Yes, thunk not think. *Thunk* is the noise your brain makes when it hits a solid wall of Flaming Stupid.
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“What do you know about HIV transmission? Take the @UNAIDS HIV knowledge quiz for #CrowdOutAIDS shar.es/oewrw #partoftheminority
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I think this is the tweet that started it all. It seems to be the one replied to, anyway.
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“@anarchic_teapot Is it science when the rigors of the discipline are not applied? virusmyth.org/ Your thoughts appreciated.
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Odd question: “is it science when the rigors of the discipline are not applied?” What on earth does he (I suspect it’s the website owner, although at the time I naïvely assumed it was someone helpfully pointing out a misinformation site for my future ire) think science is? In any case, I was rushed off my feet and didn’t go into semantics, merely noting the presence of the website and replying:
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“Belief without question is faith. Is it science when the rigors of a discipline are not applied? virusmyth.org/ Who benefits?
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The above was tweeted in between, but not directed at me. He seems to be trying to drum up trade for the site. I didn’t see this until later.
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Not having the foggiest idea what he’s on about and assuming he’s in good faith, I reply:
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What? This is the first real indication he’s not 100% kosher, especially as I wasn’t being sarcastic and hadn’t accused him of denialism.
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“@redtache I waasn’t being sarcastic! I can be nice to people sometimes. Seriously, thanks for the heads-up, I’ve been wanting to nail them
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I don’t answer, because I’m snowed under. In any case, if he knows me from my blog he shouldn’t have to ask. However, he turns up again like a bad penny an hour later:
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You’d think he’d have taken time out to find out to whom he’s talking, but no.
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“@redtache I would suggest you read my blog if you are in doubt as to my opinion on pseudoscience
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Ah, this is definitely a troll. He’s had time to look at my blog, then accuses me of not being straight with him. They do this when they don’t get the reply they want. Presumably he wants to bog me down on Twitter, but unfortunately for him I *do* have more interesting and important things to do.
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“@redtache Please. I am busy, do not have time or inclination to repeat everything ad infinitum. Blog quite clear on preference for SB info
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Not asking me to repeat everything? Oh yes you were: it’s an old troll tactic to try and wear people down that way, by making them waste time repeating the same arguments over and over. As for an open mind, I do have one, but not so open my brain falls out (and the ‘closed mind’ accusation is another classic antiscience trollism).I wasn’t aware I was debating anyone, since I’d pointed out I was too busy, and I couldn’t see any Noble Laureates in the room to disagree with me or otherwise. Appeal to anonymous higher authority? Good one, lad. I’ll stick with Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and her colleagues anyway.
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“@redtache What name calling? And why should a microblogging service be an acceptable debating platform while you’re working?
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I had suggested he was using denialist tactics *once*. Presumably the sarcasm accusation is because I didn’t come rushing to him asking for further information and saying how all this has been a revelation to me. Actually, I’d discovered the existence of the very nasty denialist group “Rethinking AIDS” a few months back, so I’d had time to get over both my surprise and anger. So, if he wants it quite clear, let’s give it to him with both barrels. With extreme politeness.
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“@redtache Sigh Please indicate where I am ambiguous about science-based evidence for HIV, the virus causing AIDS.
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To this I receive no reply.He posts this later on, to anybody who might be listening:
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Then why so defensive of criticism of that site? And as for political expediency and profit, that’s the first time it’s mentioned. Goalpost moving, anybody?
Related articles
- Guest Blog: World AIDS Day – HIV and older people (ageukblog.org.uk)
- AIDS threatens elderly but stigma hinders treatment (europe.chinadaily.com.cn)
- Funding crunch hits Aids programmes (iol.co.za)
- VISA: HIV/AIDS deniers ” Vaccination Awareness and Information … (scoop.it)
- HIV/AIDS denialism versus science [Respectful Insolence] (scienceblogs.com)
- 6 dead after church tells them to stop taking HIV medication (freethoughtblogs.com)
- Aids-free generation can be achieved, says Hillary Clinton – The Guardian (guardian.co.uk)
