Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Consensus science is an extremely pernicious development that means you're being had

By J.B. Handley:


Dr. Renee Jenkins, former President of the AAP: "A television show that perpetuates the myth that vaccines cause autism is the height of reckless irresponsibility on the part of ABC."

Seth Mnookin, author, The Panic Virus: “When I started researching this book, I thought, the science is so clear. This should be straightforward.”

Lisa Jo Rudy, About.com Blogger: “And many, many studies make it clear that vaccines really couldn't possibly be the cause of an autism epidemic.”

Whew. I'm tired just typing all those quotes. If that's not a sign that there is "consensus" on an issue…I don't know what is.

What do we make of so many official people saying, and at times shouting, the same thing? The late Michael Crichton, himself an M.D., addressed this notion of a bunch of pedigreed people shouting the same lie, with a level of eloquence I could never summon:

"I want to pause here and talk about this notion of consensus, and the rise of what has been called consensus science.

I regard consensus science as an extremely pernicious development that ought to be stopped cold in its tracks.

Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels;

it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled.

Whenever you hear the consensus of scientists agrees on something or other, reach for your wallet, because you're being had." Read more>>

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