Blue Collar Scientist

In an example of breathtaking cowardice an ISP called Netcetera has unilaterally cancelled the Quackometer blog, because some guy who promotes nutritional supplements threatened to sue them. Quackometer was devoted to telling the truth about non-evidence-based and potentially dangerous health practices.

Netcetera has written to the owner of Quackometer with the explanation:

We do not wish to be in a position where we could be taken to court, and incur the loss of time and expense that would involve. Consequently Netcetera have decided to suspend the Quackometer website, with reference to our Acceptable Usage Policy, the first part of which is quoted below.

….

1.1) Netcetera reserves the right to suspend or cancel a customer’s access to any or all services provided by Netcetera, where Netcetera decides that the account has been inappropriately used.

Apparently Netcetera believes that calling out scam artists and promoters of dangerous practices masquerading as “medicine” is improper. I can only presume that the Netcetera offices are awash in homeopathic remedies, Noni juice, and and special high-powered antioxidant supplements.

Despite having all this amazing snake oil to hand, the people at Netcetera nevertheless don’t have the magic elixir that would grow them a spine.

Skeptico is having a very good day today.

First we learned about Skeptico’s take on MySpace deleting atheist and agnostic forums when Christians tell them to:

What a bunch of sniveling cowards this Christian group must be. Rather than engage in debate with the atheists, rather than show some evidence to back up their beliefs, or even just ignore the atheists, they had to start an organized campaign to have the group deleted. Because Christians only feel safe when no one allowed to challenge their delusions.

Just when all that gets the blood moving, it turns out to be the third anniversary of Skeptico’s why did the chicken cross the road posting. I read it on my Blackberry at the cafe in the National Gallery of Art, and it provided much-needed levity in a Very Serious Place.