Celebrities’ campaign support
p2pnet.net News:- “I mean, one of the biggest problems that exists right now in the world is nuclear waste… that’s something I’ve been involved with for a while with a group of scientists – finding a way to neutralise radiation.”
Madonna on claims by Dr Artur Spokojny, a Kabbalah follower, to have decontaminated Lake Glyboke in Chernobyl.
” …every day there’s a new report warning that obesity levels in children are out of control… The fact that those kids who drink the most milk gain the most weight should cause alarm bells to be ringing everywhere. It isn’t and milk is still being pushed as essential for children.”
Heather Mills McCartney, Beatle McCartney’s ex-wife.
Some statements such as these by celebrities have done more harm than good, says the charity Sense About Science.
“The group has listed statements made by stars on topics such as organic food, pesticides and ways to avoid cancer,” says DOTmed.com. “It adds scientists’ views on whether the claims are misleading. The list is contained in a pamphlet which is being distributed to VIP clubs and restaurants across the UK, as well as management agencies and publishers.”
But, “there was a whiff of scientific sour grapes,” says The Times Online. “Do scientists seriously believe that most of us would trust Madge as a serious source of information, let alone Mrs Macca from Planet Heather?”
Yes, actually. Lots of people believe being filthy rich and/or having, or buying, celebrity status automatically translates into wisdom.
Meanwhole, “People in the public eye are often drawn into promoting theories, therapies, and campaigns that make no scientific sense,” says Sense About Science. “Check out our new leaflet which shows how easily some mistakes could have been avoided.”
If your Net access is blocked by government restrictions, try Psiphon from the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto’s Munk Centre for International Studies. Go here for the official download, here for the p2pnet download, and here for details. And if you’re Chinese and you’re looking for a way to access independent Internet news sources, try Freegate, the DIT program written to help Chinese citizens circumvent web site blocking outside of China. Download it here.
Also See:
DOTmed.com – Stars must ‘check science facts’, January 4, 2007
The Times Online – Celebrity big bother, January 6, 2007
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