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I wish the "novel discovery/technique against cancer" news items would stop appearing on hacker news. They are a staple of mainstream media, always with super p
by stevoski 11y ago
I wish the "novel discovery/technique against cancer" news items would stop appearing on hacker news. They are a staple of mainstream media, always with super promising headlines, but with nothing but a far-fetched, vague promise behind them.
As far as I can tell, they are from press releases from research centers who need to get some media attention to secure their future funding. But they are never actually cures for cancer.
- nitrogen 11y agoAs someone who does not follow the field, I enjoy knowing about new things people are working on, even if they never pan out. It helps expand the horizon of what my mind can conceive as possible.
- noonespecial 11y agoThere's a "Darmok and Jalad" xkcd for this phenomenon. Its #1217. Maybe we should just shrug and say, "hmf, just another 1217".
- MrJagil 11y agoI feel like I need some arguments and examples pertaining to this specific article to swallow your objection.
- DennisP 11y agoWe haven't "cured cancer" but the death rates for many varieties are going down. One headline this year was for an immune system therapy against advanced melanoma, which is dramatically lowering death rates in trials; I have a neighbor who's actually getting that therapy.