Re: Faith no more

[dambik@fnalo.fnal.gov (Ed Dambik)]

In article <NESSUS.94Jan6135228@twitch.mit.edu>, nessus@mit.edu (Douglas Alan) writes:
> 
> I think it is widely accepted by the scientific and medical
> communities that if someone strongly believes that their health will
> improve, then their health will on average fare significantly better

Better known as the Placebo Effect named after it's discoverer, Dr.
Irwin B. Placebo who used to give his patients colored sugar pills 
to keep them happy. This effect has since become the scientific
basis for various economic theories used by the government. The
effect has also been used to solve the S&L crisis, environmental
problems, and homelessness. Recently, experts have suggested using a
large scale version of Dr. Placebo's methods to solve the American
Health Care Crisis. Dr. Placebo may remain nothing more than an
obscure historical footnote but his invaluable contribution to science
continues to aid in the solution of intractable problems everywhere.


The Other Ed