The Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow offered a glimpse into the troubling shift away from evidence and reasoning in the public sphere as she ad-libbed through an interview last week.
Asked about the products sold through her highly profitable commercial venture Goop, Ms Paltrow was unabashed about the apology she was ordered to make for misrepresenting the miraculous healing properties of items made from quartz and jade.
“It was just a verbiage issue,” said the famously grandiloquent actress, who once described her divorce as “consciously uncoupling”.
The Goop phenomenon is one of a long line of ventures, from Paul Newman’s salad dressings to Linda McCartney’s pioneering vegetarian ready meals, that have taken a celebrity name and built around it a successful business.
Goop peddles alternative therapies and other supposedly wholesome offerings. Ms Paltrow defended “ancient healing modalities” that have worked for centuries. When challenged about this by a BBC interviewer, she spoke of the power of the human body to heal itself.
There is more and more of this thinking around. Modern medicine has lengthened life expectancy and reduced disease, but its virtues are now often lost in a rush for more folksy, “natural” remedies.
The British television medic Michael Moseley, for example, made his name promoting the 5:2 Diet, a five-days-off, two-days-on fasting regimen. Now, he is pushing the idea of using placebos − a word that, he pointed out in a recent edition of the BBC TV show Horizon, originates from the Latin for "I shall please".
On the programme, Mr Moseley followed a group of people who took dummy pills for back pain. One man used a wheelchair and was taking morphine to combat his discomfort, yet he ended up walking after taking a new kind of “medication”. These blue-and-white-striped pills were, in fact, made from ground rice. The subject proclaimed a cure, saying: “I got rid of the morphine and kept taking your pills.”
This trial of 117 people took place in the northern English town of Blackpool, a place where one in five of the working-age population has a medical diagnosis of back pain. At the trial’s end, 45 per cent of those taking the placebo pills claimed to have been cured. It is widely documented that placebos have positive effects on those to whom they are prescribed. However, these outcomes are also described as temporary and inconsistent. It is also said that placebos do not help to reverse or arrest the progression of medical conditions.
The one-off claims of televised trials can be easily dismissed, as can slick marketing that puts a modern gloss on the supposedly time-worn properties of crystals and other amulets. But gimmickry is not confined to profitable businesses fronted by entertainers. It extends deep into policy issues.
Last week also saw a great raft of publicity surrounding warnings that climate change can only be stopped if humans drastically slash meat consumption. One expert set a limit of one serving of meat a week to save the planet.
For a variety of reasons, the meat industry is a key contributor to the carbon emissions driving up temperatures across the globe. But headlines suggesting that we should basically give up meat are deeply misguided and counter-productive. Returning farming to its cottage industry roots could, after all, shrink that carbon footprint.
There are many other contributors to the warming of the planet, such as the aviation and ocean shipping industries, non-essential use of cars and all manner of other petrol-fuelled machinery. Then there's the massive environmental impact of the industrial farming of crops such as soya beans and almonds, which are used in meat and dairy substitutes and have respectively contributed to deforestation and droughts.
Many scientists themselves now say that technological solutions will probably be the only means of protecting the earth.
Meanwhile, in recent years, the majority of American states have legalised the medical use of cannabis. Europe is also jumping on the bandwagon, with Britain set to ease restrictions on the sale of cannabis-based medicine and Italy ready to make changes to its laws too.
Driving these legal changes are individual stories of suffering. People seeking to alleviate conditions such as epilepsy via the use of cannabis oil have protested the criminalisation of their needs. Politicians have responded by removing legal barriers, but lack the political will to embrace a framework that harnesses the product for medical advances.
Many plants have health benefits and a large number of highly effective pharmaceuticals are derived from natural sources, but in this instance it is not clear how the best effects are delivered. At present, this plant cannot be properly engineered to treat the specific conditions presented by sufferers, because the science behind it is so fragile.
This is an entirely typical dilemma thrown up by a rush away from best practice in the pursuit of shortcuts. The model of medical progress across the 20th century and into this one has been built on continual scientific breakthroughs by the now widely vilified Big Pharma industry.
It is understandable that people are keen to search for quick solutions that are sympathetic to their experiences. However, in so doing we often forget the basic principles that have underpinned progress. The systematic, scientific approaches that have so effectively tackled disease and suffering, and increased the length and quality of our lives remain our best hopes for the future.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)
Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Jebel Ali card
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m
2.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,400m
2.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,000m
3.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,200m
3.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m
The National selections
1.45pm: Cosmic Glow
2.15pm: Karaginsky
2.45pm: Welcome Surprise
3.15pm: Taamol
3.45pm: Rayig
4.15pm: Chiefdom
4.45pm: California Jumbo
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
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