The person of mystic holistic faith considers even the most tactful challenge to their claims as an affront to their faith. But as delusion-free voices grow more strident, mystic holistic objections do little to censor them.
The proponent of mystic holistic dreams, knowing that sound minds aim to drive a philosophical convoy through the gaping holes in their claims, senses a great threat to their quest for easy, black and white answers. So they indulge in the petty "skepticism is for narrow minds" myth, their typical way of steering clear of facts. That is, they confuse skepticism with negative thought, pessimism, and close-mindedness.
A television show claims to present reenactments of real life Ghost-busters in action; it depicts the art and mystery of the paranormal, full of strange accounts and scientific-looking equipment, but nothing else to confirm it, except reenactments, and someone's paid claim of extraordinary events. The rational person writes off such television shows.
The mystic holistic proponent lacks supporting evidence for their claims, and so are forced to use testimonials to generate publicity. Unlike a scientist who presents an abstract for a peer-reviewed journal, people who reinforce claims with anecdotes declare miraculous effects. Whether by a paid spokesperson or a deflated celebrity, the use of testimonials to hawk something predicts the advent of grand manure.
Likewise, the great holistic hero must offer some heavy evidence to bolster their claim of using hydrogen peroxide to cure cancer. Investigators rarely have the benefit of knowing whether the claims of the hero are real. Far from cooperating with investigators, the hero does not have, or will not surrender, any records, publish any results, or allow anyone to examine their methods. Absent in their appeal is the high-quality data needed to overturn everything known about hydrogen peroxide and the treatment of cancer.
Countless claims exist, and the wise use of limited research money demands that we investigate the most promising first. However, the mystic holistic proponent insists that even the most unlikely claims merit thorough scrutiny. Invariably, the proponent leaps to the example of Galileo, concluding that every new idea is a worthy one, though seldom submitting anything the time or effort.
Innumerable claims have come and gone since the time of Galileo. Most proved erroneous, and never saw the light of day.
"But the fact that some geniuses were laughed at does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses. They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright Brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown."
Carl Sagan
Most holistic claims are laughable, and doctors too find them silly. Doctors also laugh at stand up comedians. In fact, the claims put forward by practitioners of alternative medicine rank among the silliest in the world.
