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Use Astrology To Save Britain's Health System, Says MP

Posted by Soulskill on from the gullible-like-a-capricorn dept.

An anonymous reader writes: An MP from the governing Conservative Party has said that using astrology could radically improve the performance of Britain's National Health Service and that its opponents are "racially prejudiced" and driven by "superstition, ignorance and prejudice." David Treddinick even claims he has "helped" fellow legislators through astrology.

10 of 320 comments (clear)

  1. Oblig by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/health/aortic-aneurysms-caused-by-movement-of-saturn-admits-nhs-2015022595714

  2. He is linking homeopathy to astrology by abies · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Ninety per cent of pregnant French women use homeopathy. Astrology is a useful diagnostic tool enabling us to see strengths and weaknesses via the birth chart."

    At first, I have failed to see the common ground between homeopathy and astrology - these two sentences sounded completely unrelated. But they are actually related - it says
    "90% of French women are gullible enough to fall for homeopathy. This means that most of them are stupid enough to also believe astrology crap, so market is ripe"

    1. Re:He is linking homeopathy to astrology by Guybrush_T · · Score: 5, Informative

      I confirm that here in France, homeopathy is very common, and even MDs frequently use it.

      But let's be serious. The placebo effect is one of the most effective thing in medical problems. The problem with it is that if you don't believe in it, it no longer works. Building false theories that makes sense for most people is therefore a skill that can be much more effective than finding real cures.

      So, in a way, I can't blame people who use it just because, as an ultra-rational guy, I do not have the "chance" of being able to use those things with a positive effect. Maybe using astrology and homeopathy would indeed increase the efficiency of the health system. Not because it prevents illnesses, but just because we have to recognize that it really works by misleading people's brain.

  3. US Monopoly by crunchy_one · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'd like to remind David Treddinick, and any other non-US citizens contemplating similar actions, that we in the US take our intellectual property rights seriously. We believe that we and we alone enjoy the right to use or sell crackpot politicians. Unless Mr. Teddinick has a license for our technology, he's set himself up to be on the receiving end of some very strongly worded letters from our attorneys.

  4. What an idiot... by Buchenskjoll · · Score: 5, Funny

    but what else would you expect from a capricorn...

    --
    -- Make America hate again!
  5. Re:Please tell me this is satire by knightghost · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I blame the people that voted him in. Politicians are the result, voters are the cause.

  6. A difficult birth... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Astrology is a useful diagnostic tool enabling us to see strengths and weaknesses via the birth chart."

    Doctor: Hmm, I've consulted the charts and I'm afraid you're in for a difficult birth. It would seem that on the due date your Sun will be in Uranus.

  7. Re:Please tell me this is satire by itzly · · Score: 5, Funny

    Did the voters really have a choice?

    No, it was in the stars.

  8. Re:Please tell me this is satire by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Homeopathy works better the fewer people believe in it.

  9. Re:Please tell me this is satire by kanweg · · Score: 5, Interesting

    "Reality is, democratically elected parliament isn't supposed to be a bunch of elites but a cross-section of electorate. That means it needs to have a few superstitious people to be able to properly represent the population which also has such people in statistically significant amounts."

    We let the people who can cook well be cooks, the people who drive well be drivers, etc. etc. Except politicians. Apparently it is perfectly possible to run a country without any qualifications (except perhaps the skill to convince other to vote for you). Or by averaging the opinion of milions of people. That is a terrible kind of democracy.

    I would like politicians to pass various exams before they're allowed to "rule". (Logical reasoning, fallacies, decision making).
    I would like anyone to be able to comment on whatever is up for vote (in a moderated system where any comment is allowed only once). So, a single individual could change the outcome, by having a strong argument or a better idea, benefitting everyone.

    Why choose for a form of democracy that results in mediocrity, instead of excellence?

    Bert