h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: JABS Message Board (work in progress) - A2084267
Author: leo mckern [space for random exotic word juxtaposition generator] - U534308

needs more flesh I know, still collecting ammo

This is a *very* emotive subject

I wonder if a better approach might be, rather than an attack on JABS itself, a broader look at 'Misconceptions About Vaccines' or somesuch. To get into the Edited Guide (which may or may not be your aim!) I think this may have to be a little more balanced, starting with a statement such as:

"Although some people have concerns about vaccines, many are unfounded. Indeed, a large proportion of these concerns have been whipped up by the media and individuals with axes to grind with the medical profession as a whole. This article will look at the 'science' underlying some of these accusations, and look at what our current state of knowledge really is."

The message board comments could then be organised into subheadings: MMR, side-effects etc.

It's also worth stating explicitly that there is a significant minority who simply will not listen, regardless of the evidence that is presented (which you imply at the end of the article). In many ways, this reflects the Evolution vs. Creationism argument (A730522) which stirred up enormous and *very* bitter arguments in conversations before it was agreed to turn the whole lot into a series of Entries presenting both sides of the argument.

Of course, as for the 'Defensive Medicine' article, any personal references would need to be removed, or turned into 'quotations'.

Good luck

what do you think? thanks for the feedback its very useful

The introduction is spot on! You need to state what 'Visceral' is and why they have an interest in Dr Wakefield's work.

The section on JABS still needs tidying a little, and, again, could perhaps be made less personal - "JABS is a messageboard that claims to be neither pro- nor anti-vaccines but... Here are some examples of the statements made on JABS"

A point that I feel should be made (although you may disagree!) is that many people with concerns about vaccines have no agenda as such. They are just parents who are, rightly, concerned about their children's health and are confused and worried by the messages propagated by the media and by those such as Dr Wakefield. An important problem is that the quality of science teaching and the level of scientific general knowledge in the UK, the USA and many other countries is so poor that people do not have the basic skills to examine the problem and come to their own conclusions. This is a bit of a hobby-hourse of mine, so you're welcome to take issue!

I agree actually - the scientific illiteracy is appalling and responsible for lot of problems!

Of course, my last comment about science and education also applies to the 'Defensive Medicine' article...

Incidentally, there's an Entry at A685055 that you might find interesting in relation to the point that "All physicians and scientists know that much of what we "know" now will be proven false."

I appreciate all this feedback - it definetely looks better now. before it was just a bit of blowing off steam but it looks more scholarly now. cheers

do you like the changes? ready for peer review yet?

Love the Fitzpatrick quote and related section - perfect!

I'm afraid the JABS section still probably won't pass PR. It's a style thing rather than a content thing - the Guide is intended as a collaborative affair, so tends to prefer articles written exclusively from a third-person point of view (unless it's of the 'My experience of...' variety.)

I'll get back to you on Monday with some more detailed thoughts - it won't take much to sort it out, and then it's ready to go. Just be prepared to deal with the fall-out

Have a good weekend

Good morning!

I've read through it again, and I think you've now covered everything. I would consider putting it into PR

This being such an emotive subject, I imagine there'll be a fair bit of comment on this one - but then I imagine that's part of the point anyway

light the blue touchpaper and stand back!

Good luck