So much for the idea that Oprah would embrace science-based decision making. A few months ago, on my nature networks blog I suggested that we start a movement to lobby Oprah to place a non-fiction science book on her list every few months.
I thought she would go for the idea. After all, she supported Obama and likes to read. Sadly it seems that may be all she has in common with scientists.
In their weekly recap, ScienceBlogs now reports that:
Oprah Winfrey and notorious anti-vaccination supporter Jenny McCarthy sealed a contractual deal that will enable McCarthy to spread her belief across several platforms that vaccines cause autism. These claims are vehemently opposed in the scientific community, as they remain virtually unsupported after years of rigorous scientific investigation and, if heeded as true, have lethal consequences in the form of diseases like measles, mumps and rubella. With support from Oprah, McCarthy is slated to host a syndicated talk show and maintain a blog. According to ScienceBlogger PZ Myers, this is “proof that there is no god.”
It may be time for PZ to start his own talk TV show
I’d say so. That would be excellent! A sort of Jerry Springer parade of fundamentalists and anti-science loonies. I can see it now, Ken Ham and the Reverend Sun Myung Moon with special guest star Tom Cruise. Ham ends up having a chair thrown at his head after Cruise jumps up and down screaming that his thetan levels prove the Earth is older than 6,000 years. The show could basically write itself. I hope Fox is keeping tabs on this blog, Rupert Murdoch has a sure fire money maker on his hands.
clearly you are in the wrong profession. Forget science-move into media
Actually, I moved from media into science. After two years in Hollywood I was sick to death of high stress, inflated egos and ignorance as a lifestyle choice (so I chose academia, two out of three is better than the full triumvirate).
Knowing the culture there I can guess that Oprah was probably impressed with McCarthy’s intellectualism and nuanced understanding of the issues. Fortunately, since they’ve paved over every square inch of living soil, it won’t be long before northern California secedes and leaves them without any drinking water except what they can siphon from their swimming pools. Not that I’m bitter, of course.
I’m (almost) speechless, utterly poor form displayed by someone who poses as intelligent (Oprah, not J McCarthy), or at the very least can’t be stupid.
I just did some quick surfing and found a link to this blog, which is obviously one of the ways they intend to spread the message.
Without displaying any sense of irony, the latest posting from McCarthy begins “I don’t know why I’ve always loved talking about poop…”
Too good – now my sides hurt :)
Thanks for this Darren. can you check the link that you sent. It is not popping up when I click on it.
Thanks Darren – I googled for the post, which is here. I think I lost a few too many brain cells, that I had planned to sacrifice laughing at creationists.
That is one of the worst blogs I have ever read…
Sigh.
What is the most painful is that there is a teeny tiny grain of truth hidden in the abundant compost. But I pity the poor humiliated Evan. Imagine when he comes on that post in fifteen years! And Evan is gluten-free and casein-free. Anyhow, reading some of the posts has been a source of much unintended entertainment.
BTW, you guys may have missed it, but this topic was also discussed in this recent post on Barry’s blog.
At least there are some high-profile people out there with the right idea, big ups to Amanda Peet.
I feel exploited…
I recently got my MMR booster shot(and the painfully sore arm that comes with it) and it appears a portion of the population is happy to benefit from my contribution to “herd immunity”
Yes, had missed that, Darren – thanks for the pointer!
Elizabeth – think of yourself as a soldier in the front lines, defending the children of your more stubborn co-citizens. Evan thanks you.
Jenny got her crusade onto “The Doctors” last week (here). Watch the full two clips so you can see the full nonsense and JB Handley, who’s behind her info and this site here
Quote
“About two weeks before the show, I had an interview with one of the producers over the phone. This is a pretty normal part of preparation for any TV appearance where you discuss your plans for how to approach the show and the producers share some guidelines with you on their goals for the show, etc.”
“I did my best to explain to the producer that we would be bringing some serious energy and knowledge to the show. Specifically, I told her:
“You need to tell your doctors that they better be prepared and know their stuff. If we show up and they start making sweeping statement like ‘the science has shown that vaccines don’t cause autism’ we will kneecap them on their own stage.”
I’m trying to think of the most effective way to “jam” her message?
My little one just had her latest round of shots and from conversations with other parents (some of whom have science degrees), I’m amazed and incredibly frustrated at the levels of misinformation around this.
There is some really amazing genetic and neuroscience research being done at the moment, like this article from the latest Nature, why not discuss this stuff?
oh my, I watched the “doctors” clip. Handley says stuff like “we know with certainty that vaccines cause brain injury in children” and Jenny claps and the doctors get angry and the only scientist in the show does not get a word in edgewise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v_85tAey9s
sorry, click here:“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v_85tAey9s”