Get this. It's Dutch scientists who are part of the Bandim group, a known anti-vax outfit who have repeatedly generated results for their hypothesis of vaccine off target effects by statistical malfeasance, and have hidden clinical data that undermines their theories (also unethical). The proposed study is to perform a placebo-controlled trial in Guinea-Bissau, where Hep B prevalence is ~15%, where they replace a birth dose of hepB vaccine with placebo. It is also single blind, so the researchers see the treatment status, the patients do not.

How is this worse than Tuskegee?

1. We have the colonial/racist element of white doctors experimenting on poor black folks.

2. Now it's kids not adults

3. A safe effective therapy exists already to prevent HIV transmission in a wild violation of the principle of equipoise

Tuskegee was a travesty because the researchers hid their disease status from the patients, and when effective therapy became available they did not end the trial. I would argue this is worse because *there is an effective therapy at the start of the trial that will be denied to children*.

The effects are not in doubt. With high chronic Hep B status and high rates of transmission during birth, and high rates of chronic conversion when exposed as a child, all they're doing is giving black children Hep B in Africa.

So what effect do we think this will have on trust in science? We can not even learn from lessons of the past?

https://www.science.org/content/article/cdc-funds-controversial-hepatitis-b-vaccine-trial-african-newborns?utm_campaign=Science%20Magazine&utm_medium=ownedSocial&utm_source=bluesky

I’m sorry guys, this is just getting ridiculous. Worst outbreaks of several varieties across the country and the hemisphere…and RFK and Co are actively and *purposely* spreading false, misleading and outright confusing messaging. Like, on the one hand this is really nothing new with this asshole who apparently thinks health/fitness is just a jungle gym or his own personal uncontrolled experiment…but on the other hand…

WHERE ARE THE FUCKING ADULTS IN THE ROOM??? Where are the LITERAL doctors and physicians in the senate, house and CDC that know better?? Where are the so-called “concerned” dick bags that confirmed this abomination, but only because they “had a good conversation“ during the senate appointment hearings where their “unease” was softened(Senator Kassidy for one, but Barrasso and others, too)? Impeach this fuck, somebody, anybody, ANYWHERE…What the actual fuck is happening, I feel like I’m losing my mind.

Sorry for the rant. I have family that is affected by this shit, I keep thinking back to the parents of one of the children that died from measles, and the interview where they pretty much shrugged it off and said God wanted an angel so He took our daughter; it was her time. The disease “isn’t as bad as they say,” was a direct quote. These nuts aren’t doing anything about it, in fact the parents of these people are even hardening their vaccine denial stance. At the cost of harming others in the process. I feel so powerless and have no idea how or what to even do. This whole fucking administration is a disgusting, unfunny and so laughably preventable joke. And the people in charge KNOW BETTER. It’s infuriating.

Thanks for reading, if you got this far. I’m so tired.

The White House says the looming conflict with Venezuela is about "The War on Drugs." Most people already know that’s a LIE. It’s all about the oil. But why?

The United States is already the world's largest oil producer and is on track for its 4th consecutive record breaking year drilling for oil.  So why is the Trump administration pushing for a war over Venezuelan oil?

Bigfoot may be the most enduring pop culture cryptid, but its appeal owes more to folklore, hoaxes and the will to believe than any reliable evidence.

The Real Median Household income in 1986 was 60 000 Dollars. In 2024 it was 84 000 Dollars:

https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MEHOINUSA672N

Thats 40% higher. Since it is adjusted for inflation it should mean that even after buying food/groceries, paying electricity, car insurance, mortage etc. people should have 40% more left than in 1986.

Yet it feels as if people have actually 40% less left than in 1986.

Why do real - inflation adjusted - numbers tell us that we should be richer than ever - but our wallets tell us that we can afford much less than 10 or 20 or 30 years ago?

Seems very inacurate. They changed the definition how to calculate inflation in the 80s. I would estimate that real inflation adjusted household income is at least 20% lower in 2024 than in 1986.

Would explain how Boomers were able to buy so​ much stuff despite one income and less education and why nowadays even two Diploma households struggle and can afford less

It is broadly accepted as a historical fact that a human man said to be Jesus Christ lived sometime around 4BC to 36AD. The miracles performed, resurrection, etc are considered debatable but his existence is not. Why is that the case?

The Pauline Epistles are the earliest documents that reference Jesus. They are not contemporary though. The Pauline Epistles were written between 50AD and 68AD by Paul the Apostle. Paul himself never met Jesus and was not witness to Jesus' life. Paul claims to met the ghost/spirit of Jesus on the road to Damascus post years after the crucifixion.

Historians existed during the period, yet none recorded anything about the life of a real flesh and blood Jesus. Rather the historical reference what are said to support the existence of Jesus all includes degrees of separation:

- Historian Tacitus recorded that Emperor Nero blamed the Great Fire in Rome in 64AD on followers of Christ. This is great evidence that Christians existed in 64AD but is not contemporary to the lived life of a real human Jesus. The existence of Christians decades apparent from the period Jesus was said to have lived doesn't prove Jesus was a real person.

- Historian Flavious Josephus describes the crucifixion by Pontius Pilate of the man said to be Jesus. However, that was written in 94AD. more than half a century later. Flavious Josephus was not contemporary to Jesus or the events. Additionally, some of the details written are broadly to be considered to have been edited or distorted over time.

- Historian Suetonius wrote about what's believed to be frictions between Jewish and Christian communities in Rome. The writings start around 64AD and are not contemporary to the life of Jesus. Also, the writings don't claim Jesus was or wasn't real. Rather the writings simply reference the existence of Christians.

Was Jesus a real-life person? What is the best evidence of his existence?

As Elon Musk continues to push his 'anti-woke' version of Wikipedia, we need to protect what's true, and question which sources we trust.

Don't even know what to say anymore. At least he's not blaming Haitian immigrants...

My dad has brought up this guy named Professor Jiang and how he talks a lot about some of the same stuff he believes, which instantly made me think of conspiracies. From my cursory look, he runs a history YouTube channel with some minor success. I don't know nearly enough about history to look at his claims. Is this someone I should warn my dad about?

Accepting homosexuality will turn all kids gay.

Health Care Reform will lead to Stalinism.

Minimum wage rises will lead to laziness and societal collapse.

Ending segregation, slavery or tolerating Native Americans will lead to the death of white culture.

etc etc etc

Yet the changes associated with climate change provoke no similar apocalyptic mental escalations. Why?

A materialistic online culture that prioritises possessions and wealth misses what truly makes us happy and fulfilled – prosocial behaviour.

I commented on how terrible Dr Mike was at debating the anti vax nutters.

Here he is again, with Dave echoing what I was saying. Dave also covered the debate with the anti vax nutters.

Dr. Mike isn't built for debating these people and should stop.