I commented in November on the case of a Belgian man who was supposedly "communicating" after several years in a coma.
Skeptics were saying Rom Houben's pronouncements via keyboard were really a case of "facilitated communication," a widely discredited process.
Someone I know shrugged and said "Maybe" when I mentioned this to her. She wasn't convinced Houben's communication was a hoax.
Well, I've just read news that the physician at the centre of it all has admitted he was mistaken. Dr. Steven Laureys has looked into it and concluded "that it wasn't Houben doing the writing after all," Der Spiegel reports.
Funny how the debunking of this "miracle" case isn't getting as much mainstream news coverage as the original story. Not nearly as sexy to report that the coma guy isn't communicating after all, I suppose. And journalists don't like to admit they were hoodwinked (again) by pseudoscience.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
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19 comments:
I remember thinking "probably not quite right" when the MSM was crowing about this poor guy who was "talking" after being in a coma for so long. I thought something smelled fishy - thanks for posting this confirmation, Stimpson :)
But let's face it, Stimpson: journalists (especially U.S. ones) would much rather waste time covering unimportant stories like Tiger Woods. Great journalism has become a lost art.
Amiable post and this mail helped me alot in my college assignement. Thanks you as your information.
I remember that. Sadly, that comotose man, by revealing nothing at all, is providing more value than Republican pundits.
PS - I smell SPAM :-(
geez, it was reprted at the time that some woman was actually moving the guy's hand (acting on his nudges). It seemed obvious a case of BULLSHIT!!! If ya aint got any nerve waves, ya aint gonna be moving pencils or typing on keyboards. . . oh wait, I'm doing it right now.
I'll bet the fundies are disappointed. . . which explains the lack of media attention.
Very funny, Sagacious One and Tom. And Tom, I think I'll keep the spam here. Never seen spam for an escort agency at my blog or anyone else's before. Its distinctiveness is good enough reason to keep it. And that generic 'Amiable post' thing, which I've gotten before, seems harmless though I'm curious what its purpose is.
Jack: One problem in journalism is a lack of science literacy, never mind expertise. In my J-school class of 26, not one of us had majored in a science before entering J-school.
Bee: The BS was so obvious to me that I'm baffled as to how so many people couldn't see it.
In that case, my friend, be sure to let us know how your escorted outing turns out. ;-)
Well the journalists get hoodwinked every day by politicians.
Suprised they didn't run it just to show there's others that can trick 'em to...;-)
It'd make a change eh?
er...I'd avoid Joan Stepson old bean...LA Escort???..Good grief
@Tom: Oh ... that kind of Escort! I was thinking Ford Escort. Anyhoo, I don't imagine I'll be in L.A. anytime in the next few years. But you live closer to L.A. If you ever give Joan a call, let me know how it worked out.
@4D: One thing about journos, they tend to think of themselves as really, really smart. Turns out politicians tend to have smarter people working for them.
Journalists/reporters of today = stenographers.
Ack
Hey Stimpy, thanks for keeping the "LA Escorts" post up.
I think I finally found my dream girl. I'm gonna call her and see if she wants to come live on the farm! Wow, how'd I get so lucky to find her?!
"I am easy going with an uplifting attitude and full of life!
I believe that if you're going to do something, you should do it well and this shines through in all aspects, including my attitude, appearance and performance.
Let me be the answer to all those fantasies you have been dreaming about. I provide upscale companionship to mature, generous gentlemen who are respectable and know how to appreciate the finer things in life.
If you are looking for a charming and sexy companion who will cater to all your needs you, then you have finally met your match."
Not nearly as sexy to report that the coma guy isn't communicating after all, I suppose.
Still, sort of a bummer.
Stimpson,
A lot of noteworthy authors don't do the actual writing-is this gentleman's brain activity conclusively lower than that of Sarah Palin?
Nope. I'm not going to LA to Californicate!! ;-)
Hmm that's quiet interessting but to be honest i have a hard time determining it... wonder how others think about this..
Good fill someone in on and this mail helped me alot in my college assignement. Thanks you seeking your information.
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