How Gullible Are We to Alarmists Practicing Junk Science?

PaulSpoerry | July 15, 2007

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A student at Eagle Rock Junior High won first prize at the Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair. He was attempting to show how conditioned we have become to alarmists practicing junk science and spreading fear of everything in our environment. In his project he urged people to sign a petition demanding strict control or total elimination of the chemical “dihydrogen monoxide.” And for plenty of good reasons, since:

it can cause excessive sweating and vomiting
it is a major component in acid rain
it can cause severe burns in its gaseous state
accidental inhalation can kill you
it contributes to erosion
it decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes
it has been found in tumors of terminal cancer patients

He asked 50 people if they supported a ban of the chemical.

Forty-three (43) said yes,
Six (6) were undecided,
Only one (1) knew that the chemical was water.

The title of his prize winning project was, “How Gullible Are We?”He feels the conclusion is obvious. This reminds me of a bit I saw where they walked around asking for people to sign a petition to end womens suffrage. Check the almighty wiki for the history of the prank.

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