tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817437838059427836.post2578051333413590792..comments2023-04-16T05:33:22.101-04:00Comments on My DVM Vacation: Frustrated.Julie Ladahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08377742107716763623noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817437838059427836.post-61912222070847100672012-02-14T19:48:23.439-04:002012-02-14T19:48:23.439-04:00They can't be avoided, unfortunately. I won...They can't be avoided, unfortunately. I won't name names just because I don't want to get in trouble with the university and because it really won't do any good since you've got to take their classes, anyway. One of them, however, in a lecture on neuroanatomy said regarding acupuncture, "And for all those skeptics, we have studies to back up our claims." And the word skeptics was uttered with all of the snide condescension you can imagine.Julie Ladahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08377742107716763623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817437838059427836.post-17874414000226382012012-02-14T11:19:43.412-04:002012-02-14T11:19:43.412-04:00Can you give the name of the professors who purpor...Can you give the name of the professors who purport acupuncture? Do they teach requisite classes? I'm wondering if they might be avoided somehow...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817437838059427836.post-11632038151948066092011-12-11T13:58:29.793-04:002011-12-11T13:58:29.793-04:00I am fighting the good fight on Facebook after som...I am fighting the good fight on Facebook after someone posted this: <a href=">http://www.thedogplace.org/VACCINES/Vaccinosis-Death_Staff-1112.asp</a><br /><br />The original poster now claims that she only wanted us to see the video, which is even worse. The "doctor" on the video sounds so authoritative you'd never expect that what she says could kill your pet.<br /><br />I'll be posting the links posted here. Thanks for the ammo, guysLadyAtheisthttp://ladyatheist.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817437838059427836.post-71820304735831646742011-11-28T11:54:15.198-04:002011-11-28T11:54:15.198-04:00You might like this :)
http://sci-ence.org/the-gh...You might like this :)<br /><br />http://sci-ence.org/the-ghosts-of-woo-part-two/Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07870865628069659120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817437838059427836.post-17554025529028600122011-11-26T12:14:10.485-04:002011-11-26T12:14:10.485-04:00Me too! I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Novella ...Me too! I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Novella and Dr. Gorski at TAM8 last year. I think I actually made Dr. Gorski uncomfortable at the Skepchick party. I wasn't wearing much and was carrying around a riding crop...Julie Ladahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08377742107716763623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817437838059427836.post-52522801627875755532011-11-22T07:54:10.169-04:002011-11-22T07:54:10.169-04:00Haha, I LOVE SBM -I've been hooked on that one...Haha, I LOVE SBM -I've been hooked on that one for awhile now :). If only more folks were...<br /><br />Enjoy your potluck!Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07870865628069659120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817437838059427836.post-748732267011195902011-11-21T20:30:07.167-04:002011-11-21T20:30:07.167-04:00@Lori: I'm familiar with Dr. McKenzie's bl...@Lori: I'm familiar with Dr. McKenzie's blog. I've actually linked to him several times and has some lively email exchanges with him. He also writes for one of my favorite co-authored blogs, sciencebasedmedicine.org. You should definitely check it out if you're still having doubts about CAM (fair warning, they don't wear kid gloves with CAM and alt med over there).<br /><br />This Thanksgiving should actually be really fun. My friends and I are getting together for a potluck with all the regular Thanksgiving staples. Thanks for reading!Julie Ladahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08377742107716763623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817437838059427836.post-35763233685416300312011-11-21T20:00:34.634-04:002011-11-21T20:00:34.634-04:00Regarding the woo medicine, here is a blog you mig...Regarding the woo medicine, here is a blog you might like: http://skeptvet.com/Blog/<br /><br />I myself am torn about wanting to learn more about it because so many clients are going to ask, and thinking, uh, no! I am planning my clinical year now and still trying to decide whether I want to spend some time in a CAM-oriented practice.<br /><br />Have a nice Thanksgiving - that is a hard one to be away from home for since it is so quintessentially American and family-oriented. And good luck on finals!Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07870865628069659120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817437838059427836.post-58747196437709303032011-11-18T17:52:04.407-04:002011-11-18T17:52:04.407-04:00Re: the visibility of an argument online, I should...Re: the visibility of an argument online, I should have kept that in mind and been more diplomatic. But honestly, I was just so angry that all but the slightest tangible hold on diplomacy flew out the window. I think it's because I hold vet students to a higher standard and expect them to be more rational/compassionate/etc. than they often are and it's just terribly disappointing and infuriating when they don't live up to expectations.Julie Ladahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08377742107716763623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817437838059427836.post-55867955044289479862011-11-18T14:03:40.456-04:002011-11-18T14:03:40.456-04:00Julie - I completely understand. I switch betwee...Julie - I completely understand. I switch between accomodationist and firebrand depending on my mood, how tired I am, how irritating the particular person is. You'll run into all types, and I think that more practice with fellow students will teach you to deal with many different types of people (besides internet crazies). It will make you a stronger person, even if it is exhausting and frustrating. <br /><br />Remember that when arguing a True Believer, particularly on the internet, there are always people watching and evaluating your arguments, the debate watchers. While you'll never be able to convince a True Believer, you may be able to successfully reduce them to things like "well, I've seen dominance work," and seed doubt into the minds of others following along. That, along with well-placed resources, can change the minds of others. <br /><br />Also, I should add: at one point a few years ago, I was a big fan of Cesar Milan and True Believer of dominance theory. I made an off-hand comment about it to a good friend who was in vet school about it, and she basically said the same type of things that you did to this person. I scoffed, but that prompted me to investigate, which eventually converted me to positive reinforcement training. I now use almost no positive punishment (aiming for zero use). So even if you think it's a waste of time on someone, having a respectful exchange can be the starting crack that will break the dam. It took me awhile, but I eventually convinced myself.<br /><br />It sounds from your description that you did an excellent job. Remember that minds, like large doors, open slowly and sometimes require constant pressure. You have my admiration for trying to do the right thing!Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10965673932375250602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817437838059427836.post-1871266597775319132011-11-18T06:42:31.771-04:002011-11-18T06:42:31.771-04:00@Lindsay: Oh, this is hardly the first time I'...@Lindsay: Oh, this is hardly the first time I've gotten into a debate like this. I belonged to a secular non-theist club for 4 years of undergrad and we engaged with a lot of believers. Between that and a lot of public speaking, I've gotten pretty good at determining what sort of buzzwords, arguments and demeanor suggests a certain type of person and how they'll approach the debate.<br /><br />In this case, I got a True Believer. Someone who has already reached a conclusion and will work backwards to attempt to prove it. Nothing I put forward was going to change her mind. What couldn't be rationalized away would be attributed to a difference of "opinion." I lost my temper with her, but in this particular case, it wouldn't have mattered if I didn't.<br /><br />Not saying I'm the most diplomatic person for the job. I am assertive and in the atheist movement we had a big hoopla awhile back over "accomodationists" vs. "firebrands." I am most certainly the latter. I think both are necessary. Some people will respond to gentle probing and being led toward the right answers, and some will respond to having their worldview abruptly drawn into question. Some people will respond to both at different moments (I fall into that category - I changed my mind on abortion from having a group of friends basically call me a bigoted idiot, but didn't respond well to criticism on raw diets but rather came around after some gentle suggestions that I wasn't being completely rational).<br /><br />That said, while I am always game for an opportunity to engage with people who have different beliefs, it can be exhausting when you don't have anyone else in your corner. And the topic of alt med in vet med is one that is so widely accepted and unquestioned that even my rational, intelligent friends who generally reject all other forms of magical thinking make excuses for alt med. It's tiring and sometimes I just don't want to even bother.Julie Ladahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08377742107716763623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817437838059427836.post-22461581351391746792011-11-18T00:34:20.716-04:002011-11-18T00:34:20.716-04:00I went to a voodoo vet thinking that she was addin...I went to a voodoo vet thinking that she was adding to her knowledge of veterinary medicine, but the voodoo was in place of actual knowledge. After my dog died due to her ignorance, I found a skeptical vet. Keep fighting the good fight. The Kendras of the world need you. R.I.P. Kendra 2/7/2011, just four months after being rescued.LadyAtheisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12132821431322748921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817437838059427836.post-44647493322553387482011-11-17T22:41:40.101-04:002011-11-17T22:41:40.101-04:00I've gotten into many fights with many people ...I've gotten into many fights with many people over these things. It's good to fight the good fight, but I think it can be most effective if you do it correctly. <br /><br />You are actually in a lucky spot because you are surrounded by people who believe some wacky stuff. This means lots of chances to learn what tactics work and which don't. I relish the opportunity to practice on people who believe wacky things, because it gives me awesome feedback on how effective my communication style is. <br /><br />It might be a little lonely, but you'll avoid the trap that a lot of people have of entering an echo chamber of like-minded people. These people generally never learn how to effectively communicate with people who disagree and never learn how to change minds. <br /><br />Try and make mistakes. Learning opportunities abound! :)Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10965673932375250602noreply@blogger.com