Ask Surly Amy
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Religion
Ask Surly Amy: Spiritual Healing
Dear Surly Amy, Could you recommend some accessible resources on the (non)efficacy of spiritual healing? I have a friend with MS. She has met a healer who claims he ‘cured’ his own MS, and can cure 50% of the people he treats. She is in emotional turmoil at the the idea of a cure. I’m very worried. The treatment is…
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Skepticism
Ask Surly Amy: Homeopathy
Dear Surly Amy, I am a college student lucky enough to have a roommate whom I love dearly. She's a wonderful friend and a very intelligent person. The only problem is that she's very into homeopathy. She grew up with it, because her mother (who is a scientist, strangely, although I know not what sort) also believes in it. She's…
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Skepticism
Ask Surly Amy: Underwire Bras and Cancer
Hi, Surly Amy. I recently went shopping with my mom and she saw that I had picked out a bra with under wire in it. She immediately began telling me that under-wire causes breast cancer and since we have a history of breast cancer, under-wired bras are a death sentence for us. I have heard a bit about the whole…
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Activism
Ask Surly Amy: Anti-Intellectualism and Spirit Animals
Dear Surly – The community I have surrounded myself with in college are feminist, social justice activists, and all around awesome people. However…this amazing community came with a great deal of pseudoscience. When were are hanging out (and sometimes even in organizational meetings) there is talk about astrological signs, spirit animals, and quack alternative medicine. I try to challenge them…
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Skepticism
Ask Surly Amy: Scared of a Potato
Hi, I wrote a really long mail first, deleted it and did the same thing all over. So I want to make this short so I’ll actually send it. I’m in a bad mental place right now and I really need someone to rationalize for me why following exclusively the diet promoted on here is not such a great idea…
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Activism
Ask Surly Amy: Feminism, Is it Even Worth it?
Dear Surly Amy, Sometimes I feel discouraged in regards to feminism or skepticism or both. I start to question my ideals and goals and wonder if they’re really worth it. Are women really less privileged or does it just seem like it? Am I using my gender as an excuse? Would society really be better off without religion in it?…
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Skepticism
Ask Surly Amy: Alt Med and and an OB/GYN
Hi Surly Amy, I’m fairly new to skepticism; among other things, I was totally into alt-med woo. I’m now trying to make evidence-based health choices. So here’s my situation: I saw a new OB/GYN today. She was really nice and comforting, listened well, and was collaborative when coming up with a treatment plan for my (complicated) issues, taking into account…
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Random Asides
Ask Surly Amy: Fake Photos
Dear Surly Amy, i met this guy over the internet about 2 months ago. we have gotten very serious. iv’e sent him photos. he has sent me photos. we have fallen so much in-love. i guess i should cut to the chase. that’s not me in the photo. ive been dishonest about what i look like. he wants to see…
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