Primitives hear a "Woo", and the Woo Wars

[Dori]

The proglodytes are very predictable when it comes to their actions and reactions.  Recently I've been puzzled by many "woo" threads.  Following Dummy logic isn't always easy.  It's also not always clear what trips their rage and excitability.  Most threads turn into much poo throwing, but recently, when the poo starts flying, they cry "woo".  DUmmies also hear things like the rest of normal and civilized people can't hear, like dog whistles.  

The "Woo" wars.

Star Member IdaBriggs (7,457 posts)

"Woo Wars" - What is "Woo"? [View all]
 
I posted this in another thread, and since we have another round of "I hate woo because..." going, I thought this might help.

What is Woo? Charitably,  



"Woo" is generally anything that has not gone through rigorous scientific testing and stringent peer reviewed studies. http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024188166


I later expanded on this theme with this -



As I said, charitable definition - here on DU it is regularly used as an insulting or disparaging way to condescend, minimize, sneer, or otherwise belittle others, frequently under the guise of assuming anyone who does not hold a golden ticket to the hallowed halls of "science done correctly" is ignorant, uneducated, gullible, prone to fantasy or delusion, mentally inferior, and/or a danger to society.

"Woo" has been identified by the sacred cabal of "we're right and you're wrong so neener neener" as including such topics as nutrition (unless it is from a reputable journal, of course), vitamin and mineral supplementation, aromatherapy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, folk medicine, apple cider vinegar proponents, and anyone who insists they achieved a positive outcome without benefit of the miracle of modern medicine or pharmacology. To put forth such a view (or even talk about any of these topics without snorting at the sheep who waste their money while destroying civilization by disrespecting Real Science) is to be a proponent of "Woo" meaning you will never need to be listened to by these Good People Ever Again because if you try to convince them you know what you are talking about, you are a snake-oil salesman, if you use your own experience, it is because you don't understand why it is "anecdotal" and if you discuss someone other than yourself, it is because you don't understand how Real Science Works.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024205471


The "woo wars" are annoying. Honestly, I believe (as I have detailed in other posts) that they are simply a continuation of the "herbal midwife versus city doctor" war that has been going on for hundreds of years - the disparagement of "old wives tale" is pretty obvious.

I am a "whatever works" person; my family doesn't always eat nutritionally ideal meals so we take some basic vitamins and minerals regularly, and my premature infants were born micronutrient deficient which early intervention supplementation resolved. A lingering cough from a nasty cold seems to be resolving within a few hours of taking some "wild cherry bark syrup with echinacea." And we still took my mother-in-law to a real physician when we thought stitches were in order when she accidentally cut her finger.

I am going to continue to advocate for "woo" in my little corner of the world, and while I understand the joy of feeling superior to fools, I would personally appreciate it if the "anti-woo" would understand that, instead of strengthening their positions by insulting the reports we make, a more appropriate "scientific" response would be - "that is interesting; I wonder why that happened for you?"

The world is a magical place, and we all have a lot to learn.

Star Member SidDithers (30,626 posts)

1. Woo kills...
 
if you don't like anti-woo threads, trash 'em.

Sid

IdaBriggs (7,457 posts)

6. Woo also saves lives. Deal with it.
 
The fact the "anti-woo" folk deny the reality of what other people are reporting makes them less than credible.

I understand why pretending you are the only ones who understand the way the universe works is self-empowering, but throwing away data because it doesn't agree with your conclusions is more FAITH than SCIENCE.

  

[Maxiest]

Wooot are they talking bout?

[Dori]

Loconuts lights another "woo" fire 

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024286095

Locut0s (5,298 posts)

As a scientifically minded person. The propensity for the left to go for "woo"...

Is one of those things I disparage about the political ideology I hold so strongly to otherwise. I'm not going to argue the details of what is and isn't "woo", plenty of other threads are doing that. I'd just like to file my disappointment I sometimes feel and see how many others are with me.

As etherealtruth points out this really is a bipartisan issue. I think what I'm getting at is I'm simply more shocked at the anti scientific side on the left.

And BTW I'm not talking down to or singling out any specific belief here. I see that a lot of people seem angry in here that they feel they are being called idiots or stupid and the like. Know that that's not what I'm saying here. I simply very strongly disagree with many of those beliefs.

Now wait for the poo

pnwmom (49,413 posts)

1. Are you a scientist in real life
 
or do you just play one on DU?

and they're off to the races

Locut0s (5,298 posts)

2. Are you a politician in real life?...

Or do you just play one on DU?.

This being a political site I'm sure you have posted opinions on politics and the like. Should I say you have to be a politician to have a valid point of view on the mater?

This argument could be used for just about anything.

Why not just say I don't agree with you instead?

[Skul]

The DUmpmonkeys flinging woo has been going on for a few days now.
Hand a primitive a new fake word, and watch the fun.  Teh gNads is good for that. 

[Dori]

The DUmpmonkeys flinging woo has been going on for a few days now.
Hand a primitive a new fake word, and watch the fun.  Teh gNads is good for that. 

I did a search, and there has to be at least a couple dozen "woo" threads.   Not sure what set the whole thing off.

[JohnnyReb]

DU....woo capitol of the world.

[GOBUCKS]

Doesn't the democrat insurance plan pay for woo treatment?

I think it'll cover chiropractic, chakra adjustment, homeopathy, voodoo, acupuncture, herbalism, naturopathy, and reading chicken guts.

Maybe this explosion of woo threads is a defense of the messiah's health plan.

[BlueStateSaint]

Doesn't the democrat insurance plan pay for woo treatment?

I think it'll cover chiropractic, chakra adjustment, homeopathy, voodoo, acupuncture, herbalism, naturopathy, and reading chicken guts.

Maybe this explosion of woo threads is a defense of the messiah's health plan.

If they merged, would they become 'woo-woo plans?'  Similar to 'woo-woo Indians?'

[zeitgeist]

Looks like a good thread to deposit more DU Woo.  

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/10024285618

geek tragedy (34,437 posts)


So, if woo is just as good as science, why bother with global warming?
    
I mean, sure science says human kind is warming up the planet, but the consensus on DU seems to be that scientists and science can't be trusted. So why the need for comprehensive carbon regulation.

Also, why should we believe those pencil- necked biology scientists when they tell us Jesus never rode a dinosaur?

Many prominent DUmmies on this thread.  row on over for a rollicking good time.  

Join Birch John society, support wooden toilet seats and outhouses, the green alternative!!    

Scootaloo (9,156 posts)

27. Hippydippy woo is okay, Bircher woo is bad
 




Easy litmus test.

If a man named Free who wears sandals in December and smells vaguely of homemade kimchee would say it, then it's accepted on DU.

If a man named Royce who wears a $500 tie and smells of aquavelva at seven PM would say it, it's not accepted on DU.

The Meaning of Life is to Give Life Meaning
 

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Response to Scootaloo (Reply #27)

Mon Jan 6, 2014, 03:16 AM

Star Member BainsBane (22,154 posts)

30. There is a third kind: This Bud's for woo
 
If a guy named bubba who lives in a red state spouts it, it's not accepted on DU. Examples of This Bud's for Woo include Creationism and Birtherism.  

Say, didn't folk call "the bent one", Bill Clinton, bubba??  

[GOBUCKS]

Mon Jan 6, 2014, 03:16 AM

Star Member BainsBane (22,154 posts)

30. There is a third kind: This Bud's for woo

Don't you imagine Jugs is sort of pissed off that this is taking attention away from her dick wars?

[JohnnyReb]

Don't you imagine Jugs is sort of pissed off that this is taking attention away from her dick wars?

So, has Jugs decided which is best yet....meat or plastic dicks?

[Carl]

Nothing like watching the asylum run wild.

[BlueStateSaint]

So, has Jugs decided which is best yet....meat or plastic dicks?

Weeeell, plastic dicks never say 'no' . . . 

[wasp69]

Nothing like watching the asylum run wild.

It does seem to be getting worse, doesn't it? 

Anymore, the DUmp reminds me of a cross between a nuthouse riot and the Roman Circuses.  It's almost as if they ($kinner and the gang) let the DUmmies tear each other to pieces and then "kill" the survivors, lest they metastasize into something that will eventually overwhelm the "system" and murder the "spectators" as well as the "handlers".

[Bad Dog]

Weeeell, plastic dicks never say 'no' . . . 

Or vomit mid coitus or curl up crying afterward etc.

[Wineslob]

Horton heard a woo?

[Chris_]

Horton heard a woo?

Cindy Lou Woo

[Maxiest]

Love some of the films by John Woo.  Can anyone tell me one of the signatures that is in all his films?

[FlaGator]

This may help. It is the first 10 items in the Woo Woo Credo

1 Never look for the simplest, most obvious cause of something. Refrain from mentioning Occam's Razor (it's your nemesis).

2 Always favor the conspiracy angle over the boring angle. Mundane explanations (like saying that Roswell was a balloon) are for dullards and government drones. If you want to sleep with that curvaceous new-age chick, don't tell her you think astrology is bogus! (Non woo-woos may benefit from that advice temporarily).

3 Don't accept mainstream science unless it's something you've believed in for years (like gravity).

4 Try to answer as few direct questions as possible. Always obfuscate and try to sound learned. Mimic Richard Hoagland's style and you'll go far.

5 Use "what if" scenarios to change the subject whenever possible. If you linger on one topic too long you may be asked to provide annoying things like "proof." Don't let that happen! Consult a creationist if you need practice with subject-changing.

6 If you're cornered and asked for proof of something, always tell the person that they "can't disprove" your claims. Many of them will just walk away shaking their heads, which of course means they agree with you. A side-to-side head shake could be the same as a vertical nod. Anything is possible, after all.


7 Memorize all the sci-babble terms used in the Star Trek series. They are very useful if you get cornered by a skeptic, and you need to come up with some sort of "scientific" explanation. e.g., Inertial Dampers.

8 When all else fails, start asking hypothetical questions that have nothing to do with the actual debate. If your opponent chooses to ignore your pointless questions and remains on topic, repeat your meaningless question(s) over and over. This will make any Believers in the audience think that your opponent is evading the issue.

9 Accuse your opponent of being a liar, or try some other tactic that will (hopefully) make him angry. If he responds in kind to your endless taunts, change the subject to his anger, and accuse him of name calling. If he accuses you of provoking him, then you have changed the subject of the debate. If he stays on topic, keep the heat up. The Believers in the audience will forgive the worst verbal attacks you use, but they will think even the mildest replies he makes to you are personal attacks that undermine his argument.

10 Use the word quantum in a sentence, despite not knowing what it means. For a more impressive effect, use it with the name of your favorite superstition - "quantum dowsing" sure sounds mighty serious.

The whole Credo is here.

[Skul]

They're still at it.
Woo let the dogs out?

[JohnnyReb]

The knights that say woo.....tilting at windmills.