A little about the man:

Tim Minchin is an Australian, musician, actor, comedian and writer. He has been performing his unique brand of musical comedy in front of appropriately excitable and ever growing audiences since starting out in South Melbourne’s Butterfly Club in 2005. He won the Director’s Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for his break-out show Darkside, and followed this later the same year with one of the most successful debut acts ever at the Edinburgh Fringe – winning the Perrier Award for Best Newcomer. Without wanting to go on and on about it, he’s done some pretty successful live shows since then, often in Australia or the UK, but also on the North American continent (yes that includes you too Canada). But not you Guatemala. Maybe one day.

His current songs span topics such as environmentalism, rationalism, prejudice(ism) and his amour de boobs(ism). In fact it would hardly be over the top to say that his love of boobs would be up there in the back of Plato’s cave in the bit that’s carved out for the most perfect and complete example of the love of boobs. But not in a weird way. During his shows he plays the piano, always nicely and oftentimes wildly and excitingly, whilst looking wonderfully athletic, in a pair of delightfully uncomfortable skinny jeans.

You can get an idea of his act here:

I grew up on fairy tales and fantasy stories and perhaps because of that I always found the idea of belief in fairies a bit ridiculous.  They were always framed as fiction, tales for children, for entertainment purposes only.  Yet in the 1920’s the Cottingley Fairies affair showed that even 20th century adults were still open to the idea of fairies in the garden.  But the fairy tales of Europe are not all stories of happy dancing little people who have fun. Many tell of mischevious, malevolent entities who could be blamed for any number of problems around the home and farm.

Spring dried up? Could be nixies.  Noises in the walls?  Pixies.  Eggs gone bad? Brownies.  And so on.  But the worst thing of all was that fairies (or the fair folk) could steal children and replace them with their own fay-child.  These replaced children were called “changelings” and until a couple of weeks ago I thought this was yet another strange but harmless story of fairy-tale weirdness like Rumplestillskin or the witch from Hansel and Grettel. ¹

A changeling baby

The most common version of the legend is that a family discovers their child suddenly starts behaving oddly so they ask around for advice.  Finally they’re told to do something very unusual – like make stew in an egg or brew beer in an egg.  Upon seeing the  parent doing this peculiar thing, the changeling says, “I am as old  / As Bohemian gold / But I have never seen such brewing.”  And then, having given itself away as a changeling the fairies, little people, or in some versions Satan, will come and restore the real child.

What changed my understanding of the legend of the changeling was the discovery that they were real.

No, seriously.
Look, no less an authority than Martin Luther (this is the protestant reformer, not the villain from Superman) encountered a changeling during his travels.  Read this astonishing account from his Werke, kritische Gesamtausgabe: Tischreden .

Eight years ago [in the year 1532] at Dessau, I, Dr. Martin Luther, saw and touched a changeling. It was twelve years old, and from its eyes and the fact that it had all of its senses, one could have thought that it was a real child. It did nothing but eat; in fact, it ate enough for any four peasants or threshers. It ate, shit, and pissed, and whenever someone touched it, it cried. When bad things happened in the house, it laughed and was happy; but when things went well, it cried. It had these two virtues. I said to the Princes of Anhalt: “If I were the prince or the ruler here, I would throw this child into the water–into the Molda that flows by Dessau. I would dare commit homicidium on him!” But the Elector of Saxony, who was with me at Dessau, and the Princes of Anhalt did not want to follow my advice. Therefore, I said: “Then you should have all Christians repeat the Lord’s Prayer in church that God may exorcise the devil.” They did this daily at Dessau, and the changeling child died in the following year…. Such a changeling child is only a piece of flesh, a massa carnis, because it has no soul.”
Source: Martin Luther, Werke, kritische Gesamtausgabe: Tischreden (Weimar: Böhlau, 1912-1921), v. 5, p. 9.

Oh, suddenly it isn’t a fairy story!  It is certainly a sinister tale, but upon reading this a couple of weeks ago I instantly realized that I had missed the whole point of the tale of the changeling.  These aren’t fairy tales at all – they’re superstitious minds trying to cope with discovering that their children are in some way mentally abnormal!  Going back through the many changeling tales it is easy to see that they refer to various mental and physical abnormalities.  Behavior issues, food issues, emotional problems, physical deformities, the kinds of things which would make a modern person consult their pediatrician.

It would be ridiculously presumptuous to try to use a 1500’s tale of a changeling, recounted some eight years after it took place, and try to diagnose the afflicted child’s condition.  But among the tales a common theme of a child seeming normal and then suddenly manifesting abnormalities of mind and character runs deep through them all.

How else would someone in a pre-science world explain how their beautiful child suddenly becomes alien to them?  Autism certainly wasn’t a part of their vocabulary.   And reading of Luther’s wish to kill the child has completely tarnished my naive concept of the quaint village idiot.  I now doubt many “village idiots” lived to adulthood after reading about the various cruel and potentially lethal treatments used to deal with these changeling children.

And has science really gotten the general population much farther than labeling their special-needs children as “changelings?”  The ridiculous antics of the anti-vaccination people and their belief that vaccines cause autism is just about the same in my mind.  Parents want to know why their “normal” kid suddenly stopped developing or lost skills – and autism often manifests at the same time that the vaccine schedule happens.  We’re very good at assigning causation even when it is unwarranted.

And some parents think their kids are “star-children” or “indigo kids” ² or any number of things but what they really are – human kids with developmental differences from “the norm.”

So I was wrong about changelings.  They aren’t just fairy tales.  But at least science is working on understanding the diseases and genetics and other factors that can impair, alter or misdirect development.  We now know that fairies don’t replace our kids.  We know that some kids have developmental problems.  And we know that getting vaccinations won’t cause autism.

Science and medicine don’t teleport us to modernity, but they give us a path if we’re willing to follow it.  Maybe someday science will even find some ways to help us get better communication with autistic family members?  One can hope.  But if any of those treatments involve making soup or beer in an egg shell, my next major project will be researching how to spin straw into gold.

Acknowledgements: Matt Crowley shared the Luther quote with me.  I followed up on it and found the excellent essay about changelings by D. L. Ashliman.  It is certainly worth a read and contains much more detail about this fascinating but ultimately ghastly tale of superstitious reaction to developmental issues with children.

These wristbands “work with your body’s natural inner force” and contain “ions that work with your body’s energy to give you confidence from within.” Based on my years of observation, the only ions I have seen reliably giving confidence have been ethanol ions in aqueous solution. And it’s obviously not THOSE ions helping Auburn to such a good season, so this must be something special.

I did further research, and discovered a scientific analysis of the product by its manufacturer (from Guangdong, China). Their homepage is here: http://www.hottime.cn/ but I don’t care enough to find the research page there. On the research page you learn lots of amazing things about them. It’s almost entirely a list of absurd claims for every medical and scientific scam over the last century. They make you more “stable” so you can’t be knocked over (they have pictures to explain this)!

The research page contains this exciting list:

Benefits of energy:

I knew all of this MUST be the secret of Auburn’s astounding football success this year, where the team has the chance to win more games this season than the last two seasons put together. Surely major American university bookstores and athletic departments wouldn’t be selling their name and this product without thoroughly reviewing the evidence supporting these amazing claims!

Auburn’s success is plenty of evidence for me to trust that this product delivers everything it promises! I don’t need to research any more.

Wait, I’ve got one more page open from my google search…Oh, never mind, this page has new evidence that contradicts everything above about Power Force Ion Wristbands and football success.

[Added 12/22/10] This story, about the Australian consumer watchdog group ACCC cracking down on Power Balance bracelets seems relevant, though the company uses a different name. The product looks identical.

Ms. Information began by stating that her objective was to provide balanced information about vaccines.  At first she presented things objectively, but this deteriorated into the usual abyss of lies, misinformation, and partial information. She said that Americans have the sickest kids in the world. I got the impression that she considers asthma and food allergies to be worse than malaria or yellow fever. She feels that diseases like the measles and whooping cough are childhood rites of passage. That is easy to say for someone who has access to good healthcare, but what about the ones who don’t and then suffer complications form these preventable illnesses? Although she did not overtly recommend that parents not vaccinate, it was certainly heavily implied. Her recommendation not to vaccinate until they’re 5 became don’t vaccinate until they’re 13 at which time it’s too late to prevent the spread of most childhood diseases.  Although she never actually said “don’t vaccinate” she did show show two YouTube videos by Barbara Loe Fisher, head of the National Vaccine Injury Corporation (NVIC) and an all around big fat liar. Ms Fisher was not as delicate about the issue. She was very clear about not getting your children vaccinated…ever. She took special issue with the H1N1 vaccine and Gardasil, saying that the H1N1 vaccine was not safe because of…you guessed it, Thimerosal. I think these videos were included so the clinic could not be accused of advising parents not to vaccinate, and could, therefore, be absolved of any responsibility. Of course, there was the obligatory mention of Big Pharma and government conspiracy which I find highly amusing since Wakefield was found to have been paid about a million dollars by lawyers suing a vaccine manufacturer.

Some people do suffer side effects from vaccines and she gave a list of 8 things that parents should look for such as high fever, seizures, and listlessness. She also advocates parents being educated about the vaccines and I agree, parents should be educated, but there is a difference between being educated and being lied to. She thinks parents should have the right not to get their children vaccinated. Well, I would like the right not to get sick. There are babies too young to get vaccines and people (like me) who have compromised immune systems who depend on herd immunity to protect us.

I found it ironic that at the end of her talk she mentioned the need for good science. I could not agree more. It’s just that when they do get good science, it’s not the right science for them.

An autism diagnosis can be devastating to a parent and I understand the need to find a reason for the disease and a cure. Unfortunately, autism is complicated, and there are no easy answers. I think people have mistakenly gotten the idea that science should give definitive answers to all our medical problems, and if it can’t then they move on to other less reliable and unproven treatments. As skeptics, one of the best things we can do is to educate people about what science is, how it works, and what its limits are. By doing this we might be able to avoid the influences of the Wakefields of the world.

If you want a very good read about how the anti-vax movement got started, I strongly recommend Paul Offit‘s book Autism’s False Prophets.

The problem is that when it comes to pseudoscience and woo they are woefully inadequate.  I’ve been forced to listen to those damn Atlanta Ghost Hunters too many times.  Now, their latest golden calf is this weight loss supplement called Healthe’ trim.  They have numerous commercials throughout the day with Bert Weiss, the namesake of the show, giving his testimonial of how effective this supplement is, followed with testimonies of actual users.

My inner voice stewed, “These commercials are so annoying! This is CRAP!”  I turned on the radio today and listened to the creator use Bert show airtime to hawk this junk.  In response I sent this email:

Let’s start with the ingredients, shall we?

1. Hoodia gordonii – This supplement has no scientific evidence to support that it does what it says it does.  This doesn’t mean that this doesn’t work; the problem is that people are ingesting this because of claims of appetite suppression with no proof of efficacy or of its safety or side effects.
2. Green Tea Leaf Extract – There is some evidence on this herb, and while it hasn’t been proven in a large and carefully controlled study, there is enough preliminary evidence to suggest that this is some good stuff.  No real problems here; my only gripe is that if this stuff is so good, why don’t manufacturers get some money together and run a large study?  If it’s as good as they say it is, wouldn’t this be the slam dunk they need?
3. Caralluma Fimbriata – Once again, there is no scientific evidence to of the efficacy of this ingredient.
4. Coix seed – I couldn’t find anything about Coix seed relating to weight loss, except that it is used as a diuretic and that in large enough doses, it can cause dehydration.
5. Poria Cocos – Again, here is an herb that has some promise but is lacking in scientific literature. If it’s so beneficial, why not study it? It is used in traditional Chinese medicine and one of the uses listed is as a diuretic.
6. Cassia Seed – Yet again, no scientific literature but I did find two things of interest: first, Cassia is not a species but a genus meaning it describes hundreds of different species. So what exactly is someone ingesting with this drug?  Since the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act in 1992, the supplement companies have not had to disclose what is actually in their product, nor to supply evidence for the efficacy of their product.  The most notable fiasco was “Boom,” a sexual stimulant that was marketed as all natural, but was spiked with Viagra. Since the company didn’t have to disclose what they were putting into it, the deception went unnoticed until people with high blood pressure and heart problems started going to the hospital.  Second, the references in traditional Chinese medicine say that cassia seed is used to “loosen the bowels” to relieve constipation but mentions nothing about weight loss. What is the purpose of this ingredient in this supplement?
7. Lotus Leaf – The company claims an antioxidant effect but what exactly is an antioxidant effect?  Is it an antioxidant or not?  How can it be not an antioxidant but still have the effect of an antioxidant?  Plus, it fights wrinkles?  Really?  Come on.
8. Water Plantain – Again, little to no evidence for efficacy or safety; nothing mentioning that it is for weight loss and no proof that it is safe for consumption.
9. Cumquat – this is a fruit, not a supplement. We might as well offer vegetables in pill form.
10. Methionine – this is an essential acid and as such we need to ingest it or proteins containing it. But if you eat fish, poultry, pork, or dairy, you will easily exceed your recommended daily amount.
11. Mullberry Leaf – It says it protects blood cell membranes but from what exactly?  While there is some merit for further study, the research is mainly in the area of diabetes. So if it works for anything, it would be diabetes and the regulation of blood sugar. There’s a warning label on this, right?  I mean we don’t want diabetics to take this for weight loss and end up screwing up their blood sugar, would we?
12. Gymnema Sylvestre – This ingredient actually has some merit but again, only for diabetes. It is being studied and it seems to reduce blood sugar levels and actually inhibits the tasting of sugar in the mouth!  For about fifteen minutes.  Hey, that diabetic warning is on the label, right? Seems like it would be almost unethical not to have it!
13. Eleutherococcus Senticosus – More commonly known as “Siberian Ginseng,” this ingredient has had many studies done but all have been inconclusive. In addition, Siberian Ginseng has many known drug interactions which can neutralize proscribed medications or add to the effect of medications which once again brings us to the warning label, or lack thereof! So why change the name from Siberain Ginsent to Elethrococcus Senticosus?  Is it to hide something?   Because we don’t actually want people to think about what they’re taking or be forewarned of possible side effects, that kinda cuts into the profits.
14. Pyruvate – This is probably the biggest pile of baloney in the whole thing. The studies supporting these claims are only preliminary, and have not been reproduced by any independent labs. In addition, the doses used in research are orders of magnitude higher than what is marketed today.
15. Trace Minerals – The reason they are trace minerals is because the body doesn’t need them.  If they were needed, the levels found in the body would be higher. You can get enough of these by eating a well balanced diet.
16. Chromium Picolinate – Another ingredient that has not been shown to have any benefits at all.
17. Reseveratrol – This stuff is legitimately exciting stuff and studies are being conducted right now. Really this is good stuff!  The problem is that the most efficient way of absorbing it is not orally but buccally or by holding it in the mouth.  When swallowed, up to 70% of the reservatrol is broken down and very little actually makes it into the bloodstream.  You take healte trim by swallowing it, right?

So what you have here is a product filled with unproven ingredients, useless ingredients, diuretics, laxatives, stimulants, and ingredients that could have negative reactions with prescribed drugs.  So why should I pay money for this?  You said it yourself, the best thing to do is to get in the gym, learn to exercise and learn to eat.  Although we’re all looking for the Pill that will save us the effort, the reality is that we’re a long way from that and it’s not worth throwing your money away on supplements that are useless at best, dangerous at worst.

Then there is the FAQ:

What are trace minerals?

Minerals are the catalysts that support enzyme function, protein, digestion, metabolism cellular electrolyte impulses, and billions of chemical reactions that keep the body functioning properly. Minerals initiate, regulate and control every organ and function in our bodies

Never mind the fact that you get these if you eat a well balanced meal, or even fortified foods.

Can I take the product while taking other medications?
Our experience has been that taking Heathe Trim with other medications has not been a problem, but you should always check with your physician first to answer any of your concerns

Well! Isn’t that convenient? You load the product up with herbs that have known drug interactions and forget to mention them, then tag on “Check with your physician.” Is this laziness, incompetence or intellectual dishonesty?

Is the product FDA approved?

Under DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act) our products do not need approval from the FDA. However, all of our ingredients are classified as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe).

The GRAS rating is based on the use of the substance rather than the substance itself, meaning that it takes into account estimates of (from the FDA website):

“taking into account the characteristics of the substance, the estimated dietary intake under the intended conditions of use, and the population that will consume the substance”

I read this as saying that the best guess is that this stuff probably won’t cause harm; that doesn’t mean it certainnly won’t.

I’m sure that many people are taking this pill and reaping the benefits of the energy boosts that come with the caffeine but do you really want to pay $55 for a caffeine boost?  I’m surprised that a supplement chock full of diuretics and caffeine haven’t caused people more problems. I wonder what the summer will bring?  All the research in weight loss points to this simple dynamic, calories in vs. calories out.

No wonder drug has come along that will solve the weight loss problem. In this case, save the $55 and buy some more coffee, leave the cream and sugar out and drink it about 45 minutes before a workout.

There are two stated reasons for this extra fine: the first is that Georgia lawmakers want to reduce the amount of speeding in the state. If you’ve ever been on any part of I-285 you know what I’m talking about; it’s a frakking racetrack. The second reason stated that this extra money will go fund trauma centers, but (fine print) the legislature can do whatever they want with it.

I don’t want to talk about Georgia politics, (but I will if given half a chance); instead I want to focus on the idea that higher fines will decrease speeding. Surely, other states have tried this approach. There should be a mountain of data out there confirming or unconfirming this idea. Can we move this from an idea to a testable hypothesis?

First:

• The data has shown that police presence does nothing to deter speeding outside of the immediate area.
• Automatic systems for red light enforcement and speed enforcement don’t generate self-sustaining revenue, meaning that they are a victim of their own success. They do their job so well at deterring drivers from running lights and speeding that the city is unable to cover the costs and require subsidies; the only other option is the discontinuation of the program
• Speed monitoring displays that show a driver’s current speed have been shown to reduce speeds, but this is not feasible for a highway.
• A number of overseas studies DO find that increased fines and the threat of losing a license ARE effective, but the fact that the number of licensed US drivers is many times that of most studied countries muddies the waters.
• Signs noting the threat of double fines at construction sites has increased awareness and decreased speeding, but only by a third.

While there is no direct evidence that points to whether or not higher fines do deter speeding, we may be able to infer some conclusions from a number of other psychological studies on deterrence by increased penalties. Georgia lawmakers are hoping that the fear of punishment will deter illegal behavior in potential offenders. Is this borne out in the research?

The short answer is that we just don’t know for sure; we know that a deterrence effect does exist but its significance and magnitude have been difficult to measure. What it boils down to is that lawmakers want to penalize unsafe driving. If this is all this is, then I suppose I can’t complain. But if this is being billed as a method of saving lives, it will fall flat on its face. The only real ways to reduce speeding, and ergo traffic deaths, is to either step up enforcement or find a way to get drivers off of the road. Maybe the legislature could spend that money on a better mass transit system?

I mean its 2010, why can’t we teleport? Or should we wait five years for hoverboards and flying cars?

Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need roads!