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Absolutely. It's through following the course of politics and economics since the 2008 crash that I've come to the opinion that nothing ever changes unless the current situation genuinely becomes intolerable for everyone in charge.This is pretty much the central tenet underpinning how politics is conducted in the UK - one of our major political parties even has a name that means "averse to change or innovation". General Elections in the UK usually see the major parties compete to see who can do a better of job of reassuring the voters that they're a safer pair of hands who won't do anything too radical.
2) Peer review? What peer review? Were the peer reviewers bribed in any way?
I think this explains maybe 90% of it, when you consider that they are supported by others who are have vested interests, or lazy, stupid or wrong. The other 10% of the time there is something to it, and less than 1% the conspiracy is spot on. Yet if nobody looks even that 1% would get missed.I think it much more accurate to assume people are simply lazy, stupid and wrong.
PACE data: QMUL disclosure under FOI
http://sallyjustme.blogspot.ie/2016/09/pace-data-qmul-disclosure-under-foi.html
Bleijenberg & Knoop wrote an editorial with the Lancet paper. I've heard it said before that people who write editorials with papers are usually reviewers who offer to write an editorial.
It seems more likely than usual in this case one of them was a reviewer as the peer review was fast tracked so there wouldn't be much time for somebody outside to write an editorial.
Bleijenberg & Knoop are CBT for CFS fanatics.
Have you all seen this blog post by @sarah darwins? Warning: it's unsafe to drink anything while you read this. I nearly snorted my tea.
http://forums.phoenixrising.me/index.php?entries/the-dead-trial-sketch.2011/
I agree, I just feel that too often conspiracy seems to be the first port of call these days. I think it's probably that 10% that is the most interesting, and which is where I would lay PACE.I think this explains maybe 90% of it, when you consider that they are supported by others who are have vested interests, or lazy, stupid or wrong. The other 10% of the time there is something to it, and less than 1% the conspiracy is spot on. Yet if nobody looks even that 1% would get missed.
I agree with what you wrote, but it should also be pointed out that their complete disregard for the scientific method, which is there to eliminate human bias as much as possible, disqualifies them from calling themselves scientists. If they want to peddle a belief system which their intuitive wisdom tells them must be true, they can join the ranks of homeopaths, astrologers and reiki practitioners.I doubt they've ever considered themselves to be in the wrong, even when it came to blithely ignoring the massive inflation of their figures ("But we know it's true") or their inability to beat controls ("it was probably the swappers, of course it was").
It isn't a question of excusing them, it's about knowing your enemy.When you look at the millions of lives they have wreaked havoc on by dressing their quackery up as science, "but we were only trying to help!" just doesn't cut it for me. The road to hell and all that.
I agree with what you wrote, but it should also be pointed out that their complete disregard for the scientific method, which is there to eliminate human bias as much as possible, disqualifies them from calling themselves scientists. If they want to peddle a belief system which their intuitive wisdom tells them must be true, they can join the ranks of homeopaths, astrologers and reiki practitioners.
When you look at the millions of lives they have wreaked havoc on by dressing their quackery up as science, "but we were only trying to help!" just doesn't cut it for me. The road to hell and all that.
I know you weren't excusing them, but even assuming a lack of intention, which may have been fair earlier, is cutting them too much slack at this stage. What you describe may well have been how things started, but when you consider how long it's been going on for and the depths to which they have sunk, it looks to me like at some point along the way they had to make the choice between dealing with legitimate criticism, or going all-in without regard to the well-being of patients. They clearly chose the latter course.It isn't a question of excusing them, it's about knowing your enemy.
Have you ever met a true bastard who was prepared to admit to the havoc that they wreaked, especially to themselves? People aren't pantomime villains, we can usually find an excuse for pretty much anything. It's probably what keeps them going.I know you weren't excusing them, but even assuming a lack of intention, which may have been fair earlier, is cutting them too much slack at this stage
That may well be, but I'm going to be booing and hissing and shouting "behind you!" all the way through what remains of their sorry performance, and when they finally get their comeupance I'll be finishing off my popcorn and joining in the singalong.Have you ever met a true bastard who was prepared to admit to the havoc that they wreaked, especially to themselves? People aren't pantomime villains, we can usually find an excuse for pretty much anything. It's probably what keeps them going.
I'm a bit bored with my rage, to be honest. I get it out and check it's there from time to time but it just feels a bit old these days. I just want to beat the fuckers so I can die happy.I don't care if they admit to their evil or repent, I just want to see them booed offstage with widow twanky's boot up their arse.