4 ms·

I would grant that it has a lot of the trapping of the scientific method, and uses a lot of the terminology. But I think we're kidding ourselves if we pretend

by Imnimo 6y ago

I would grant that it has a lot of the trapping of the scientific method, and uses a lot of the terminology. But I think we're kidding ourselves if we pretend that there's much knowledge to be gained here. It's a non-controlled trial with n=2 using ingredients of uncertain purity and a loose experimental protocol ("We’ll add the other three peptides, take another few weeks of boosters, maybe adjust frequency and/or dosage - we’ll consider exactly what changes to make if and when the optimistic test comes back negative."). I'd certainly put the net contribution to scientific knowledge below that of someone who just signs up for a clinical trial. It's like a scientific method LARP.

jpttsn 6y ago
On the other hand, while the sample size is small, you can’t beat the representativeness of their sample. Self experiment, not in order to generalize conclusions to the rest of the world, but to find useful conclusions for own use.
- avs733 6y ago
  It does not have a sample size. It was not sampled and one is not a size. The most basic cases of statistics run on point estimate evaluations. With one datum you just have a point, not an estimate, and you cannot evaluate anything.
ChuckMcM 6y ago
Okay, I love "scientific method LARP"! Granted it is a bit elitist but still, conveys a solid point. As a counter point, was Edward Jenner[1] a LARPer or a scientist? Follow up question, was his net contribution to science "big" or "small"? [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1200696/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1200696/
- Imnimo 6y ago
  Jenner was living in the 1700s and was doing the best he could with the tools of the time. Still, his report included 20+ people, included challenge results in which subjects were exposed to smallpox to verify their immunity. If the role models for this exercise are all from the 18th century, that should ring some alarm bells.
concordDance 6y ago
He's not really Doing Science in the manner you are describing, nor is that the intent as far as I can tell. The aim is not to contribute to the body of knowledge but to inatead to experiment (yes, it is literally LARPing, but that's a perfectly fine hobby) and hopefully reduce chance of getting covid.

by Imnimo 6y ago

jpttsn 6y ago

On the other hand, while the sample size is small, you can’t beat the representativeness of their sample. Self experiment, not in order to generalize conclusions to the rest of the world, but to find useful conclusions for own use.

avs733 6y ago
It does not have a sample size. It was not sampled and one is not a size. The most basic cases of statistics run on point estimate evaluations. With one datum you just have a point, not an estimate, and you cannot evaluate anything.

ChuckMcM 6y ago

Okay, I love "scientific method LARP"! Granted it is a bit elitist but still, conveys a solid point. As a counter point, was Edward Jenner[1] a LARPer or a scientist? Follow up question, was his net contribution to science "big" or "small"? [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1200696/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1200696/

Imnimo 6y ago
Jenner was living in the 1700s and was doing the best he could with the tools of the time. Still, his report included 20+ people, included challenge results in which subjects were exposed to smallpox to verify their immunity. If the role models for this exercise are all from the 18th century, that should ring some alarm bells.

concordDance 6y ago

He's not really Doing Science in the manner you are describing, nor is that the intent as far as I can tell. The aim is not to contribute to the body of knowledge but to inatead to experiment (yes, it is literally LARPing, but that's a perfectly fine hobby) and hopefully reduce chance of getting covid.