The Refusers: Proving Orac's corollary to Poe's Law
The anti-vaccine movement has degenerated to the point where it is impossible to distinguish real from parody. It's just like Poe's law with fundamentalists, only this time with antivaccinationists.
I sometimes wonder if a basic variety of reality-checking is inherent in being able to say that you can no longer distinguish the real thing from a parody. Knowing that the distinction exists at all is pretty vital, too.
This page contains a single entry by Serdar, published on May 19, 2010 4:46 PM.
» See all other entries for the month of May 2010.
Find recent content on the main index or look in the archives to find all content.
Evil stalks the streets of Tokyo, 1923, and will not rest until vengeance is found. Read a preview (PDF) or buy a copy now! ($12 paperback / $20 signed)
The “otaku novel”—about two guys who try to get away from it all, and end up taking it with them. Read a preview (PDF) or buy a copy now! ($12 paperback / $20 signed)
Fantasy meets psychology. A story of high adventure and deep insight in a place where desire reshapes the face of the world. Read a preview (PDF) or buy a copy now! ($12 paperback / $20 signed)
Follow me on 
Friend me on 
Friend me on 
Also on 
It's pretty terrifying if you think about it. As someone who has training in science (but shifted to art--that's a whole 'nother story), it has been jaw-dropping to watch facts gleaned from legitimate scientific process and procedure be dismissed.
It is highly important to distinguish the real deal from parody, because the consequences can range from just annoying to catastrophic.
[Reply to this comment]
Now that I think about it, this applies to creative work, too. If you can't avoid the trap of making something that plays like a bad parody of your own material, you're doomed. Look what happened to "Saturday Night Live" for a really broad example.
[Reply to this comment]
Leave a comment