RESPECTFUL INSOLENCE

"A statement of fact cannot be insolent." The miscellaneous ramblings of a surgeon/scientist on medicine, quackery, science, and pseudoscience (and anything else that interests him).

Blogging Medicine

Am I an old blogger?

Post author By Orac
Post date June 27, 2007

It was with sadness that I saw fellow medical blogger Dr. Charles’ announcement that he is taking a break (“perhaps a long break,” as he puts it) from blogging. He points out that he’s been at it for almost three years.

My first thought was that I was sad to see him go and hope that he eventually finds his way back to the blogosphere.

My second thought was: Geez, in blogosphere time, I’ve been at this a long time now.

I started blogging in December 2004, which means that I’m rapidly approaching three years at it. Dr. Charles was actually one of the first bunch of medical blogs that I discovered around the same time and one of my influences early on. I soon discovered that his style was not my style as I honed my own voice. He excels at describing patient encounters and waxing lyrical. I excel more at applying skepticism and, yes, Respectful Insolenceâ¢ to targets deserving of it, although I like to think I can also do halfway decent patient-oriented posts from time to time. Still, Dr. Charles is one of the best, and his presence will be missed.

His hopefully temporary departure also leaves me with the somewhat uncomfortable realization that I’m rapidly becoming an elder statesmen (well, elder anyway) among medical bloggers.

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By Orac

Orac is the nom de blog of a humble surgeon/scientist who has an ego just big enough to delude himself that someone, somewhere might actually give a rodent's posterior about his copious verbal meanderings, but just barely small enough to admit to himself that few probably will. That surgeon is otherwise known as David Gorski.

That this particular surgeon has chosen his nom de blog based on a rather cranky and arrogant computer shaped like a clear box of blinking lights that he originally encountered when he became a fan of a 35 year old British SF television show whose special effects were renowned for their BBC/Doctor Who-style low budget look, but whose stories nonetheless resulted in some of the best, most innovative science fiction ever televised, should tell you nearly all that you need to know about Orac. (That, and the length of the preceding sentence.)

DISCLAIMER:: The various written meanderings here are the opinions of Orac and Orac alone, written on his own time. They should never be construed as representing the opinions of any other person or entity, especially Orac's cancer center, department of surgery, medical school, or university. Also note that Orac is nonpartisan; he is more than willing to criticize the statements of anyone, regardless of of political leanings, if that anyone advocates pseudoscience or quackery. Finally, medical commentary is not to be construed in any way as medical advice.

To contact Orac: [email protected]