Warning: If you are offended by humor that depends on psychiatric and medical diagnoses, read no further. Disclaimer: Before anyone complains (and in this age of exaggerated political correctness, someone surely will), let me make it clear that I mean no disrespect to people suffering from the illnesses mentioned below.… read more "Medical Fun with Christmas Carols"
Medium Contacts Nonexistent Brother
I’m always on the lookout for skeptical depictions of mediums in fiction, such as Robert Browning’s delicious poem “Mr. Sludge the Medium.” I just found another example where I least expected, and I wanted to share it with readers of Swift. Latin American literature is famous for “magical realism” and… read more "Medium Contacts Nonexistent Brother"
Santa Visits the Hospital
Since Val has broken the ice, I thought I would offer some more Christmas humor. The following is a Narrative Summary (a report of a hospitalization) that was circulated at the Plattsburgh Air Force hospital where I worked in 1986. I published it in my memoirs, Women Aren’t Supposed to… read more "Santa Visits the Hospital"
CAM Scam
Book review of: Suckers: How Alternative Medicine Makes Fools of Us All, by Rose Shapiro. London: Harvill Secker, 2008. 296 pages. £12.99. ISBN: 978-1-846-55028-7/ Political correctness has emasculated our language. We walk on linguistic tiptoes for fear of offending someone. British journalist Rose Shapiro refuses to be cowed. With refreshing… read more "CAM Scam"
Teaching Pigs to Sing: An Experiment in Bringing Critical Thinking to the Masses
A skeptic encounters psychics, astrologers, and other strange creatures and discovers firsthand how they react to science and reason. Included: a fable about testing the Tooth Fairy. A couple of years ago, I saw an announcement for an astrology presentation to a local discussion group called Mingling of the Minds.… read more "Teaching Pigs to Sing: An Experiment in Bringing Critical Thinking to the Masses"
Krispy Kreme Kure, or A Doughnut a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
A KK store opened on June 24th in Tacoma, and people started lining up 12 hours before the 5:30 a.m. opening, with sleeping bags and “the enthusiasm usually reserved for a ‘Star Wars’ film, Oprah or a rock concert.” At midmorning, people were still waiting an hour in line to… read more "Krispy Kreme Kure, or A Doughnut a Day Keeps the Doctor Away"
Coffee Enemas – A “Latte” Nonsense
I started out to write a serious review of coffee enemas. But how can you take a subject like that seriously? As I reviewed related websites, I kept falling off my chair and writhing on the floor in paroxysms of laughter. Without any supporting evidence, different parts of the colon… read more "Coffee Enemas – A “Latte” Nonsense"