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]
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16 replies on “Off to TAM…”
Enjoy your time there! I’d say hi, but can’t make it out, though I intend to attend a TAM one of these years. If you bump into Dr. Rachie, say hi for me. Met her at a SitP in Boston.
I’m jealous — budgetary realities restrict travel. Next year….
Hi. My name is Dawn. You may remember me….(runs off cackling evilly…).
Unfortunately, I’ll be at work instead of TAM8. One day!
Dang it. I hate it when I have to sign in to comment on Pharyngula and it uses that for all the Sciblogs.
Meant to add, too: No TAM8 but I’ll be in the home area next month. Maybe we can meet for a drink.
Dawn (MI Dawn)
See you there.
I am in the airport waiting for Polite Scott right now. I am just about back on western hemisphere time now. See you there.
Please leave Science Blogs at once.
The brand is irreversibly corrupted. Your excellent work deserves better.
I do not believe that critical blogs can be used to make money. You have to choose between independence and cash. The whole virtue of blogs is their independence. If they lose that, they won’t get read.
Damn shame they’re not live streaming TAM this year like they did last year. The video stream last year was watched by hundreds of people, man this year promised to be even more awesome. If you get a chance please ask DJ Grothe or Randi about this oversight.
The titmice have been trapped on the tarmac at Logan Int since 6pm. No peanuts offered but we can use the BR. Collective rage at us airways may be necessary if we are not there for Dr Oracs talk.
Kthxbai
Update fRom the captain of us airways 69:
“‘The pump’ has been replaced and is fine. The warning light keeps coming on but we’re gonna ignore it. The loud noise like someone is trying to saw through the hull will go on thoughout the flight. It is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.
You need to have these things closer to Memphis, Orac, and I’d be happy to go.
You probibly should watch out for Baptists with Leather Bibles, though.
Since Orac is going to be gone, and things could be slow, let me hijack this post to throw out a funny supplement burn anecdote I heard this morning.
I was listening to Dr. Fred Feit, who is a cardiologist at NYU, on Dr Radio (satellite XM 119, Sirius 114), and he had another cardiologist on. A woman calls and says she is taking I don’t all remember what, but it was like niacin and flaxseed oil, and something else. Well, after talking to her for a while, they basically told her that given her lipid profile, those were absolutely not worth taking at all, because the known effects of those things (and they do have their uses) are not appropriate given her status. The best part was when they asked, “How’s your diet, and how much exercise do you get?”
What? Doctors asking about things like diet and exercise? I thought that doctors ignored stuff like that and only wanted to give pills? Yet, here is this woman who is taking all these supplements and the doctors tell her to STOP and exercise instead! Burn!
I just had to laugh at it.
I’m not always a fan of Fred Feit, but he comes up with some good ones. He is very adamant about supplements and evidence, and comments regularly about studies of them. One of his common themes right now is how it has been a very bad year for vitamins. Lots of studies have come out on the efficacy of vitamin supplements, and they are all coming up empty. The most recent was apparently a study of vitamin E which showed no benefits.
Oh no! This post reminded me about TAM Australia, and it’s already sold out! I forgot to buy tickets 🙁
Pablo: “What? Doctors asking about things like diet and exercise? I thought that doctors ignored stuff like that and only wanted to give pills? Yet, here is this woman who is taking all these supplements and the doctors tell her to STOP and exercise instead! Burn!”
Asking about it is one thing. Actually knowing about it and practicing it is another. Pretty much all doctors give the standard lip service about diet and exercise. But in the end they give chemicals instead. Every …single…day. Apparently not many doctors are very good change agents. In fact most are enablers.
You didn’t burn anything, Pablo.
I can totally understand why TAM is in LV, but Las Vegas _in July_? I spent 3 hrs. there at the airport in late June in ’06 or ’07 : it was 100 degrees F. at 11 pm.!!! (not that Metro NY has been exactly pleasant these past few days).
Thinking about getting tickets to TAM London. Bit pricey though…
Oh and I just read a small piece by J Mercola on HuffPo regarding sweeteners and while Im not qualified to comment on its content it did have a bit of unintentional truth:
“This is deception at its finest: begin with a shred of truth, and then spin it to fit your own agenda. ”
Yikes Joe! Remind ya of someone?