House of Numbers: Is it Good Science or Skepticism?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the film "House of Numbers" which raises doubt about the link between HIV and AIDS. However, evidence supporting the link is strong and there is a dangerous movement of AIDS denialism that has caused harm in the past. It is important to be skeptical and fact-check information, especially when it comes to serious health issues like HIV/AIDS.
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Phyisab****
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I figured this was deserving of a mention here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Numbers

Someone brought this up in the comments on a cnn.com article (don't read those comments if you have any desire to retain your faith in humanity). It seems to raise a number of good points, is this good scientific information or should I be skeptical?
 
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I believe that you should not be skeptical; rather, you should be extremely skeptical.

The evidence that HIV causes AIDS is very strong. See http://www.houseofnumbers.org/" , which refutes the film directly.
 
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  • #3
lol there are conspiracists about AIDS too??! What is wrong with some people?
 
  • #4
When people who believe these kinds of conspiracies purposely fudge the facts, that's proof to me they don't even believe it themselves. So what's their motivation?
 
  • #5
zomgwtf said:
lol there are conspiracists about AIDS too??! What is wrong with some people?

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDS_denialism. It's a very dangerous movement, once officially supported by the president of South Africa. That president caused over 300 000 AIDS deaths by impeding the distribution of anti-viral drugs.
 

1. What is the premise of "House of Numbers"?

The documentary "House of Numbers" explores the controversy surrounding the HIV/AIDS epidemic and whether or not the scientific evidence supporting the existence of HIV as the cause of AIDS is valid.

2. Who is the director of "House of Numbers" and what are their credentials?

The director of "House of Numbers" is Brent Leung, who does not have any scientific credentials. He has a background in journalism and previously worked as a producer for the BBC and other media outlets.

3. Is "House of Numbers" considered a credible source of information?

No, "House of Numbers" has been widely criticized by the scientific community for presenting misinformation and cherry-picking data to support its claims. It has also been accused of promoting harmful conspiracy theories and contributing to the spread of HIV denialism.

4. What are some of the main arguments presented in "House of Numbers"?

Some of the main arguments presented in "House of Numbers" include questioning the validity of HIV testing, suggesting that HIV does not cause AIDS, and promoting alternative treatments for HIV/AIDS.

5. How can viewers critically evaluate the information presented in "House of Numbers"?

Viewers should carefully fact-check the claims made in "House of Numbers" and seek out information from reliable, peer-reviewed sources. It is important to consider the credentials and biases of those involved in the production of the documentary, as well as the overall scientific consensus on the topic.

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