David Tuller: Trial by Error: Sir Simon Scores an Own Goal

[Andy]

From the start, one of my strategies for this PACE-debunking project was to draw in outside experts–people with no ax to grind and no pre-conceived notions about the trial and its methodology–and encourage them to scrutinize the matter. It was telling that many well-regarded scientists and researchers were willing to make scathing public comments about PACE and the related claims being made by the CBT/GET ideological brigades. When Bruce Levin, a professor of biostatistics at Columbia, calls something “the height of clinical trial amateurism,” people should pay attention and stop maligning PACE critics as being irrational, anti-science or vexatious.

That’s why I’m delighted that Simon Wessely himself, in a recent Twitter exchange, invited Mike Godwin, an American attorney and social commentator, to review the PACE trial controversy. After scrutinizing the published record, including the PACE research and the special issue of the Journal of Health Psychology dedicated to the issue, Godwin pronounced PACE to be “so profoundly flawed that it cannot be trusted.” In response, Sir Simon attempted to re-direct the narrative, reiterating his own positive beliefs about the trial. What he fails to understand is that, despite his knighthood and his widely hailed courage in “standing up for science,” his beliefs and opinions are irrelevant here. In this case, the facts are what count.

http://www.virology.ws/2018/06/18/trial-by-error-sir-simon-scores-an-own-goal/

 

[Wonko]

I'm fairly sure there are words to describe someone who refuses to accept an evident reality, in the face of virtually unanimous agreement that they aren't just wrong, they are suspension bridge wrong.

One of the kinder words is "delusional"

Given that the consequences of their refusal to accept reality have been impoverishment, death and other associated harms to M.E. sufferers it occurs to me that more appropriate words could be used.

"Criminally Insane" are just two that come to mind.

 

[Trish]

Excellent, thank you @dave30th . That twitter thread is so entertaining.

Another own goal today - the denial of involvement in PACE when his role is documented.

Lots of own goals from Sharpe too...

 

[Barry]

Excellent, thank you @dave30th . That twitter thread is so entertaining.

Another own goal today - the denial of involvement in PACE when his role is documented.

Lots of own goals from Sharpe too...

That's why I think these twitter exchanges are beneficial. They don't seem to realise how much evidence they are providing (even if much is circumstantial, there is lots of it accumulating now), as they make slip up after slip up. And it is their choice.

 

[Robert 1973]

Excellent, thank you @dave30th That twitter thread is so entertaining.

Yes, that I have been laughing so much (despite feeling like sh*t) is another sure sign that we are winning.

Here’s where the Godwin/Sharpe/Weesly Tweets start in the S4ME discussion for anyone whose not been following: https://www.s4me.info/threads/micha...ohnthejack-on-twitter.3464/page-45#post-80392

That's why I think these twitter exchanges are beneficial. They don't seem to realise how much evidence they are providing (even if much is circumstantial, there is lots of it accumulating now), as they make slip up after slip up. And it is their choice.

I just wish Chalder was on Twitter!

[Edited to correct typo]

 

[Forbin]

It is not just because of the inevitable Titanic association, although that’s a problem...

Personally, I can't imagine anyone being so crass as to hijack the Knight-errant's ocean-liner metaphor simply for the purpose of comparing the fateful story of the S.S. Titanic with the increasingly desperate attempts to save PACE.

 

[Alvin]

Perhaps Godwin’s honest assessment will finally help Sir Simon accept with grace and humility what experts around the world have recognized: PACE is a piece of crap.

Not a chance. Reality denial demands that you deny the reality that you don't want to know at absolutely any cost. When the consequences come to bear they blame scapegoats. He cannot admit the truth for multiple reasons from ego to reputation, legacy, criminal or legal sanction, loss of his medical license, self worth, and his need to harm patients by imposing his will upon them.
He believes himself to be benevolent and right, its us thats wrong and he is trying to save us for our own good with his bravery. If he is doing the right thing why would he admit fault because he is not wrong.

 

[Barry]

will finally help Sir Simon accept with grace and humility

 

[Sean]

He cannot admit the truth for multiple reasons from ego to reputation, legacy, criminal or legal sanction, loss of his medical license, self worth,...

Not to mention a well above average income stream.

 

[dave30th]

Not a chance.

Well I don't expect it. I guess it was meant to be aspirational...

 

[Alvin]

Not to mention a well above average income stream.

Indeed, fraud does pay in psychology

Well I don't expect it. I guess it was meant to be aspirational...

Indeed.
Human nature is one of my interests so of course i am very against fraudsters like the PACErs but i have tried to understand how they work which also applies to things like politics, creative destruction being fought by oil/coal against climate change mitigation, cigarette companies fighting science and so on. I think of it as developing strategy for the adversary at hand (and strong rambling at bed time while extra tired )

 

[Sly Saint]

Just for reference, there is a list of SW supporters who signed a letter published in the Independent in 2012:
"So it is with sadness that we read in The Independent on Sunday reports of false allegations made against Simon Wessely - one of the few UK clinicians with a specialist interest in treating CFS/ME and someone who has done pioneering research in the field."

full letter

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME is a debilitating condition affecting some 1 per cent of the UK population (“ME: bitterest row yet in a long saga”, 25 November). We believe this serious illness needs improved treatments and care, and that research is central to making this happen.

However, researchers in the field have been the target of a campaign to undermine their work and professional credibility. This harassment risks undermining research in the field, preventing the development of new treatments and discouraging specialist clinicians from entering the field. We fear that this may have resulted in patients not receiving the best treatments or care – staying ill for longer and not being able to live their life to its full potential.

So it is with sadness that we read in The Independent on Sunday reports of false allegations made against Simon Wessely - one of the few UK clinicians with a specialist interest in treating CFS/ME and someone who has done pioneering research in the field. Ironically, it was because of accusations like this that Professor Wessely received the award in the first place.

signed by:
Professor Peter White, Professor of Psychological Medicine, Queen Mary University of London

Professor Michael Sharpe, Professor of Psychological Medicine, University of Oxford

Dr Esther Crawley, Reader in Child Health, University of Bristol

Professor Stephen Holgate CBE, MRC Clinical Professor of Immunopharmacology, University of Southampton

Professor Rona Moss-Morris, Head of Health Psychology, King’s College London

Dr Charlotte Feinmann, Reader , UCL

Professor Hugo Critchley, Chair in Psychiatry, Brighton and Sussex Medical School

Dr Brian Angus, Reader in Infectious Diseases, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of oxford

Dr Steven Reid, Clinical Director for Psychological Medicine, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Professor Patrick Doherty, Professor of Rehabilitation, York St John University

Professor Paul Little, Professor of Primary Care Research, University of Southampton

Dr Maurice Murphy, HIV Consultant, Barts Health NHS Trust

Professor Tim Peto, Consultant in Infectious Diseases and General Medicine, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford

Professor Sir Mansel Aylward, Chair, Public Health Wales, Cardiff University

Dr Alastair Miller, Consultant Physician, Royal Liverpool University Hospital

Professor Diane Cox, Professor of Occupational Therapy, University of Cumbria

Professor Jonathan Sterne, Professor of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, University of Bristol

Dr Margaret May, Reader in Medical Statistics, University of Bristol

Professor George Davey-Smith, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, University of Bristol

Dr Jade Thai, Senior Research Fellow, University of Bristol

Dr Gabrielle Murphy, Clinical Lead Physician, Fatigue Service, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Dr Hazel O'Dowd, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and CFS/ME Team Leader, Frenchay Hospital Bristol

Dr Brian Marien, Director, Positive Health

Professor Willie Hamilton, Professor of Primary Care Diagnostics, University of Exeter

Dr Selwyn Richards, Consultant Rheumatologist, Poole Hospital NHS Trust

Professor Alison Wearden, Professor of Health Psychology, University of Manchester

Professor Trudie Chalder, Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College London.

https://www.independent.co.uk/voice...-online-postings-2-december-2012-8373777.html