Vitamin B12 causes Brain Shrinking

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation of a news article regarding Vitamin B12 and its alleged link to brain shrinking. Participants express concerns about misleading headlines and the implications of such titles on public perception. The conversation touches on the responsibilities of media in reporting health-related information and the reactions to changes made to the thread title by moderators.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that the original headline "Vitamin Linked to Brain Shrinking" was misleading and could lead readers to incorrectly believe that vitamins cause brain shrinkage.
  • Others express frustration over the changes made to the thread title by moderators, suggesting it reflects a misunderstanding of the article's content.
  • A participant highlights the irony of the title change, noting that the article's new headline suggests that Vitamin B12 may prevent memory loss, contrasting with the original implication of causing shrinkage.
  • There is a suggestion that the moderator's actions were based on a quick scan of the article, leading to an incorrect title change.
  • Some participants reflect on the broader implications of how headlines can influence public understanding of health issues.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the headlines are misleading, but there is disagreement regarding the appropriateness of the moderator's title change and the interpretation of the article's content. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of the article and the responsibilities of media reporting.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the article's content and the interpretations of its implications are complex, with varying perspectives on the relationship between Vitamin B12 and brain health. There are unresolved questions about the accuracy of the headlines and their potential impact on readers.

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And at least half of the readers that see that headline will come away thinking that vitamins cause brain shrinkage. <sigh>
 


I'm one of those that just peruse the headlines without reading the article.
 
Ah! that explains why my memory keeps working better then comparable peers. I take those every day for a heart condition.


Now, where did I leave them? :rolleyes:
 
HAHAHA! They changed it! (Both the mods as well as the BBC)

When I first posted this my title was:
"Vitamin Linked to Brain Shrinking"
Which was the title of the article.

The Mods of PF changed the title to "Vitamin B12 Causes Brain Shrinking!"
WHICH WAS NOT MY DOING! I never said "causes" I said "linked" like the article.

The article's new headline is now:
"Vitamin 'may prevent memory loss' "

I assume because of complaints about a misleadign headline.

Its funny that whatever PF mod moved this topic decided to take his interpretation of the title of the article (THUS PROVING MY POINT) and change the thread accordingly!

Hilarious irony!My original point was just that the title of e article was misleading, trying to make the user read the article. It said vitamins were linked to brain shrinking. But in the article it states that that link is that it avoids shrinkage.

Its like seeing:

"Seat Belts Linked To Millions of Deaths in Auto Accidents"
A new study shows that use of seat belts has saved millions of lives since first conception. Balh blah blah..soo misleading... But I guess that's why they changed it. But the mod changing the title is still funny!
 
K.J.Healey said:
HAHAHA! They changed it! (Both the mods as well as the BBC)

soo misleading... But I guess that's why they changed it. But the mod changing the title is still funny!

Indeed, it was me :redface: :biggrin:
 
For a forum that apparently takes itself so seriously with their promotions and infractions I do not see what is funny about a moderator changing "Vitamin Linked to Brain Shrinking" to "Vitamin B12 Causes Brain Shrinking!"
 
MeJennifer said:
For a forum that apparently takes itself so seriously with their promotions and infractions I do not see what is funny about a moderator changing "Vitamin Linked to Brain Shrinking" to "Vitamin B12 Causes Brain Shrinking!"

no what happened, was I scanned the article very quickly and judging the thread content, I thought the title was a joke to get views. I then changed the title to the opposite, then read the article more closely and understood then. However I forgot the original thread title and put what I thought was an equivalent.
 
  • #10
Yeah, I didn't think the BBC would change the title so quickly. The point was lost after that...
 
  • #11
Greg Bernhardt said:
no what happened, was I scanned the article very quickly and judging the thread content, I thought the title was a joke to get views. I then changed the title to the opposite, then read the article more closely and understood then. However I forgot the original thread title and put what I thought was an equivalent.
It seems Greg should get an infraction on his official record for 3 months, and you can forget about promotions as well Greg. ;)