Does this bother you?

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I look at how people debate in online forums and besides the obvious disinterest in learning anything by most of us - we tend merely to thump our own tubs and ignore others - but the amount of the time that people rely on the internet to substantiate their arguments scares me.

Pick a subject, 'google' it, how many hits? tens of thousands or even millions, all ranked according to popularity, look through some and try and be critical...

I have done this over the years and you know, I trust books more! To get any reputable book publisher to publish your book one has to be able to substantiate ones arguments and be held to account for what will become a permenant record, one must clearly differentiate between opinion and 'fact', yes there are plenty of bogus books but by reading broadly one quickly filters out the rubbish, I trust books more.

Web site? any idiot with a tub to thump or an axe to grind can set up a website, so many of which lack any references or proofs, just look at the issue of 9/11 conspiricies, global warming debate or any number of hot and highly political issues. Often who has promoted or provided financial support is obscured when their influence is critical.

I can use 'google' to find the 'proofs' for absolutely any rediculous claim I wish to make, it is a joke how many people trust internet sources so much and how much confusion there is, I find it hard to take seriously. It bothers me.

peace j

Yes, there is a lot of garbage on the internet. It's sad, really.

I know this woman who is constantly buying all these crazy herbal remedy things online, because" the pharmaceutical companies are only interested in money, and don't want you to know about natural remedies." Um, hello?? If the pharmaceutical companies are only interested in money and these things cost an arm and a leg, why wouldn't they want you to know about them?? Oh, but this guy's a doctor, because it says so on his web site.

Sorry. /rant

Little known fact: I am a certified herbalist who studied with a proper school and then apprenticed under my MIL for two years, who had been an effective herbalist for 45 years.

"Alternative medicine" has its place and can be a resolution for many common and even serious ailments and conditions. The same treatment can also render zero results in the next person with the same condition. It's very touch and go, moreso than the synthetic chemical medicine manufactured by pharmaceutical companies, and cannot be relied upon. It frightens me when people claim a bunch of twigs and berries will cure cancer or diabetes. No such thing exists. Misinformation, ignorance, scams... it's rampant on the internet. I do my best to only provide solicited advice that is accurate and solid.