Latest news with #pseudoscience
New York Times
08-07-2025
- Health
- New York Times
Inside the Collapse of the F.D.A.
The reckoning that Robert Califf spent years warning about began, as so many things seem to these days, on social media. It was October 2024. His tenure as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration was winding down, and he was starting to imagine a happy retirement surrounded by grandchildren when he noticed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. taking aim at his agency, and the 19,000 or so people who worked there, on X. 'FDA's war on public health is about to end,' Kennedy wrote. 'This includes its aggressive suppression of psychedelics, peptides, stem cells, raw milk, hyperbaric therapies, chelating compounds, ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, vitamins, clean foods, sunshine, exercise, nutraceuticals and anything else that advances human health and can't be patented by Pharma. If you work for the FDA and are part of this corrupt system, I have two messages for you. 1. Preserve your records, and 2. Pack your bags.' It was a confused, almost comically pompous declaration, Califf recalls thinking, and it ought to have been the least of his concerns. Kennedy had not yet been tapped to serve as anything, let alone the highest health official in the land. Still, it struck a nerve. More and more, people seemed to clamor for things that were unproven, to question things that were and to express not only mistrust but outright hostility toward the doctors, scientists and civil servants trying to separate one from the other. That hostility was being nourished by exactly the kind of mis- and disinformation Kennedy was espousing. It was easy to paint the F.D.A. as a supervillain (an aggressive suppressor of sunlight, vitamins and exercise, to borrow Kennedy's language), in part because the truth was so much more complex. Americans have always been ambivalent about public health in general and the American regulatory project in particular. We want protection from bad food and bad medicine and other unsafe products, but we also want to draw the line between safe and unsafe for ourselves and to redraw it whenever we see fit. The F.D.A. has always reflected this tension. On the one hand, the agency's regulators have a truly enormous remit: Which drugs, medical devices, food, pet food, dietary supplements, tobacco products and cosmetics we can buy — one in every five dollars we spend, by official estimates — comes down to the decisions they make. On the other hand, the agency itself is profoundly under-resourced. The F.D.A. receives less money from Congress than any of its sibling institutions, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health. In fact, its federal budget is roughly the size of the budget of the local school district in Montgomery County, Md., where it is based. Its infrastructure is wildly inadequate: fax machines, clunky computer systems, warehouses full of paper records that should long since have been digitized. And its staff members are poorly paid and frequently outgunned by the companies they are charged with regulating. One perfect example of this dynamic involved the food and beverage industry, which Kennedy was so fond of calling out. Regulators had been working for years to get companies to reduce the salt content of their products and to add more and better 'front of package' health warnings. Critics seemed to relish pointing out that other countries managed to implement both policies to great effect and with ease. But the United States was not like other countries. In the United States, corporations had the same rights as individuals and were likely to advance legal challenges against just about any rule with which they were confronted. To prevail in court, the F.D.A. would need its own research, which it did not have the money to conduct, or industry data, which it did not have the authority to demand. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Scientists claim all men fit into six categories – take the test to see if you're an alpha, bravo, delta, gamma, omega, or sigma
From Fight Club to Gladiator, many films feature characters described as 'alpha males'. According to scientists, there are six types of men: alphas, bravos, deltas, gammas, omegas, or sigmas. Experts from IDRlabs have developed a quick Male Hierarchy Test that will reveal which category you fit into. 'The typology of male social hierarchies has become part of internet culture and is a categorization system that sorts heterosexual men into archetypes,' IDRlabs explained. 'The system has variously been called a piece of modern mythology, pseudoscience, and a great heuristic for navigating social relationships. Where in the male social hierarchy would you be?' The Male Hierarchy Test features 31 statements, which respondents are asked to respond to on a five-point scale ranging from Disagree to Agree. Statements include things like 'Being in debt doesn't worry me as long as I can see a way out of it,' 'I demand a lot from the people around me,' and 'I do not panic easily.' At the end of the test, you'll be told which personality type you have, based on your answers. 1. Alpha Male Alpha males are described as the 'leaders of the masculine social hierarchy'. These men tend to be charismatic, decisive, and willing to take risks at the top - and are usually successful with women. 'They are the type of man other men naturally want to follow,' IDRlabs explained. While alpha males in film and TV are often depicted as jocks who lord over others and enjoy telling them what to do, the experts say that this isn't the case in reality. In fact, being an alpha male is not all fun and games. 'To maintain their position in the hierarchy, alphas must grapple with the immense burdens of responsibility as others look to them for guidance and direction,' IDRlabs explained. Alpha males also tend to be very protective of their status. 'If the alpha senses that someone is threatening to challenge him or undermine his authority, he will strike back with impunity,' the experts explained. 'On the flip side, alphas tend to be very friendly and generous toward those who support their position as leader.' Examples of alpha males from TV shows and films include Captain America, Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders, and Maximus from Gladiator. 2. Bravo Male Bravo males are the 'lieutenants' of the masculine social hierarchy, according to IDRlabs. And contrary to popular belief, bravos are not at the bottom of the hierarchy - they're actually near the top. 'They are usually found in close proximity to the alpha, where they act as his trusted advisors and perform essential roles in the hierarchy,' the experts explained. As loyal 'staff' to the alpha, bravos also get to enjoy many of the benefits of high social status. 'They are usually well-liked by women and enjoy the privileges of rank while avoiding the intense burdens of responsibilities the alpha has to bear,' IDRlabs said. 'Because they do not have to constantly fight for their position the way alphas do, bravos can also afford to be a bit friendlier with people.' While alpha males tend to get most of the glory, bravos are 'crucial' to stable hierarchies, as they enforce the alpha's vision to maintain order and structure. Ron Weasley from Harry Potter, and Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings are both examples of classic bravo males. 3. Delta Male Delta males are described as the 'workers' of the masculine social hierarchy. They consist of 'normal guys' who are not necessarily interested in fighting for dominance, and instead pride themselves on 'getting the job done'. 'Deltas are also the type that is most likely to move up or down the hierarchy as they develop their skills and their industriousness makes them indispensable,' IDRlabs said. However, this attitude can land them in trouble. 'Because they tend to be frank and straightforward, expecting sincerity and decency in others, deltas may sometimes be exploited – by friends, family or romantic partners – who are associating with the delta to milk them for favors and resources rather than because they like them,' IDRlabs explained. 'Deltas would do well to remember that their earnestness and resources are likely to attract freeloaders.' Delta males from TV and film include Marty McFly from Back To The Future, and Frodo Baggins from Lord of the Rings. 4. Gamma Male Gamma males are the 'intellectuals' of the masculine social hierarchy. These men tend to be 'book smart', but lack the social skills, money, looks, or mental toughness needed to establish dominance. 'Because intellect is their strength, gammas often overstress the intellectual side of life, believing that it alone should determine who makes it to the top,' IDRlabs said. 'To gammas, it will often seem unfair that their intellectual inferiors are the ones to rise to the top.' Dismissed by women: Many gamma males like Tony Stark consider themselves 'secret kings' who should actually be in charge Many gamma males consider themselves 'secret kings' who should actually be in charge. But since they tend to be dissatisfied with their position, women tend to pick up on their frustration and dismiss them. 'This can keep gammas from realizing their full potential, leaving them in a "gamma trap",' the experts warned. Examples in TV and film include Jack Sparrow from Pirates Of The Caribbean, Tony Stark from Ironman, and Han Solo from Star Wars. 5. Omega Male At the bottom of the masculine social hierarchy is the omega male - the polar opposite of the alpha male. These men are often seen as social outcasts, lacking social skills and tending to be introverted, with no self-confidence. Omegas - often depicted as nerds or geeks - usually cling to others due to fear of being lonely. Unfortunately, these traits mean they are usually unpopular - particularly among women. Peter Parker from Spiderman, and Walter Mitty from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty are classic examples of omega males. 6. Sigma Male Finally, we have sigma males, who shun the masculine social hierarchy altogether. These 'lone wolves' turn their backs on the norms of society, and pursue their own path instead. This can make sigmas unpopular with alphs and bravos, who don't trust them. However, among women, sigmas usually prove to be a hit. 'Women often find the self-determination and detachment of sigmas attractive, so sigmas are likely to do well with the opposite sex,' IDRlabs explained. Unsurprisingly, sigmas are often romanticized in internet culture. 'However, opting out of the social order is often a high-risk play that is not guaranteed to go well,' IDRlabs added. 'There is no denying, however, that when a sigma does manage to be successful, his lifestyle tends to come with a certain glamor and mystique.' James Bond, Bruce Wayne, and John Wick are all examples of typical sigma men.
Daily Mail
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
What's YOUR personality type? Scientists say all men fit into 6 categories – take the test to see if you're an alpha, bravo, delta, gamma, omega, or sigma
From Fight Club to Gladiator, many films feature characters described as 'alpha males'. But did you know that there are actually six categories of men? According to scientists, all men are either alphas, bravos, deltas, gammas, omegas, or sigmas. So, which one are you? Experts from IDRlabs have developed a quick Male Hierarchy Test that will reveal which category you fit into. 'The typology of male social hierarchies has become part of internet culture and is a categorization system that sorts heterosexual men into archetypes,' IDRlabs explained. 'The system has variously been called a piece of modern mythology, pseudoscience, and a great heuristic for navigating social relationships. 'Where in the male social hierarchy would you be?' The Male Hierarchy Test features 31 statements, which respondents are asked to respond to on a five-point scale ranging from Disagree to Agree. Statements include things like 'Being in debt doesn't worry me as long as I can see a way out of it,' 'I demand a lot from the people around me,' and 'I do not panic easily.' At the end of the test, you'll be told which personality type you have, based on your answers. 1. Alpha Male Alpha males are described as the 'leaders of the masculine social hierarchy'. These men tend to be charismatic, decisive, and willing to take risks at the top - and are usually successful with women. However, it's not all fun and games. 'To maintain their position in the hierarchy, alphas must grapple with the immense burdens of responsibility as others look to them for guidance and direction,' IDRlabs explained. Examples of alpha males from TV shows and films include Captain America, Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders, and Maximus from Gladiator. 2. Bravo Male Bravo males are the 'lieutenants' of the masculine social hierarchy, according to IDRlabs. And contrary to popular belief, bravos are not at the bottom of the hierarchy - they're actually near the top. 'They are usually found in close proximity to the alpha, where they act as his trusted advisors and perform essential roles in the hierarchy,' the experts explaind. As loyal 'staff' to the alpha, bravos also get to enjoy many of the benefits of high social status. In fact, they tend to be well-liked by women, and are even seen as friendlier than alpha males. Ron Weasley from Harry Potter, and Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings are both examples of classic bravo males. 3. Delta Male Delta males are described as the 'workers' of the masculine social hierarchy. They consist of 'normal guys' who are not necessarilty interested in fighting for dominance, and instead pride themselves on 'getting the job done'. However, this attitude can land them in trouble. 'Because they tend to be frank and straightforward, expecting sincerity and decency in others, deltas may sometimes be exploited – by friends, family or romantic partners – who are associating with the delta to milk them for favors and resources rather than because they like them,' IDRlabs explained. 'Deltas would do well to remember that their earnestness and resources are likely to attract freeloaders.' Delta males from TV and film include Marty McFly from Back To The Future, and Frodo Baggins from Lord of the Rings. 4. Gamma Male Examples in TV and film Alpha - Captain America, Tommy Shelby, Maximus Bravo - Ron Weasley, Samwise Gamgee Delta - Marty McFly, Frodo Baggins Gamma - Jack Sparrow, Tony Stark, Han Solo Omega - Peter Parker, Walter Mitty Sigma - James Bond, Bruce Wayne, and John Wick Gamma males are the 'intellectuals' of the masculine social hierarchy. These men tend to be 'book smart', but lack the social skills, money, looks, or mental toughness needed to establish dominance. 'Because intellect is their strength, gammas often overstress the intellectual side of life, believing that it alone should determine who makes it to the top,' IDRlabs said. 'To gammas, it will often seem unfair that their intellectual inferiors are the ones to rise to the top.' Since gammas tend to be dissatisfied with their position, women tend to pick up on their frustration and dismiss them. Examples in TV and film include Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean, Tony Stark from Ironman, and Han Solo from Star Wars. 5. Omega Male At the bottom of the masculine social hierarchy is the omega male. These men usually lack social skills and tend to be introverted, with no self-confidence. Unfortunately, these traits mean they are usually unpopular - particularly among women. Peter Parker from Spiderman, and Walter Mitty from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty are classic examples of omega males. 6. Sigma Male Finally, we have sigma males, who shun the masculine social hierarchy altogether. These 'lone wolves' turn their backs on the norms of society, and pursue their own path instead. This can make sigmas unpopular with alphs and bravos, who don't trust them. However, among women, sigmas usually prove to be a hit. 'Women often find the self-determination and detachment of sigmas attractive, so sigmas are likely to do well with the opposite sex,' IDRlabs explained. James Bond, Bruce Wayne, and John Wick are all examples of typical sigma men. In a recent study, scientists found that being a vegetarian makes both women and men less attractive as potential partners. Male vegetarians are also viewed as less masculine, according to the researchers. 'Women who reject traditional masculinity based on strength and dominance may perceive male vegetarians differently than those who embrace traditional masculinity,' they said.
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Historian who Joe Rogan slammed as his 'worst ever guest' hits back about what REALLY happened behind scenes
The archaeologists Joe Rogan deemed his 'worst guest' has broken his silence on the backlash he faced, saying the podcaster was out to ruin his reputation. Archaeologist Dr Zahi Hawass joined Rogan on May 13 to discuss the mysteries of ancient Egypt, but the former Minister of Antiquities gave dismissive responses, continually interrupted and answered nearly every question with 'it's in my book.' The combative discussion led Rogan to saying Dr Hawass was 'the worst podcast he has ever done,' calling him 'closed-minded' and a gatekeeper of all the knowledge about Egypt. Dr Hawass has now hit back at the claims, saying Rogan had an agenda to undermine his credibility. Speaking on an Egyptian talkshow this week, Dr Hawass said Rogan skewed towards topics 'like Atlantis and aliens', ideas he has long dismissed as pseudoscience. 'I spent 25 years holding debates against people like Graham Hancock, Robert Bauval and John Anthony West, who argued that the pyramids and the Sphinx were built 15,000 years ago by people from Atlantis,' Dr Hawass said. 'Thank God I stood up against their ideas, not just in Egyptian newspapers but internationally as well. I told Rogan I have nothing to do with these matters.' The original podcast between Joe and Dr Hawass exploded when Rogan called a discovery beneath the Giza pyramids 'fascinating,' while Dr Hawass quickly dismissed it as 'bulls***.' In March, a team of Italian researchers released satellite images that appeared to reveal massive vertical shafts stretching more than 2,000 feet under the Khafre pyramid, one of the three ancient structures at Giza. During the podcast with Dr Hawass, Rogan asked about evidence for pyramid construction tools and other findings. But instead of answering directly, Dr Hawass repeatedly redirected him to his book and interrupted follow-up questions, frustrating many listeners. 'Are there photos of this online?' Rogan asked. 'Yes, in my book,' the archaeologist replied. 'How can this man, Joe Rogan, not read my book before I arrived?' Dr Hawass asked on Tuesday, saying his book is the only book in the world written about Giza with the utmost skill. How can he not have read it?' Dr Hawass also cut off Rogan repeatedly on the podcast, something many users on X pointed out as a recurring pattern. 'He literally couldn't let Joe finish one sentence,' one user posted. 'Why are they attacking me? Because I held my own against Joe Rogan? Because I was confident?' Dr Hawass said as reported on by The National. 'Why would my confidence offend him? Did they even understand what our conversation was about? Did they even understand what this man was really saying?' The podcast episode went viral on X, with many users criticizing Dr Hawass as 'a failure.' One Joe Rogan fan account posted: 'Zahi Hawass is full of it. Joe Rogan did a great job exposing him.' The controversy centers on claims by Corrado Malanga with the University of Pisa, Filippo Biondi from the University of Strathclyde, and Egyptologist Armando Mei, who shared satellite images allegedly showing vertical shafts beneath the Khafre pyramid. Their work has not yet been peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal. Rogan, however, pointed to how the researchers used their technology to map the interior structures of the Tomb of Osiris. When Rogan mentioned the scans of the Tomb of Osiris, Dr Hawass interrupted, saying, 'I discovered it.' The Osiris Shaft, an ancient underground burial complex in Giza, is known for its three levels, including an entry chamber, a room with sarcophagi and a flooded subterranean chamber believed to be a symbolic tomb of Osiris. 'I know, I understand, you found it,' Rogan responded. 'But they also showed that it exists using the same technique.' Rogan tried once more to clarify that while Hawass discovered the tomb, the satellite imaging used by the scientists appeared to confirm and visualize known structures. Dr Hawass dismissed the team's findings as false, even as Rogan pointed out that their techniques appear to verify discoveries Hawass himself made. The archaeologist pushed back on the claims, arguing that the radar technology cannot penetrate beneath the pyramid to the extent the Italian researchers suggest. He stated that it only captured data about 50 feet below the Tomb of Osiris. 'Right, but it's showing that at least for 50 feet, the imaging is accurate,' Rogan responded. 'So what makes you believe those scientists over the team from Italy?' Dr Hawass replied that the scientists he consulted had told him the technology was unreliable. 'Well, these are scientists as well,' said Rogan. Dr Hawass added that he has not spoke with the Italian researchers, but Biondi told that he and his team sent an official inquiry to the Egyptian Ministry of Culture some time ago, but never received a response. Rogan pressed Dr Hawass on why he so firmly dismissed the satellite-based findings. 'So why are you dismissing it?' Rogan asked. 'I understand they published their findings, and you're saying scientists told you it's not true, but scientists are wrong all the time, especially biased ones.'
The National
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass hits back at criticism over Joe Rogan interview
Renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass has hit back at criticism from Egyptians on social media over his controversial interview with Joe Rogan and accused the US media personality of focusing his questions on topics he had long dismissed as pseudoscience. The nearly two-hour interview, which was released on podcast platforms and on YouTube on May 14, touched on Mr Hawass's extensive career and his work at the pyramids and other pharaonic sites at the Giza Plateau on the outskirts of Cairo. However, the conversation quickly became contentious, leading many viewers to criticise Mr Hawass for his combative demeanour and refusal to engage in meaningful discussions about his research. A week after its release, Rogan described the episode as 'the worst podcast I have ever done" but also "maybe a good one, too', during an interview with NFL superstar Aaron Rodgers. Rogan's remarks, including his characterisation of Mr Hawass as 'a closed-minded fellow' who was 'gatekeeping all the knowledge', have caused a stir on Egyptian social media. Many online comments criticised Mr Hawass interrupting Rogan's questions and his dismissal of attempts to explore alternative theories about the pyramids and the Sphinx. According to one viewer who spoke to The National, Mr Hawass exhibited a 'severe and sometimes aggressive' unwillingness to entertain doubts or alternative perspectives about his work. "Throughout the interview, Mr Hawass repeatedly interrupted Rogan, deflected detailed questions about his work, and emphasised his authority and legacy rather than addressing the topics at hand," said one viewer, who asked to remain anonymous. Critics on YouTube and social media also accused Mr Hawass of arrogance. One commenter noted that rather than engaging with Rogan's questions, Mr Hawass repeatedly insisted his word as the 'foremost expert on ancient Egypt' should suffice. Mr Hawass, who is on a lecture tour in the US, was not immediately available for comment but his media liaison Ali Abou Dsheish told The National he was "very upset" by the criticism. The former Minister of Antiquities appeared on an Egyptian talk show on Tuesday night to defend himself. 'How can this man, Joe Rogan, not read my book before I arrived?' Mr Hawass asked angrily, referring to Giza and the Pyramids, a 1,000-page study co-written with American archaeologist Mark Lehner. 'The only book in the world written about Giza with the utmost skill. How can he not have read it?' Mr Hawass went on to question criticism of his interview. 'Why are they attacking me? Because I held my own against Joe Rogan? Because I was confident? Why would my confidence offend him? Did they even understand what our conversation was about? Did they even understand what this man was really saying?' He reiterated that his decades of research had definitively proven how the pyramids were built, a subject that continues to baffle many archaeologists. During the Rogan interview, he repeatedly referred to his book as the definitive source on the topic. However, viewers noted he failed to provide detailed answers to some of Rogan's more technical questions, particularly about construction techniques. On the talk show, Mr Hawass suggested Rogan's line of questioning was influenced by an agenda to undermine his credibility. He claimed the interview, arranged a year ago by alternative historian Graham Hancock, with whom Mr Hawass recently resolved a 25-year dispute, was unfairly skewed towards topics "like Atlantis and aliens", subjects he has long dismissed as pseudoscience. 'I spent 25 years holding debates against people like Graham Hancock, Robert Bauval and John Anthony West, who argued that the pyramids and the Sphinx were built 15,000 years ago by people from Atlantis,' Mr Hawass said. 'Thank God I stood up against their ideas, not just in Egyptian newspapers but internationally as well. I told Rogan I have nothing to do with these matters.' One of the most heated moments during the Rogan interview occurred when he brought up a recent study by Italian researchers Filippo Biondi and Corrado Malanga. The study, which used tomography technology, suggested the existence of hidden shafts, tunnels and passages beneath the Giza Plateau. Mr Hawass told Rogan the study was 'completely false' and that, not being a radar expert himself, he had consulted with the best imaging experts he knew and they had categorically discredited it. While the Italian researchers have gained credibility in recent months, their work remains controversial and has yet to be widely accepted by the archaeological community.
