on, B vitamins. Having looked at wikipedia, the conditions which arise from all B vitamins is pretty darn scary. However, as pointed out, any person with a varied diet (heck, even processed food these days) will be ingesting B vitamins. So that's out the window.
2) wow, sounds pretty cool, again, see point 1 about a balanced diet.
3)ENZYMES DO NOT COCKING WELL DO THAT!!!! Granted they may be primarily used in digestion and cell mediation, but they do NOT clean the blood. That's up to the Spleen and the Kidneys. The blood passes through the spleen where white blood cells attack, ingest and then digest any foreign invader (organic or not!) whilst the kidneys filter out the liquids. Enzymes don't play a part in it!
4) The only thing I could find to support this was from http://www.livestrong.com/article/442161-what-are-the-benefits-of-wheat-grass-capsules/ where it says "Ingredients in wheat grass MAY!!! stimulate your body to produce small amounts of natural nitric oxide. Nitric oxide causes your blood vessels to dilate." (see how I highlighted may? they're unsure and are guessing.)
Oh, one more thing. For people to take vitamin supplements, they normally come in a huge pill. This is because it's an enteric coating designed to take a corrosive beating from the stomach, meaning that you won't get 100% of the dose, but it's a damn sight more than a normal sugar-coating. So when you ingest wheatgrass, all them lovely nutrients and vasodilators and yummy enzymes are destroyed in the stomach. Seriously, in the continuing battle between chemicals, acids come out close to the top (alkali is worse ;-) )
Right, that's that part debunked. Let's go on about the Lung Cancer and the Hair loss. Firstly, I know not the circumstances surrounding the hair loss (could be chemo, could be alocepia, could be trauma. I dunno) But wheatgrass won't cause hair follicles to grow back. Once the root is gone, that's it, the chances of hair growing back their naturally are quite slim. If it did cause hair to grow back, I know a lot of bald blokes who would be downing it like vodka. Secondly, It appears that all those smart pharmacutical companies, biochemists and medical degrees are a waste. I mean, Cancer has been around since the dawn of time (well, seeing as it is just rogue cells, it fits really)and survival rates have never been higher thanks to modern medicine and intervention. But these are all relatively new. Say roughly 20-30 years, yet Wheatgrass has been around for millenia and still Cancer was a death sentance back then. Granted that lower life expectancy meant you wouldn't reach old age to be the most prone to cancer, but if you did live longer then, you would see.
I also refer to the little addendum after point 4. Orally ingested enzymes are digested in the stomach and have no enzymatic activity in the eater.
TL;DR? Wheatgrass curing cancer and hair-loss? Please, that's along the same lines as Homeopathy!
Him: Type up 'veganism and cancer' on Google, also 'Wheatgrass and cancer' on Google, they both basically prevent cancer if you've been diagnosed with it. There's also an Amazonian plant which can heal cancer, but the state like an unhealthy nation because we then become reliant on them, believing they are trying to help us find a cure, when all they're really doing is exploiting our loved ones illnesses for profit.
Me: know what, there are so many flaws with your points Stevie that it wouldn't even be fair to point them out. But not on here.
Him: Well as it seems from your profile you're 'pro-state' anyway. My points have also been proven on various accounts including a couple of which I've witnessed, one of which a guy had lung cancer and hair loss, and a few shots of wheatgrass a day over a course of time and his lungs repaired themselves and his hair grew back, you can't disprove something like that surely?
Yes It's been edited as it was on a relatives post. Also, yes, I will disprove it.
You see, Wheatgrass contains the following ingrediants... Grass. Ok, if you want to get technical, (thank you http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/Plant-Remedies/wheatgrass.htm )
1) "Wheatgrass works by filling nutritional gaps in the diet and cleansing the blood. It is high in vitamins A, C and E, containing the same amount of vitamin C as an orange. It is also an excellent source of essential B vitamins, which are necessary for normal brain and body development.
2)Wheatgrass juice also contains many essential minerals : calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, sodium, necessary for healthy bones, teeth, hair and skin.
3)Wheatgrass juice contains natural enzymes, which help the bodies defence mechanism by strengthening cells and removing poisons from the blood stream. It helps eliminate toxins accumulated from eating processed food, breathing polluted air and drinking impure water.
4)Wheatgrass also has dilating effect on the blood vessels allowing blood to flow more easily. This improved circulation means valuable nutrients can be distributed more efficiently throughout the body. It also has an effect on red blood cells, whereby it increases the iron content in the blood."
wow, it sounds very powerful. I will debunk this part one paragraph at a time. Starting from 1.
1)Any person who knows what a perfectly balanced diet is would NOT be having nutritional gaps. Also, it is unclear about how much wheatgrass contains the orange equivalent of Vit C, is it a little? is it a lot? is it a sugar-cubes worth? is it a metric-fuckload? who knows? Anyways, moving on, B vitamins. Having looked at wikipedia, the conditions which arise from all B vitamins is pretty darn scary. However, as pointed out, any person with a varied diet (heck, even processed food these days) will be ingesting B vitamins. So that's out the window.
2) wow, sounds pretty cool, again, see point 1 about a balanced diet.
3)ENZYMES DO NOT COCKING WELL DO THAT!!!! Granted they may be primarily used in digestion and cell mediation, but they do NOT clean the blood. That's up to the Spleen and the Kidneys. The blood passes through the spleen where white blood cells attack, ingest and then digest any foreign invader (organic or not!) whilst the kidneys filter out the liquids. Enzymes don't play a part in it!
4) The only thing I could find to support this was from http://www.livestrong.com/article/442161-what-are-the-benefits-of-wheat-grass-capsules/ where it says "Ingredients in wheat grass MAY!!! stimulate your body to produce small amounts of natural nitric oxide. Nitric oxide causes your blood vessels to dilate." (see how I highlighted may? they're unsure and are guessing.)
Oh, one more thing. For people to take vitamin supplements, they normally come in a huge pill. This is because it's an enteric coating designed to take a corrosive beating from the stomach, meaning that you won't get 100% of the dose, but it's a damn sight more than a normal sugar-coating. So when you ingest wheatgrass, all them lovely nutrients and vasodilators and yummy enzymes are destroyed in the stomach. Seriously, in the continuing battle between chemicals, acids come out close to the top (alkali is worse ;-) )
Right, that's that part debunked. Let's go on about the Lung Cancer and the Hair loss. Firstly, I know not the circumstances surrounding the hair loss (could be chemo, could be alocepia, could be trauma. I dunno) But wheatgrass won't cause hair follicles to grow back. Once the root is gone, that's it, the chances of hair growing back their naturally are quite slim. If it did cause hair to grow back, I know a lot of bald blokes who would be downing it like vodka. Secondly, It appears that all those smart pharmacutical companies, biochemists and medical degrees are a waste. I mean, Cancer has been around since the dawn of time (well, seeing as it is just rogue cells, it fits really)and survival rates have never been higher thanks to modern medicine and intervention. But these are all relatively new. Say roughly 20-30 years, yet Wheatgrass has been around for millenia and still Cancer was a death sentance back then. Granted that lower life expectancy meant you wouldn't reach old age to be the most prone to cancer, but if you did live longer then, you would see.
I also refer to the little addendum after point 4. Orally ingested enzymes are digested in the stomach and have no enzymatic activity in the eater.
TL;DR? Wheatgrass curing cancer and hair-loss? Please, that's along the same lines as Homeopathy!
Friday, 13 May 2011
Hmmm.
Well, it turns out I'm just a tad wrong in the head.
Best get it looked at really.
Don't worry, all psychological, nothing medical.
That is all.
Peace
Best get it looked at really.
Don't worry, all psychological, nothing medical.
That is all.
Peace
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Bah!
Hello all, It's been a while (a year come april) and a lot has happened and a lot has changed in that time so where to begin. Well, for a start, the family member in my last post has died (he was diagnosed in January and died on May 10th, the day before my first major exam (silver lining: he wasn't suffering for long and he was looked after by my parents throughout, plus everyone was there for him. From what I hear, the send-off was fitting. I didn't make it as the funeral was on the day I flew to Austria, he effectively banned me from turning up as he didn't want to ruin my holiday there.))
Me and my girlfriend have been to Kenya on a holiday, which was incredible. If you wanna look at pictures, then look at my flickr photostream http://www.flickr.com/photos/52810304@N06 here :-p
I started my 2nd year at uni and have taken up modules which I've been looking forward to, especially Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology. All I ask is that you don't call me Bones because of it!
So why am I writing this up at 3am? Is it because I can't sleep? Well, yeah that has something to do with it, unless I sleep type. Is it because I have something on my mind? Yes, yes it is. Is it because I'm hungry? No.
The thing that's on my mind is Depression. Now, I wouldn't say I'm depressed as some people I know, but I do go through phases. The doctor suspects I have S.A.D although it hasn't been confirmed, mainly due to me not organising any follow up appointments, but hey-ho that's life. My moods are weird, right now I think I'm going through a down phase and just feel quite shit tbh, but I know that in a week or a couple of days it will pass and I will be cheery again.
People who know me keep asking what is wrong, and that's the worst part. I can't really tell them what's the matter with me, or why I'm pretty down as I just don't know.
And with that unloaded I feel like I should get to bed as I'm up again in 4 hours for about 10 hours of lecture. Happy days (starting with Evolution :-D)
as my dad would say... Keep Smiling
Me and my girlfriend have been to Kenya on a holiday, which was incredible. If you wanna look at pictures, then look at my flickr photostream http://www.flickr.com/photos/52810304@N06 here :-p
I started my 2nd year at uni and have taken up modules which I've been looking forward to, especially Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology. All I ask is that you don't call me Bones because of it!
So why am I writing this up at 3am? Is it because I can't sleep? Well, yeah that has something to do with it, unless I sleep type. Is it because I have something on my mind? Yes, yes it is. Is it because I'm hungry? No.
The thing that's on my mind is Depression. Now, I wouldn't say I'm depressed as some people I know, but I do go through phases. The doctor suspects I have S.A.D although it hasn't been confirmed, mainly due to me not organising any follow up appointments, but hey-ho that's life. My moods are weird, right now I think I'm going through a down phase and just feel quite shit tbh, but I know that in a week or a couple of days it will pass and I will be cheery again.
People who know me keep asking what is wrong, and that's the worst part. I can't really tell them what's the matter with me, or why I'm pretty down as I just don't know.
And with that unloaded I feel like I should get to bed as I'm up again in 4 hours for about 10 hours of lecture. Happy days (starting with Evolution :-D)
as my dad would say... Keep Smiling
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Just a thought
ok, here's me looking at the worst case scenario. But guess what's been on my mind lately, for some odd reason.
7 Defective Genes
1 rebellious cell not obeying the PCD function.
1 Cell's ironic quest for immortality
1 family mourning
It's unreal how something so small, so minute as a single chemical, which is either there or not, can cause so much pain, fear and anger in the world.
7 Defective Genes
1 rebellious cell not obeying the PCD function.
1 Cell's ironic quest for immortality
1 family mourning
It's unreal how something so small, so minute as a single chemical, which is either there or not, can cause so much pain, fear and anger in the world.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Edduekayshunn
It's been almost 2 months since myself and fellow students could start re-applying for free monies, and it got me thinking. It's a question that has been on my mind for quite some time now, ever since the news was announced really, about the govenments view on higher education and the funding towards it. My question is simple so if you can answer it feel free, the question is thus:
What..........the HELL do the government think they are doing?
They have cut the budget by £449 million (or £51 million less than half a billion to give some context) and yet are still urging people to go to uni. This is going to have one hell of a knock on effect. The reason why I am ranting here is because the govenment (ok, I use that term too freely, it's not the whole government I'm angry at here, just the Higher Education Funding Council) have decided that they need to save money due to the economy. By saving money they can help rebuild the economy.
Bollocks I say!
By making more cuts it means that universities are going to have to cut the amount of places available to study, and even stop some of their courses altogether. On top of that universities will also put their fees up. Which is bad as most students struggle to live on their loans as it is (when you get books, equipment, rent etc.)
The repercussions of this decision to cut costs will spread out across a couple of generations. Less students means less skills being taught, which means less qualified people which means there are not enough doctors, nurses, scientists, teachers, business managers (both domestic and overseas) etc. I'm willing to bet that in the future the HEFC and possibly even Prime Minister Bruce Dickinon will be complaining saying there are not enough qualified people in this country doing important jobs and we should be encouraged to go to university and higher education.
If I want to be encouraged to do something I want to have the reassurance that what I'm going to do is going to be long term. Hell, I've already had a scare this year when I found out the course I'm doing was looked at as one of the courses the university might have wanted to cut. If they did, it would mean I've wasted 2 years here and got nothing to show for it. I Probably wouldn't have been able to transfer my grades and I would have to start from scratch.
I'm willing to make a bet of £5 that, in the future, the government (or the HEFC) blames the people for not embracing higher education and makes us feel ashamed.
Why only £5? I'm a student, it's all I can afford.
C.
*ninja edit* If you see any flaws above, feel free to comment on where I went wrong. If you're going to be an ignorant sod and completely deflate this post, well, I hope you lose both your arms and get an itchy bum-hole.
What..........the HELL do the government think they are doing?
They have cut the budget by £449 million (or £51 million less than half a billion to give some context) and yet are still urging people to go to uni. This is going to have one hell of a knock on effect. The reason why I am ranting here is because the govenment (ok, I use that term too freely, it's not the whole government I'm angry at here, just the Higher Education Funding Council) have decided that they need to save money due to the economy. By saving money they can help rebuild the economy.
Bollocks I say!
By making more cuts it means that universities are going to have to cut the amount of places available to study, and even stop some of their courses altogether. On top of that universities will also put their fees up. Which is bad as most students struggle to live on their loans as it is (when you get books, equipment, rent etc.)
The repercussions of this decision to cut costs will spread out across a couple of generations. Less students means less skills being taught, which means less qualified people which means there are not enough doctors, nurses, scientists, teachers, business managers (both domestic and overseas) etc. I'm willing to bet that in the future the HEFC and possibly even Prime Minister Bruce Dickinon will be complaining saying there are not enough qualified people in this country doing important jobs and we should be encouraged to go to university and higher education.
If I want to be encouraged to do something I want to have the reassurance that what I'm going to do is going to be long term. Hell, I've already had a scare this year when I found out the course I'm doing was looked at as one of the courses the university might have wanted to cut. If they did, it would mean I've wasted 2 years here and got nothing to show for it. I Probably wouldn't have been able to transfer my grades and I would have to start from scratch.
I'm willing to make a bet of £5 that, in the future, the government (or the HEFC) blames the people for not embracing higher education and makes us feel ashamed.
Why only £5? I'm a student, it's all I can afford.
C.
*ninja edit* If you see any flaws above, feel free to comment on where I went wrong. If you're going to be an ignorant sod and completely deflate this post, well, I hope you lose both your arms and get an itchy bum-hole.
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
An open letter to a bad driver
This has been posted on facebook, but sod it, thought I might as well post it here as well.
Dear Cunty McCunterton III of Cuntsville, Virginia.
The only reason why I presume you live in Virginia is because of how you were driving along the M6 near towards Stoke-on-Trent, England, UK.
First of all, allow me to apologise for my lack of ability to phase-shift through solid objects. It would appear that, as I was in the fast lane overtaking 4 Lorries, with a crash barrier on the right hand side, I was merely dawdling. In fact I was within the speed limit, maybe a unit or 2 over but that is irrelevant to you. I was in your way, which is why you must have flashed your lights. To warn me to get out of the way.
But here's the thing, due to my lack of phase-shifting abilities I could not go anywhere, let alone take my car with me. If I had attempted to do that I would end up either 4 inches thick (which would do wonders to my weight loss plan) on one side or resembled something made by Damien Hirst due to a crash barrier on the other. This is why I stood my ground and sped up a tiny bit so you were not able to see which colour of underwear I was wearing (blue, in case you're interested. With a worrying brown streak after seeing how close you got, not matter, I class it as a 'go-faster stripe'"
Secondly, why did you flash me? If you knew me at all you would know I can be a stubborn person and when somebody tries to scare me off the road, then I piss them off. That is why after you had kept your distance I slowed down so I was going *just* faster than the Lorries. I did not see anyone else complain, It could have been the fact that the government had decided to give out free Xanax for everyone and they were happy. Or maybe it was due to the roadwork’s we were stuck in with 50MPH emblazoned everywhere and average speed cameras dotted bout the place! Either way, I was not moving, so flashing me was useless (and quite rude, IMHO.)
Thirdly, why on earth did you start following me? Was it because I lacked the ability to phase-shift and travel THROUGH solid metal moving at 45-50mph? Was it because you were REALLY curious about the colour of my underwear? or was it because you just wanted to apologise to me for being a cunt? I shall never know as I never stopped. I wanted to at a couple of service stations, but as soon as I indicated, so did you. This made me uneasy and so I kept on travelling. Of course, things got really silly when you thought you could out-smart me and UNDERTAKE the lorry in the middle lane. He was there for a reason and that reason was the little reliant robin tootling along. Oh how red your face was when you discovered that, though I'm not sure if it was humiliation or anger.
At this point Sir, I feel I must point out that you were driving a clapped out Volvo Hatchback (F or K reg, I'm not sure) and were not driving the latest Cock-rocket you thought you were. May I give you a few tips to help you through life.
Calm down, your blood pressure will thank you
Untie you tie and don't let it strangle you
Notice the traffic ahead, and take positive actions to avoid accidents
Time your journey, If you are going to be late and let people know
Slow Down - feel better knowing that you're less likely to kill.
An easy way to remember this acronym is realise it also describes a certain genre of people who earn a 'special' place in my heart. C.U.N.T.S.
You were not in a brand new BMW. You were not in the latest Audi. For god's sake man, you weren't even in a mercedes van! You were in a clapped out Volvo hatch-back which I'm nigh-on sure had it's spare tire on!!!
Stop it, just Stop it, you're being silly.
Yours Sincerely
C
Dear Cunty McCunterton III of Cuntsville, Virginia.
The only reason why I presume you live in Virginia is because of how you were driving along the M6 near towards Stoke-on-Trent, England, UK.
First of all, allow me to apologise for my lack of ability to phase-shift through solid objects. It would appear that, as I was in the fast lane overtaking 4 Lorries, with a crash barrier on the right hand side, I was merely dawdling. In fact I was within the speed limit, maybe a unit or 2 over but that is irrelevant to you. I was in your way, which is why you must have flashed your lights. To warn me to get out of the way.
But here's the thing, due to my lack of phase-shifting abilities I could not go anywhere, let alone take my car with me. If I had attempted to do that I would end up either 4 inches thick (which would do wonders to my weight loss plan) on one side or resembled something made by Damien Hirst due to a crash barrier on the other. This is why I stood my ground and sped up a tiny bit so you were not able to see which colour of underwear I was wearing (blue, in case you're interested. With a worrying brown streak after seeing how close you got, not matter, I class it as a 'go-faster stripe'"
Secondly, why did you flash me? If you knew me at all you would know I can be a stubborn person and when somebody tries to scare me off the road, then I piss them off. That is why after you had kept your distance I slowed down so I was going *just* faster than the Lorries. I did not see anyone else complain, It could have been the fact that the government had decided to give out free Xanax for everyone and they were happy. Or maybe it was due to the roadwork’s we were stuck in with 50MPH emblazoned everywhere and average speed cameras dotted bout the place! Either way, I was not moving, so flashing me was useless (and quite rude, IMHO.)
Thirdly, why on earth did you start following me? Was it because I lacked the ability to phase-shift and travel THROUGH solid metal moving at 45-50mph? Was it because you were REALLY curious about the colour of my underwear? or was it because you just wanted to apologise to me for being a cunt? I shall never know as I never stopped. I wanted to at a couple of service stations, but as soon as I indicated, so did you. This made me uneasy and so I kept on travelling. Of course, things got really silly when you thought you could out-smart me and UNDERTAKE the lorry in the middle lane. He was there for a reason and that reason was the little reliant robin tootling along. Oh how red your face was when you discovered that, though I'm not sure if it was humiliation or anger.
At this point Sir, I feel I must point out that you were driving a clapped out Volvo Hatchback (F or K reg, I'm not sure) and were not driving the latest Cock-rocket you thought you were. May I give you a few tips to help you through life.
Calm down, your blood pressure will thank you
Untie you tie and don't let it strangle you
Notice the traffic ahead, and take positive actions to avoid accidents
Time your journey, If you are going to be late and let people know
Slow Down - feel better knowing that you're less likely to kill.
An easy way to remember this acronym is realise it also describes a certain genre of people who earn a 'special' place in my heart. C.U.N.T.S.
You were not in a brand new BMW. You were not in the latest Audi. For god's sake man, you weren't even in a mercedes van! You were in a clapped out Volvo hatch-back which I'm nigh-on sure had it's spare tire on!!!
Stop it, just Stop it, you're being silly.
Yours Sincerely
C
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