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Could It Be…?


Check out Newsweek, June 8th, 2009 edition. Talk show hostess Oprah is on the cover; article about her on page 54. The slant? Crazy talk with Opie, taking her to task for promoting wacky cures. (Online version here.)

For example, 62-year-old actress Suzanne Somers was on the Oprah show one time, talking up estrogen products: cream on her arms, a shot into her vagina. She also swallows a lot of other stuff, like 60 vitamins and other preparations daily.

Why? To stay healthy and live long. The goal: to see her 110th birthday.

So let’s say that Suzanne does live to see one century plus a decade. That would really p.o. the skeptics. But if she makes that goal, what could be the explanation? Among the possibilities:

1.] She was born with good genes, had access to good traditional health care, and all the extra “wacky” stuff didn’t make that much difference.

2.] Her genes were average but the “wacky” additions were very beneficial.

3. ] Good genes, health care and the wackiness worked together to allow her to live to be 110.

But could there be another explanation?

How about a transdimensional prankster who bestows a bit of magic that trumps science? The Chaos Purple Elephant who likes to thumb the collective nose of skeptics. Invisible, intangible, he’s beyond the reach of science. Beyond disproof.

Hey, just as sensible as a syringe of estrogen injected into a vagina.

Comments

Doug said…
Not to bring this all down to a lascivious level--okay, entirely to do so--but I imagine the syringe in the vagina is for more than merely rejuvenation.

Just sayin'.

p.s. Digging the new template. I'm now feeling like my site is looking old...
3:10 AM
Ray Palm (Ray X) said…
The only thing is the new template seems to have messed up my Google Analytics stats. I had to reinstall the widget. Two weeks and NO hits - 0?

As for the lascivious level, may I remind you that Suzanne Somers hawks an exercise product called ThighMaster, a spring-loaded device that she would demonstrate on TV, fitting it between her knees and squeezing away. I always wondered if the ThighMaster was available for women with a special attachment.

Just speculatin'.

Ray
3:05 AM
X. Dell said…
Wow, I thought I had already commented on this post.

(1) There are some places syringes shouldn't go.

(2) I actually think that the wacky stuff could have a positive effect. There's been considerable research done on the placebo effect. It would seem to have tangible health benefits. If someone actually believes that something will work, they might just convince themselves that it did work.

Well, that and good genes, excercise, diet n healthcare, etc....
8:55 AM
Ray Palm (Ray X) said…
X. Dell:

(1) I could be wrong but can't a syringe be used without a needle, just a way of pushing some glop into an orifice?

(2) I won't argue the benefits of the placebo effect - when it works. When it fails and someone tries to argue that the placebo wasn't one, I have a problem.

I also have a problem when someone tries to force any sort of placebo - like religion - on me.

Ray
5:21 AM
X. Dell said…
(1) I suppose you're right.

(2) Agreed.
11:51 AM
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