If it walks like a duck

If you're a fan of Ben Goldacre but don't have the new paperback edition of Bad Science, you can still read his chapter on vitamin pill quack and Aids charlatan, Matthias Rath, by clicking here. Believe me, it'll be time well spent.

Homoeophobia? Common sense

This shouldn't need doing again, but just in case you still think homoeopathy might have something in it, read this fine new article by Ben Goldacre from today's Guardian.

As long as you're popping a pill that contains no trace of 'active' ingredient (or - gulp! - listening to homoeopathic music) to get rid of a head cold, no harm's done. But when people start suggesting that homoeopathy can cure Aids, like the goon quoted below, it's time we all reached for whatever in rational discourse might pass for a gun.

Peter Chappell, whose work will feature at a conference organised by the Society of Homeopaths next month, makes dramatic claims about his ability to solve the Aids epidemic using his own homeopathic pills called "PC Aids", and his specially encoded music. "Right now," he says, "Aids in Africa could be significantly ameliorated by a simple tune played on the radio."

Radio Gaga?

Oh yes, the forenamed Society has apparently threatened to sue bloggers who are critical of homoeopathic 'medicines'. Well, homoeopathy sucks.

Watch this space.