tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post5089207891551702386..comments2024-03-19T20:31:23.141-05:00Comments on The Chuck Cowdery Blog: "That Next Drink May Kill You" And Other StoriesChuck Cowderyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191121480961526039noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-49394380304419799012018-10-02T16:45:55.403-05:002018-10-02T16:45:55.403-05:00acknowledging your own bias in writing this would ...acknowledging your own bias in writing this would go a long way in making this rebuttal even better (it's strong as is 0 but acknowledging your potential bias as your income is somewhat tied to alcohol would be prudent) IMO.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-41884906951515628792018-09-13T18:42:42.701-05:002018-09-13T18:42:42.701-05:00This reminds me of the great Terence McKenna quote...This reminds me of the great Terence McKenna quote:<br />If the word, 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' don't include the right to experiment with your own consciousness, then the Declaration of Independence isn't worth the hemp it was written on.<br /><br />I couldn't agree more.Jamie W Dunnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-47541883395328846112018-09-03T09:40:04.869-05:002018-09-03T09:40:04.869-05:00Figures lie and liars figure. Figures lie and liars figure. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-3816053403084358292018-08-30T22:27:32.395-05:002018-08-30T22:27:32.395-05:00I'm not a scientist but I am educated and unde...I'm not a scientist but I am educated and understand basic scientific method and logic. As you observe,the authors of this study draw conclusions that are in no way supported by the data. Here is another excellent piece of reporting on this "study" https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/8/29/17790118/alcohol-lancet-health-study Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-7600833536280313782018-08-29T23:17:05.450-05:002018-08-29T23:17:05.450-05:00I seem to recall, maybe somewhat inaccurately, tha...I seem to recall, maybe somewhat inaccurately, that the study also found that being alive itself was a primary risk factor for mortality. Wow, how can that be? Duh. <br />Its all about the sensational headline,just to make people read it (and absorb whatever advertising goes with it- apologies Chuck). tmsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-51096133217359938682018-08-28T10:52:00.284-05:002018-08-28T10:52:00.284-05:00I saw that story when it came out and I thought: &...I saw that story when it came out and I thought: "Uh-oh, can't wait to see Chuck's take on this 'study'. Looks like a clear case of confirmation bias to me (the study, not Chuck).Donald Sinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01695165212558515046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-48860174297904188472018-08-27T21:38:20.184-05:002018-08-27T21:38:20.184-05:00Michael, well put. I'm a life-long research gu...Michael, well put. I'm a life-long research guy and spent 20+ years of it in TV/media work. I can assure you, most of the writers/producers/etc have no idea what is good research. The only thing that really matters is if they have some reputable source to which to attribute the results/interpretation. The boom in Internet research ("polls" on website forums, for example) makes thing worse, as it get treated with the same respect as a series of double-blind studies published in a respected research journal.<br /><br />I treat all news concerning research on anything with a skeptical eye. Funny thing though. Whenever I read of a study that shows moderate alcohol consumption has some health benefit, I tend to think "That makes sense!" Call me a hypocrite. Brian (AKA The Dean)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15072638994343667673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-50918151123618154192018-08-26T23:07:18.138-05:002018-08-26T23:07:18.138-05:00Nicely reported and interpreted, sir!Nicely reported and interpreted, sir!Sam Komlenicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-20057602590189806472018-08-25T19:57:55.926-05:002018-08-25T19:57:55.926-05:00Seems to me we entered into a grand experiment onc...Seems to me we entered into a grand experiment once upon a time to use taxes and prohibitions to curtail and extinguish the evils of demon rum (and its relatives). I don't recall how that turned out. Anybody?<br /><br />I try to adhere to the "All things in moderation" approach. Bourbon, good brisket, and chocolate ice cream notwithstanding.Harry in WashDCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-90118282940101884662018-08-25T15:30:42.191-05:002018-08-25T15:30:42.191-05:00Michael Williams, my sister is a public health pro...Michael Williams, my sister is a public health professor and researcher, and I get in trouble if I criticize research the wrong way. Chuck Cowderyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12191121480961526039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-86273361598032560732018-08-25T09:29:26.722-05:002018-08-25T09:29:26.722-05:00The "Nannies" are at it again. ...Tel...The "Nannies" are at it again. ...Telling what to do, what not to do, when and when not, and how to decide. Thank goodness we have 'em looking our for us, eh? Otherwise, we may never know for sure how to live our lives.Richard Turnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-79799159854671189172018-08-25T04:26:17.546-05:002018-08-25T04:26:17.546-05:00Great read Chuck. As a scientist, who performs hum...Great read Chuck. As a scientist, who performs human studies, I hate it when a group over interprets their data, and I really hate it when the media runs with a story they don't understand, which, when it comes to science, is often. I agree with your interpretation of the paper. They start with the wrong hypothesis. They really start with "Alcohol may reduce quality of life", based on their benefactors. The correct hypothesis would be "Quality of life may be influenced by alcohol consumption". This is not biased, it does not prejudge whether consumption is good or bad, just that it may influence quality. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12603659557653673486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-61775892869289265192018-08-24T20:28:55.416-05:002018-08-24T20:28:55.416-05:00Reminds me of a study a few years back with the he...Reminds me of a study a few years back with the headline " Diet Soda Causes Weight Gain" even though if logic is applied directly, diet soda with zero calories cannot cause weight gain. But, as always, it's all about the headline.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com