# Pseudoscience in a TV commercial **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 5, 2005, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720 "2005-08-05T15:13:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/1 "2005-08-05T15:13:16Z")
Now I’ll be the first to admit that most, if not all, TV commercials are lies, damn lies, and lies wrapped up in a crisp taco shell, just 99 cents while offers last. But there was one I saw the other day that had me rolling on the floor. It was for some medication. Probably for weight loss, but I can’t remember. As I remember, they were making some pretty strong claims, like it was the only method ever invented, ever, that actually resulted in weight loss. Unlike the grapefruit diet and the breadfruit diet and the Fruity Pebbles diet, this one really works! “And it’s perfectly safe. It’s homeopathic!” ---
**Author:** ![Spatial\_Rift\_47](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@Spatial\_Rift\_47](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spatial_Rift_47)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/2 "2005-08-05T15:20:08Z")
:: raises hand :: Uh, may I leave the planet now? Please? ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/3 "2005-08-05T15:32:56Z")
Well, at least that claim is _true_, since distilled water is 100% safe to consume. If it is, indeed homeopathic, unlike, e.g., Zicam, which is labeled as “homeopathic” to avoid regulation, but which isn’t really, since it contains siginficant amounts of zinc. And if it is, indeed, pure distilled water. Which you wouldn’t know for sure, since the FDA has no power to regulate homeopathic remedies, as they are niether foods nor drugs. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/4 "2005-08-05T15:37:37Z")
> [@Podkayne](#): > > If it is, indeed homeopathic, unlike, e.g., Zicam, which is labeled as “homeopathic” to avoid regulation, but which isn’t really, since it contains siginficant amounts of zinc. In fact, I think it might have been for Zicam. Which not only makes them morons, but lying bastard morons. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/5 "2005-08-05T15:51:56Z")
My favorite pseudo-science in commercials is when they show how medicine works. They show the animated human figure with a red bit in the head or the stomach that represents the pain or the indigestion or whatever. Then they show the medicine going down the throat and towards the red bit. Then it dissolves the red bit. And that’s how medicine works. I learn a lot from those commercials. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/6 "2005-08-05T16:11:17Z")
> [@Podkayne](#): > > Well, at least that claim is _true_, since distilled water is 100% safe to consume. Of course, water in sufficient (read: excessive) quantity can kill ya too. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/7 "2005-08-05T16:18:48Z")
If I understand homeopathic medicine (not Homeropathic, that is for Cafe Society Simpsons threads) the lower the concentration the more effective. Then shouldn’t deionized water be the most effective possible medication since it has the lowest concentrations of medicines? Then again it has the lowest concentration of poisons so they probably just balance out. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/8 "2005-08-05T16:29:27Z")
> [@Padeye](#): > > Then shouldn’t deionized water be the most effective possible medication since it has the lowest concentrations of medicines? But you still have to get the water to remember the toxins. It’s all about the water memory. What if the water has alzheimer’s? ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/9 "2005-08-05T19:45:53Z")
This may not be quite in the same vein of “bad science” in that it’s not meant to mislead people into buying phony medications, but it’s always bugged me how those ads for the “Mach 3” razors from Gillette show this supersonic fighter jet zooming along… breaking Mach 1 _BOOM_, then Mach 2 _BOOM_, and gloriously, MACH3 _BOOM_! True, going the speed of sound is called “Mach 1”, and going twice the speed of sound is “Mach 2”, etc. And there is a “sonic boom” phenomenon when the speed of sound is broken. BUT, there is no boom at Mach 2 and Mach 3! These aren’t the same note at different octives! ---
**Author:** ![Daithi\_Lacha](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daithi_lacha/32/5430_2.png) [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/10 "2005-08-05T19:54:44Z")
What kills me is that these diet pills claim to really REALLY work - - when taken, of course, with a sensible diet & regular exercise. Uh … :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/11 "2005-08-05T20:00:36Z")
> [@Cliffy](#): > > Of course, water in sufficient (read: excessive) quantity can kill ya too. > > –Cliffy 'Bout an inch or two in the bottom of a bathtub would do. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/12 "2005-08-05T20:17:47Z")
> [@Daithi Lacha](#): > > What kills me is that these diet pills claim to really REALLY work - - when taken, of course, with a sensible diet & regular exercise. > > Uh … > > :rolleyes: Reminds of when they put a bowl of some frosted, candy cereal next to a a complete breakfast (juice, milk, toast, fruit) and then say it’s “part of this complete breakfast.” ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/13 "2005-08-05T20:40:19Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Reminds of when they put a bowl of some frosted, candy cereal next to a a complete breakfast (juice, milk, toast, fruit) and then say it’s “part of this complete breakfast.” Yeah, the frosted candy part. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/14 "2005-08-05T20:48:47Z")
Well, “it’s the colorful landscaping for this already-complete breakfast” wouldn’t sell very much product. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2005, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/15 "2005-08-05T22:52:51Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Reminds of when they put a bowl of some frosted, candy cereal next to a a complete breakfast (juice, milk, toast, fruit) and then say it’s “part of this complete breakfast.” I think it was Dave Barry who pointed out you could say the same about a dead bat or a can of shaving cream. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/16 "2005-08-06T00:49:27Z")
What I want to know is how those mops that use static cling to “grab” onto the dust bunnies and pet hair work. Doesn’t the static discharge after awhile? ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/17 "2005-08-06T02:05:34Z")
> [@robardin](#): > > This may not be quite in the same vein of “bad science” in that it’s not meant to mislead people into buying phony medications, but it’s always bugged me how those ads for the “Mach 3” razors from Gillette show this supersonic fighter jet zooming along… breaking Mach 1 _BOOM_, then Mach 2 _BOOM_, and gloriously, MACH3 _BOOM_! > > True, going the speed of sound is called “Mach 1”, and going twice the speed of sound is “Mach 2”, etc. And there is a “sonic boom” phenomenon when the speed of sound is broken. BUT, there is no boom at Mach 2 and Mach 3! These aren’t the same note at different octives! With all due respect; The “boom” just follows merrily along behind the plane at any speed above Mach 1. It doesn’t just happen once as you go thru the transonic part of the envelope. So actually, there _is_ a boom at Mach 3 (at least if you’re close enough). Cheers. PS. If you ask nice, I’ll explain to everyone the exact definition of “pedantic”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/18 "2005-08-06T02:23:09Z")
That’s nothing. Pay attention to the commercials for cosmetics and personal care products. Now, would somebody care to explain what _Elastiumsup[/sup]_ is? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![TJdude825](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@TJdude825](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJdude825)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/19 "2005-08-06T08:01:19Z")
> [@Cliffy](#): > > Of course, water in sufficient (read: excessive) quantity can kill ya too. > > –Cliffy Especially distilled water. IIRC from 10th grade Biology, distilled water flows into cells and causes them to burst, much more than regular water does, what with its lack of solutes or somesuch. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2005, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720/20 "2005-08-06T08:02:46Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > What I want to know is how those mops that use static cling to “grab” onto the dust bunnies and pet hair work. Doesn’t the static discharge after awhile? The one my mom had had to be recharged by rubbing it through your hand, like rubbing a perspex rod on your jersey. It did work very well on pet hairs. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pseudoscience-in-a-tv-commercial/315720.md?page=2)