House of Numbers backed by quacks
Posted by gimpy on October 29, 2009
You may have heard that the Spectators screening of House of Numbers and the follow up debate have now been cancelled, however, I doubt those of us who follow the antics of alternative therapists will have heard the last of this film. A major source of information for alternative practitioners is Mike Adams’ Natural News site, while this might at first glance look like the rantings of a lunatic fringe in reality Mike Adams is more a barber surgeon of alternative medicine, slicing and dicing science to transplant evidence with fear and paranoia* to fuel the sense of persecution of the online alternative health movement. Online forums and alternative health websites frequently cite Natural News as a source for their opinions.
The collection of immune suppression symptoms typically labeled “AIDS” could be far more effectively treated with naturopathic health strategies, including aggressive detoxification strategies, the removal of heavy metals, the avoidance of environmental synthetic chemicals (in foods, drugs, personal care products, homes and offices) and the addition of powerful immune-boosting herbs, foods and superfoods.
Essentially, AIDS can be cured in much the same way cancer can be cured: By radically altering food intake and lifestyle decisions to support a vibrant, healthy immune system.
This is nonsense. Neither AIDS nor cancer can be cured by a change of lifestyle. However, I think we will begin to see swellings of support for House of Numbers by alternative therapists as a result of this article. A lot of alternative health practitioners believe in a big pharma conspiracy that suppresses information and creates disease to sell drugs, Mike Adams is simply validating what they believe they already know. There is already considerable interest in listening to the opinions of aids denialists, with homeopaths organising seminars, ‘nutrionists’ such as Patrick Holford believing that vitamin C can treat AIDS and pro-alternative health lobby groups collaborating with the likes of Matthias Rath, whose views are in part responsible for in excess of 300,000 deaths in South Africa alone.
To those alternative therapists who read this blog I would urge you, rather than consider the opinions of Mike Adams, to read the content on this site from those misrepresented by House of Numbers instead. Then you might learn it is not the scientists and drug companies who distort reality for their own ends but those who push fear, paranoia, deceit and denialism from within the alternative health movement.
* This link goes to the peerless orac who has the patience and the stomach to expose the twisted innards and tripe of Natural News.
Prateek Buch said
Cracking post – in saying that AIDS, and cancer for that matter, can be cured by tweaks to diet and lifestyle, Adams is verging on becoming a danger to public health – and yet the alt med community is likely to be encouraged in applying its misconceptions to AIDS denialism given his apparent clout.
Denialism, the scourge of rational thought, must be defeated – question is, how…?!
Jay said
It’s always a bad idea to lump people into categories. If your idea of success is to “defeat” a particular ideology, you might want to start by axing ad hominem blurbs. Both defenders of the establishment and dissidents have resorted to using rhetoric and THAT is the “scourge of rational thought.” This is just the opinion of a guy standing on the sidelines. I am not swayed by name calling so if you want to win me to your way of thinking, actually using rational thought instead of just talking about it will get you far.
(Jay is from a company that helped make House of Numbers, I did not realise this when I replied – gimpy)
gimpy said
Jay, read the scientific evidence on HIV/AIDS instead of watching documentaries. This link is a handy guide as to where to start:
http://aidstruth.org/science/studies
phayes said
Heh! Would it be a bad idea to lump you into the category of deceitful, argumentum ad temperantiam wielding hypocrites, Jay?
Ellis said
A quote for you:
“Question:
What kind of industry is it that is above outside criticism? That is above examination by tax-paying citizens? By “non-experts?”
Answer:
Only the most corrupt on the planet.
Question:
Why does the AIDS Industry tar its critics with the most libelous hate-speech?
Answer: Because it’s running scared from the looming discovery of its immense corruption and bleeding, oozing, seeping, infectious dishonesty.”
warhelmet said
I wonder if Mike Adams will do a rap about the subject?
Chris Noble said
At first I was tempted to give HIV Denialists some leeway. Can they help it if some lunatics like Mike Adams support them?
But then Duesberg and other leading HIV Denialists appear on the radio shows of quackopaths Gary Null and Robert Scott Bell which leads me to believe that they are actively targeting this audience. Both of these quacks have a large following of anti-science, anti-authoritarian, conspiracy theorizing, ‘open minded’ people. The perfect target audience for HIV denial.
whereistheproof said
if i had listened to the advise of my aids doctor at the kobler centre in london during the early 90-ties, then i would be dead by now.
i have seen many fellow patients die on high doses of azt and later somewhat lower on haart.
peter duesberg saved my life. i stopped taking arv’s and am among the many ‘long term non progressors’ as we are called now.
fact is – millions are like me. they just have not been tested. hiv does not kill. ignorance, greed, poverty, drugs and war does. i am living proof of that. as well as the many million others.
Nash said
Some of my friends are what are called “Gulf War Veterans” and they are alive and well. So by your reasoning, the fact they have not been killed or injured, wars don’t kill people.
Tomas said
Nash said
November 6, 2009 at 15:23
Some of my friends are what are called “Gulf War Veterans” and they are alive and well. So by your reasoning, the fact they have not been killed or injured, wars don’t kill people.
Nash you wouldn’t be guilty of the so called “denialist deck of Cards” would you?
Wars do Kill people and so did AZT and HAART but those who escaped “the gulf war” or are “Azt and HAART Veterans” are alive and well to tell about it.
I am a different type of AIDS Denyalist,and your reasoning is right on the tip of the Holocaust and Genocide denial.
YOU GUYS ARE SIMPLY PURE CONCOCTED GENOCIDE DENIALISTS, PATHETIC!
Nash said
Did you read what I was replying to?
Whereistheproof was saying that Hiv does not kill because they are alive. By their reasoning, personal survival of a war would mean that wars don’t kill.