tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125653241615635488.post1608853071043509338..comments2024-01-18T20:42:30.221+00:00Comments on Thinking to some purpose: Beer isn't cheaper than waterWill Haydockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00623145846257433457noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125653241615635488.post-41360547173546060172014-07-15T02:47:19.472+01:002014-07-15T02:47:19.472+01:00But nobody contradicts the absurd claim in any way...But nobody contradicts the absurd claim in any way that the media will actually notice it. So the public are none the wiser.<br /><br />I think it was Stanton Peele who once said that alcohol and drug researchers/advocates can get away with any overblown claim about drugs or alcohol without fear of being publicly contradicted by another expert. <br /><br />Perhaps its the motivation of the Noble Lie at work?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125653241615635488.post-23586788790358683182014-07-05T12:19:10.149+01:002014-07-05T12:19:10.149+01:00To be fair, plenty of people in the field do take ...To be fair, plenty of people in the field do take a stand against this kind of comparison, as certainly choose not to use it themselves - e.g. the Sheffiled research group: https://twitter.com/JHolmesSheff/status/483519194445905920<br /><br />I don't think the use of the comparison, though, is calculating in the way you think. I think it's as simple as an attempt to get coverage for a story they think is of genuine value - and it works as a hook for newspapers across the political spectrum, so the comms people would feel that's job done.<br /><br />As I was boring someone at work about yesterday, though, it would be nice if comms efforts were genuinely about communication and improving the quality of debate, rather than simply spinning in order to get things done. This really is the Stebbing point that we should treat each other like intelligent human beings capable of reasonable debate.Will Haydockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00623145846257433457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125653241615635488.post-70932228898490490182014-07-03T00:00:49.886+01:002014-07-03T00:00:49.886+01:00Dear Will,
If only leading public health academic...Dear Will,<br /><br />If only leading public health academics would publicly call 'bullshit' on this ridiculous comparison, it would soon stop being used. But they don’t because it doesn’t suit their purpose. <br /><br />Could their silence be is support of demonstrating the need for more alcohol research grants? Could it be the academics in the field don’t want to be seen to be less than 100% committed to the cause, or to embarrass the leading alcohol advocates? <br /><br />I leave it to you to decide what their purpose could be in remaining silent on such a stupid argument. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com