Hard to believe that it’s been already two years! On 14 October 2012, I posted the very first article. It set out what I wanted to achieve:
Why another blog offering critical analyses of the weird and wonderful stuff that is going on in the world of alternative medicine? The answer is simple: compared to the plethora of uncritical misinformation on this topic, the few blogs that do try to convey more reflected, sceptical views are much needed; and the more we have of them, the better.
At the time, I had no idea how successful this venture into the unknown would become. Today, over 350 articles have been posted and almost 8000 comments have contributed to an often lively debate about almost all aspects of alternative medicine. Currently, the blog has well over 1000 – 2000 visitors every day. Selected posts have been translated and re-published in about half a dozen languages. I admit: I am quite proud of all that!
Back in 2012, I also had no idea how much fun I would derive from doing all this. Those who know me well would probably confirm that I am an unlikely candidate for getting his teeth into something like a blog. Thanks to mostly helpful and often brilliant comments from my readers, this blog has become a constant source of entertainment and information for me and, I hope, many others too.
My aims have remained very much the same during these last two years. Today I might formulate them as follows:
- I want to inform the public about all matters related to alternative medicine.
- I aim to review new evidence as it emerges.
- I also wish to entertain my readers.
- I feel a strong need to create a counter-balance to the thousands of blogs that are dangerously promotional and woefully uncritical.
- And I want to help consumers to become much more effective ‘BULL-SHIT DETECTORS’ (I got this term recently from Sir Iain Chalmers).
Of course, none of these aims are achievable without active, critical, witty and outspoken readers and commentators. I would like to take the occasion of this second anniversary to thank everybody who has helped with and contributed to this blog. May the good work and intense fun continue!
16 Responses to Today is the second anniversary of my blog!
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More power to your pen and keep it up.
Mind you had to think for a moment about the arithmetic.
DZ
Congratulations! Surely I am among the “witty” commenters? Yes, I thought so! Keep the good work coming for many more years.
Congratulations, and keep up the good work, it’s appreciated.
It has taken me a while to appreciate what you do, so thankyou for the education in critical thinking. It is in short supply in CAM. Critical self evaluation leeding to best practice and change is vital, thats progress! All critics within and without a profession should be lauded and the debate that they stimulate encouraged. I may not always agree with you say, but thats fine as the discussion is always stimulating, well referenced and well thought out.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Blogday, Dr. Ernst! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on all of these things. You are making a difference.
Happy blog day too, thanks for all your hard work.
Would love some podcasts? Loved mark crislips but he doesn’t do many now.
Congratulations! This blog is a safe haven in the sea of nonsense.
so many nice compliments encourage me to carry on the struggle for reason; thanks
“so many nice compliments encourage me to carry on the struggle for reason; thanks”
Please, Perfesser, don’t feel obligated.
…but I do, I do!
Good blog indeed, I think it’s a good way to go beyond the “event horizon” of quackery !
Congratulations! I’m very pleased that you continue to enjoy producing your blog and I’m deeply grateful to you for the multitude of things that I’ve learnt from it over the last two years.
Congratulations! I stumbled on your blog almost by accident; now it’s one of my regular reads. You do splendid work in turning the face of reason to superstitious nonsense.
At the risk of sounding repetetive, I’d like to add my thanks and congratulations for this blog. You are a resounding voice of sense and practicality in a world that seems to be ever more bent on treating patients as disposable profit-generating items. I have passed on the site name to many friends, all of whom report sharing my mixture of surprise, educational benefit, and, yes, fun when reading it.
Keep it coming!
COMPLIMENTARY MEDICINE INDEED!
thanks
What are you going to do about the ever increasing CAM in Europe Edzard? Can you blog as to why so many of your fellow reseachers in Europe support CAM? Just one example see link below.
http://www.ecim2014belgrade.org/scientific-committee/