Wait; shouldnt this be filed under 'US'? No. Because this is not about students wearing flip-flops to the White House. Neither is it about John Kerry. (What happnes to those who lose elections anyways - where do they all suddenly disappear to?).
This is about those research flip-flops we constantly keep seeing. One research tells us xyz in moderation decreases cholesterol. Another tells us to avoid it at all times. I read somewhere that some 30 odd percent of all research is contradicted by another finding soon enough. I believe the percentage is way more than 30. I believe this finding itself that 30 odd percent of research is contradicted soon enough -- will soon be contradicted.
Along these lines, I propose the scientific research community (not me - I am not that scientific and I definitely am not a research community) to come up with a comprehensive index. A number scale which shall be used henceforth for all products; whether congenial or vile. In fact, it is this scale itself which shall tell us if a product is good for us or bad. No grey areas. No 'good if taken in moderation'. The scale shall range from say +1000 to -1000. So if something is say +500 .. then I goddam very well know its good for me. If some other thing is -10 .. its up to me to decide whether the pleasure is worth the risk.
Ha! That'll keep them busy for a while.
Posted by anya at September 9, 2005 11:53 AM | TrackBacknice idea!! though the 'research community' might then come up with contradictory researches about how good the product scale really is... and then what do we do??? :)
Posted by: Prashant at September 10, 2005 12:22 AMlet them do that .. then see how i fry them in my next post! ;-)
Posted by: anya at September 10, 2005 11:47 AMThanks for visiting my blog!
Posted by: sneha at September 10, 2005 02:19 PMI think if the researchers publish a complete list of the sponsoring organizations, that would really give you a good idea of what kind of bias might exist.
A study on the effects of smoking on lungs sponsored by Philip Morris should get a -1000 automatically !
Posted by: Ideamani at September 10, 2005 09:36 PM