Wowbagger
The Infinitely Prolonged
Naturopathy remains highly controversial and contested since it emerged in the late 1800s. That much is true. But, today I would like to post this thread explaining some of the reasons how it could be good stuff, after all!
My mind started to flip on this issue after talking with a very astute fellow at I-Con 31 (A sci-fi/fact/fantasy convention in New York): Thomas Ragu is a futurist, fellow skeptic, and a Doctor of Naturopathy (yes, and actual doctor!). The account I am about to give is based on my memory and some notes I jotted down shortly after the meeting, so I might get some of these details wrong. Hopefully, you will eventually forgive me for any errors in here.
His point is that one can legitimately study all sorts of natural and holistic remedies without rejecting all of science: Only some of those aspects that seem to conspire against its practices. Things like nutrition, diet, exercise, vitamins and minerals, energy, etc. How can those be so bad?! What could be so wrong with treating the person as a whole, instead of just targeting the source of their ailments, the conventionally efficacious way?!
Look, this is a guy who loves it when TV shows get the science right, like E.R., Scrubs, and some episodes of Star Trek; and he hates it when they get it wrong, like the various news magazine shows, House, and some episodes of Star Trek. His opinion of Dr. Oz is fairly low: calling him a gimmicky snake-oil salesman, who is all hype and only a little substance.
And, he ran a whole panel where he was skeptical about ghosts, aliens, psychics, the moon "hoax", etc. How can someone that bright possibly be so wrong about medicine?! After all, he seems to have tons of happy clients!
For most of his career he was skeptical of homeopathy. But, recently, several studies, including some from Switzerland and Yemen, seem to indicate that there might be something to it. So he is now looking into the idea of adding it to his repertoire. Although he knew who James Randi was, he did not seem to know of his strong skeptical stance against the stuff, and I warned him to look into that.
Naturopathy is only officially licensed and certified in 15 states. And, for some reason, New York is not one of them. Dr. Ragu is campaigning to change that! He thinks the quality of care would be ridiculed far less, if they could garner the same respect as conventional medicine. And, I agree with that, but it's going to take a lot of work on their part to demonstrate that.
As we enter this second quarter of 2012, perhaps it might be high time to give naturopathy a chance!!
Let me know what you think, and try to be diplomatic! I will invite Thomas to this thread to discuss and defend his ideas, soon. But, it might have to wait until after I-Con is over.
My mind started to flip on this issue after talking with a very astute fellow at I-Con 31 (A sci-fi/fact/fantasy convention in New York): Thomas Ragu is a futurist, fellow skeptic, and a Doctor of Naturopathy (yes, and actual doctor!). The account I am about to give is based on my memory and some notes I jotted down shortly after the meeting, so I might get some of these details wrong. Hopefully, you will eventually forgive me for any errors in here.
His point is that one can legitimately study all sorts of natural and holistic remedies without rejecting all of science: Only some of those aspects that seem to conspire against its practices. Things like nutrition, diet, exercise, vitamins and minerals, energy, etc. How can those be so bad?! What could be so wrong with treating the person as a whole, instead of just targeting the source of their ailments, the conventionally efficacious way?!
Look, this is a guy who loves it when TV shows get the science right, like E.R., Scrubs, and some episodes of Star Trek; and he hates it when they get it wrong, like the various news magazine shows, House, and some episodes of Star Trek. His opinion of Dr. Oz is fairly low: calling him a gimmicky snake-oil salesman, who is all hype and only a little substance.
And, he ran a whole panel where he was skeptical about ghosts, aliens, psychics, the moon "hoax", etc. How can someone that bright possibly be so wrong about medicine?! After all, he seems to have tons of happy clients!
For most of his career he was skeptical of homeopathy. But, recently, several studies, including some from Switzerland and Yemen, seem to indicate that there might be something to it. So he is now looking into the idea of adding it to his repertoire. Although he knew who James Randi was, he did not seem to know of his strong skeptical stance against the stuff, and I warned him to look into that.
Naturopathy is only officially licensed and certified in 15 states. And, for some reason, New York is not one of them. Dr. Ragu is campaigning to change that! He thinks the quality of care would be ridiculed far less, if they could garner the same respect as conventional medicine. And, I agree with that, but it's going to take a lot of work on their part to demonstrate that.
As we enter this second quarter of 2012, perhaps it might be high time to give naturopathy a chance!!
Let me know what you think, and try to be diplomatic! I will invite Thomas to this thread to discuss and defend his ideas, soon. But, it might have to wait until after I-Con is over.
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