I think you are a very talented and funny writer and appreciate your attempt to combat this orchestrated lunacy, but like the old saying goes, don’t argue with someone who buys ink by the barrel. (or cyber-presence by the gigabit.)
Sci-Babe and Rogan are both damaged people whose credibility with the scientific world is non-existent. We can’t debate science in an unmoderated blog or on Youtube and either expect to be treated fairly, or given a fair representation of an important issue. The safety of anonymity for haters (as well as proponents) allows for the unchecked craziness and vitriol you are experiencing.
As you likely have discovered, paid bloggers are being heavily utilized by various industries to steer social attitudes, marketing choices and memes and the recently increased attacks on our profession are likely a response to the search for alternatives to the opioid crisis created by Big Pharma. (if Sci-Babe ISN’T getting paid for her obfuscation and vitriol, she’s really losing out and may be more out to lunch than previously imagined.) It’s happened before (Wilk Vs. AMA, AHCPR recommendations in the 90’s, etc.) and will happen again. The stranglehold that the pharma industry has on the media, research and journal world, medical education and the feds is the result of an astounding level of profitability and they have the resources to (try to) stamp out resistance wherever and whenever. This is that.
Your and our best defense is to continue to be successful. Don’t be tempted to be drawn in to an unwinnable confrontation with these tar-babies. You are only lowering the discussion to their level. Instead, continue to be successful with the patients you care for, continue to challenge and educate yourself in as many clinical skills as you can muster and dedicate yourself to treating more conditions with more people as efficiently as possible.
The opposition is desperate. Look at how soft they are on naturopathy, acupuncture, energy medicine, etc. Those approaches don’t represent the threat to the status quo that manual and functional medicine do. They know that. And if they are successful with Sci-Babe-like and Rogan-esque tactics, who are they influencing? Not my average patient,who has been everywhere and tried everything and found relief with skilled care in my office, or the thousands of patients I’ve seen over the years who trust their medical doctor who referred them directly, based on their own experience, or hundreds of medical students who have rounded in my office over the past several years, or who were sent directly by friends and family who I’ve been able to help.
Their world and influence is crumbling. Marvel at their desperation and arrogance. Pity poor Rogan, who likely suffers from TBI, and poor Sci-Babe, who should probably try to find meaningful work, but somehow can’t. They can’t hurt us and they can’t undo our success, and they can’t participate in a meaningful debate. But, they can and will try to draw attention to themselves through ad hominem attacks, obfuscation, lying and general shouting and stomping around like angry, clever teenagers with daddy issues. Let them do themselves in. We are up to better things and if we aren’t being challenged by their likes at this point in history, we aren’t doing our job. Take that as a compliment for your choices in life.
