Is it possible to become a successful pseudoscientist?

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The discussion humorously critiques pseudoscience, highlighting the ease with which one can fabricate experiments and ignore scientific rigor. A satirical device called the Homeopathic Activity Verifier (TM) is introduced, claiming to use dubious technology to assess homeopathic solutions, illustrating the absurdity of pseudoscientific claims. Participants note the profitability of pseudoscience compared to legitimate research, where sensationalism often overshadows factual integrity. The conversation touches on the concept of "lifters," which are real but often misinterpreted as anti-gravity devices, emphasizing the importance of understanding scientific principles. The dialogue also explores the potential for creating cult-like followings in pseudoscience, blending humor with critiques of gullibility in society. Overall, the thread serves as a commentary on the intersection of science, skepticism, and the allure of pseudoscientific narratives.
Evo
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Yes, this is a joke.

Sometimes, I’d much rather be a pseudoscientist. It must be so much easier to slap together experiments that only seek to prove what I want them to. I could ignore bias, good statistical analysis and intellectual integrity. I could play fast and loose with scientific terminology and throw in words like “quantum”, “resonance” and “multiplasmic fendangles” when I want to sound “sciency
Continued...

The Homeopathic Activity Verifier (TM) uses patented Quantum Unified Attentuating Cathode (QUAC) technology to test the effectiveness of homeopathic solutions. Utilising Carbon Resonating Alpha Particles (CRAP) circuitry this device is cutting edge technology. Just place the solution in front of the device, press the button and the lights will activate when it detects the altered resonance harmonics of the energised water particles. If only several of the lights activate the solution may have degraded due to exposure to light or a skeptical presence.

http://sciblogs.co.nz/molecular-matters/2011/05/06/i-wanna-be-a-pseudoscientist/
 
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Evo said:
Yes, this is a joke.

You shouldn't joke about it ... it is MUCH more profitable than being actual scientist because to publish, you don't have to do any actual research, just string together a bunch of mumbo jumbo and then move on to the next book (or TV show).
 
And anyone who tries to discredit you or even adopts a skeptical stance can immediately be accused as being part of the establishment cabal with big vested interests.
 
Curious3141 said:
And anyone who tries to discredit you or even adopts a skeptical stance can immediately be accused as being part of the establishment cabal with big vested interests.
BIG PHARMA trying to keep the truth away from the populace.
 
I could only listen to six minutes of this, but it's either brilliant comedy or serious pseudoscience (meaning the narrator really believes this stuff). BTW 696 thumbs up, 198 down. I hope most of the thumbs up people just thought it was funny, but then again...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkpPbro-EAk

Note the string ends attached to the "levitated" object at the beginning.
 
You have a lot more patience than me, SW. I lasted only 46 seconds.
Evo, I've spent about the last 30 years considering the idea of starting a cult. Maybe we could partner up and get twice as rich.
 
SW VandeCarr said:
Note the string ends attached to the "levitated" object at the beginning.
Those are strings of sideways multi-resonating quantum magnetic momentum and they are attached to the universal ceiling that is up and infinitely far away.
 
Danger said:
You have a lot more patience than me, SW

If people have the time, they should listen to the whole thing. I think it might be a spoof by some physics students at a certain British university. It's an 'ultimate theory of space, time, matter, energy, life, the universe and everything' dressed up in bits of real (if disconnected) math and physics. (But no mention of the number 42 that I recall.) Early on, it resolves QM with GR and explains quantum gravity.
 
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SW VandeCarr said:
Note the string ends attached to the "levitated" object at the beginning.

Lifter is a sound science, it requires high voltage, hence the wires.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionocraft

I don't understand spoken English, so I didn't drop out till around the first static pictures.
 
  • #10
Borek said:
Lifter is a sound science, it requires high voltage, hence the wires.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionocraft

I'm glad you brought this up. Lifters are real but, before their operation was understood, many claimed they demonstrated an anti-gravity phenomenon. I suppose there are still people who think that, despite the fact they won't work in a vacuum.
 
  • #11
zoobyshoe said:
I'm glad you brought this up. Lifters are real but, before their operation was understood, many claimed they demonstrated an anti-gravity phenomenon. I suppose there are still people who think that, despite the fact they won't work in a vacuum.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk2GGoMJ7NU
 
  • #12
Borek said:
Lifter is a sound science, it requires high voltage, hence the wires.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionocraft

I don't understand spoken English, so I didn't drop out till around the first static pictures.

OK. That would be an electromagnetic phenomenon producing thrust, but I don't think you can call that "antigravity". The electromagnetically generated thrust would simply overcome gravity in this case of a lightweight metal object.
 
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  • #13
I never stated anything about antigravity - and I am aware of the fact people are misinterpreting the working principle of the lifters. It is just that the initial comment about strings could be read as suggesting first scenes of video depict some kind of hoax, while there is a perfectly valid physics behind. And as explained earlier, I am completely ignoring whatever the guy says in the video.
 
  • #14
Danger said:
You have a lot more patience than me, SW. I lasted only 46 seconds.
Evo, I've spent about the last 30 years considering the idea of starting a cult. Maybe we could partner up and get twice as rich.
Um, if there's two of you, won't you be half as rich? :-p

Sorry buddy, but there's only room for one Jesus in my cult.
 
  • #15
DiracPool said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk2GGoMJ7NU
That's the great thing about Mythbusters: they have the budget to build a vacuum chamber and settle the issue on national TV.
 
  • #16
zoobyshoe said:
That's the great thing about Mythbusters: they have the budget to build a vacuum chamber and settle the issue on national TV.

<devil's advocate>They didn't prove anything, they should show it flying in the chamber first.</devil's advocate>
 
  • #17
This was posted recently in a different thread, but it's worthy of reposting.

"Several years ago, Rockwell International decided to get into the heavy duty automatic transmission business. They were getting ready to tape their first introductory video. As a warm up, the professional narrator began what has become a legend within the training industry."​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kwl1YRYy_g
 
  • #18
That was good.
 
  • #19
russ_watters said:
Um, if there's two of you, won't you be half as rich? :-p
No, we'd double the take because we'd be targeting two distinct, yet equally gullible, segments of society.

russ_watters said:
Sorry buddy, but there's only room for one Jesus in my cult.
Oh, well... if you have one of those things kicking around you're unsuitable for membership anyhow. My ex-wife insisted upon having one in our bathroom. I didn't like the way it looked at me while I was taking a dump.
 
  • #20
Danger said:
Evo, I've spent about the last 30 years considering the idea of starting a cult. Maybe we could partner up and get twice as rich.

russ_watters said:
Um, if there's two of you, won't you be half as rich? :-p

Sorry buddy, but there's only room for one Jesus in my cult.

You fail to understand the future of social networks, such as Facebook. Someday, marketing companies will take advantage of "parrots" that promote a company's product via word of mouth. Companies will pay people to do this, with a parrot's pay determined by:

a) their reach (their number of Twitter followers, Facebook friends, etc)

b) their incorruptibility (people that are pecieved as the type that would refuse to promote products to their friends for money make the most valuable "parrot")

And, yes, selecting your parrots to cover drastically different demographic groups will extend a company's reach.

Actually, I got this idea from Jennifer Egan's "A Visit from the Goon Squad", an exceptionally well written book (especially the chapter that consisted entirely of Power Point slides - I'm a sucker for Power Point slides). And, naturally, I wasn't paid for that compliment.
 
  • #21
All I want to know is...do I get to be a scientific priestess reincarnated from the spirit of a scorpion in ancient Egypt? I can formulate some pseudo theories on relativity and the speed of light while traveling through the wormhole of reincarnation. (I was required to read a lot about the Fundamental Fysics group the semester before last -_-)
 
  • #22
HeLiXe said:
All I want to know is...do I get to be a scientific priestess reincarnated from the spirit of a scorpion in ancient Egypt?

That depends. Are you currently female? If not, an intermediate step might be required.
 
  • #23
This, Danger, is why I love you XD
 

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