recently I began instructing two 63-hour medical science courses, as happens all year round. One pet peeve I have is that the textbook doesn’t actually talk about science as a methodology / engagement with the world and people’s claims / define science. So, I spend an hour or two at the beginning covering such: science itself, placebo, double-blind trials. Videos I use include John Stossel’s expose on foot detox pads, Susan Koeppen’s on these plastic bands, and Richard Dawkins on dousing

(articles or videos area available, respectively: at http://abcnews.go.com , http://www.cbsnews.com, and http://www.youtube.com )

Anyway, the next week about ten students came in and told me about how they confronted these bracelet sellers in local malls while holiday shopping.

That was unexpected. I often forget that the classroom’s contents ACTUALLY carries over into students’ other realms.

-r.c.

“What Does the Energy Armor Band Do?
It makes you feel great! The Energy Armor bracelet contains a strong negative Ion compound made of rich natural minerals that are encapsulated in the silicone and the frequency it creates works with the body’s natural energy flow. Negative Ions have been helping mankind feel better since the beginning of time. This natural technology is quietly helping thousands of people and Energy Armor wants to be part of this solution. As a company, we want to make sure our product has benefit to those wearing it.”

Something about the writing style reminds me of the old Real Ultimate Power website. It sounds like the rambling of a preteen, or possibly something written in another language and then translated imperfectly to English.

Due to the unauthorized marketing tactics of an
independent distributor in Australia and the
proliferation of counterfeit operations of which
we obviously have no control, Power Balance
has become the target of number of class
action lawsuits.

Of course, blame the counterfeiters! I hope that doesn’t stop Power Balance from their future plans…

We will continue to bring innovative new
performance technologies to athletes around
the world, and are in the process of introducing
Performance Mouth Gear (PMG) to the
marketplace through the end of 2011 and into
2012. Created in partnership with a
neuromuscular dentist, PMG turns a traditional
mouth guard into a device to help relax the
muscles in the face and jaw, which allows for
proper alignment in the neck and spine and
optimal breathing. Featuring proprietary silicon
Bite- Pad and V- Form technologies, we are
introducing a $40 product to market that would
have cost $2 ,500 or more just one year ago.

So now their customers are bound at the wrists, and will soon have mouth implants. Phase III will obviously be an attachment at the rear end so everyone can be linked into a human centipede. Just imagine the undefeatable balance of a creature with 1,000 feet!

I haven’t been able to find details on the filing yet, but I don’t think the courts generally let you file bankruptcy just to avoid paying out on a law suit. I believe they have to be able to prove inability to pay their debts. If they see the PowerBalance business likely to maintain its current level of success with revised marketing, they might have a hard time convincing the court they will be unable to repay their debts.

It will be interesting to see the details of the filing and how it plays out in bankruptcy court. .