Atheism Plus/Free Thought Blogs (FTB)

Status
Not open for further replies.
s_pepys said:
PZ hits back with rational argument?

http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2013/08/18/skepticdoc-m-d/

(trying to link with above link blocker but failing miserably)
Click to expand...


Rational or not, he seems to have left out the part where he tells the doctor it's not him feeling the symptoms, it's another anonymous person who prefers not to be medically examined. I think the vast majority of physicians would become "hyperskeptical" about rendering a diagnosis in that situation.
 
Myriad said:
Rational or not, he seems to have left out the part where he tells the doctor it's not him feeling the symptoms, it's another anonymous person who prefers not to be medically examined. I think the vast majority of physicians would become "hyperskeptical" about rendering a diagnosis in that situation.
Click to expand...

Also, another difference for many serious illnesses (if the analogy is with a serious allegation such as rape) is that say a hypochondriac who might constantly make false or misleading statements is countered by diagnostics, eg x rays etc to determine the facts as far as possible. I could say I have a brain tumour or cancer but there are objective tests to help determine whether I am mistaken.
I recently had an unusual chest pain episode and at my age saw advice that it should be checked out urgently. As it occurred within hours they were able to do a blood test for markers to exclude a heart attack.
 
Dissolution said:
What an awful strawman he's constructed there.
Totally lost it.
Click to expand...
Straw man but also a ridiculous false analogy.

If I'm assessing a patient's medical history I take many things into account besides just the words. I have a chance to cross examine for clarity and consistency. I can order objective lab tests to confirm a diagnosis. I can observe the skin and body language which in a heart attack can have specific implications about which direction to take the investigation. I may have the patient's medical history.

But the most important thing, I don't base my conclusion solely on the patient's verbal history. If he/she has chest pain, that is not enough evidence to make a diagnosis of an MI.
 
Skeptic Ginger said:
Straw man but also a ridiculous false analogy.

If I'm assessing a patient's medical history I take many things into account besides just the words. I have a chance to cross examine for clarity and consistency. I can order objective lab tests to confirm a diagnosis. I can observe the skin and body language which in a heart attack can have specific implications about which direction to take the investigation. I may have the patient's medical history.

But the most important thing, I don't base my conclusion solely on the patient's verbal history. If he/she has chest pain, that is not enough evidence to make a diagnosis of an MI.
Click to expand...


And on the flip side, if they tell you they're feeling pain in their arm and their neck, I daresay you might arrogantly dismiss their direct experience by considering that the problem might actually be in their heart. How hyperskeptical of you!
 
My computer has frozen up twice when I've opened a FTB, requiring a restart. I was even unable to just close the tab. I hope that's just a coincidence.

Anyone else have that problem?
 
s_pepys said:
PZ hits back with rational argument?

http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2013/08/18/skepticdoc-m-d/


(trying to link with above link blocker but failing miserably)
Click to expand...

A more accurate version would be:

I have a friend who has chest pain.

Chest pain? Why isn't your friend telling us this?

My friend finds it hard to talk about it.

Alright. How long has your friend been experiencing this pain?

Since she got shot.

She got SHOT!? Is the person who shot her still around?

I can't really reveal that but suffice to say it was someone prominent in the community.

Look we really need to get her to a hospital and get the police...

...it was Michael Shermer...

...what?

Are you doubting me? Are you a shooting apologist?

Look you need an ambulance and a police officer right now...

The police have a history of not believing shooting victims, and I can't get an ambulance because she wants to be anonymous!

Look, tell her she needs to get to hospital!

I can tell the person who told me about her being shot.

She didn't tell you herself!?

No! Er... maybe?
 
Last edited:
Stout said:
I wonder why PZ made the nurses in his story pretty and assumed they'd be waiting on him hand and foot. A sentence like the one PZ wrote sounds like it came from the mind of a man who values professional women for their appearance and envisions them in a subservient role.
Click to expand...

Or sees them as sexual play things (starting at about 1:20):

 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Back
Top Bottom