Nicole Kidman: Criticised for promoting a computer brain workout programme
Posted on 01/02/2008 11:07:25 PM PST by Stoat
Nicole Kidman: Criticised for promoting a computer brain workout programme
When your name's Nicole Kidman or Gwyneth Paltrow, everyone wants to hear what you have to say.
But before holding forth on their favourite remedy, celebrities should get their facts straight, experts say.
The two Hollywood actresses, along with the TV presenter Gillian McKeith and fashion designer Stella McCartney, are singled out by a charity founded to increase the public's understanding of scientific issues.
Sense About Science warned: "A small group of people in the public eye promote pseudo-science without embarrassment and cannot be dissuaded from it."
Alice Tuff, who helped compile the list of celebrity pseudo- science, said: "Celebrity lifestyles and comments have a lot of social weight. Once in the public domain, it's almost impossible for, say, a toxicologist to eclipse a Stella McCartney or a Gwyneth Paltrow in order to give the public the facts. So the pressure must be there to get it right in the first place."
Miss Kidman, who appears in the Christmas blockbuster the Golden Compass, is criticised for promoting Nintendo's computer-based mental workout programme Dr Kawashima's Brain Training.
Endorsing the game, the 40-year-old star said: "I've quickly found that training my brain is a great way to keep my mind feeling young."
However, scientists say there is scant evidence for her claim.
Dr Jason Braithwaite, a cognitive neuroscientist at Birmingham University, said: "There is no conclusive evidence showing that the continued use of these devices is linked to any measurable changes and general improvements in cognition."
Meanwhile, Gwyneth Paltrow has been singled out for her lack of knowledge of the genetics of cancer.
The actress, known to follow a wholegrain-rich, meat and caffeine-free macrobiotic diet, said recently: "I am convinced that by eating biological foods it is possible to avoid tumours."
But Professor Tim Hunt, of charity Cancer Research UK, said: "There is little evidence to implicate particular diets or particular foods with increased risk of cancer."
Also under the microscope is nutritionist Gillian McKeith. Referring to obesity among children, the presenter of Channel 4's You Are What You Eat, said: "If a quarter of kids are overweight now, then when they grow up and have kids, half of them will be overweight.
"And then if they have kids, everybody will be overweight."
But John Garrow, emeritus professor of medicine at the University of London, said: "Obesity is not mainly genetically determined, although it does 'run in families' because families share a similar environment.'
Stella McCartney is criticised for a magazine interview in which she said a chemical found in many skin creams is also found in anti-freeze. Scientists said the chemical, propylene glycol, is versatile and its use in cosmetics is not "scary".
Not all celebrities fared badly. The chef Jamie Oliver and the illusionist Derren Brown were praised for their responsible attitude to science.
Suckers for a detox in the Chinese tradition (Useless celebrity fad exposed)
Ping
Ted Danson a decade ago told us the seas would be lifeless if we didn’t “do something.” Santa Monica imposed a tax to “do something.” Turns out Ted was wrong.
Alar?
Now it is global warming. It is a means for a celebrity’s publicist to get these folks “in the news” and to show “how much I care.” They care, we all pay. Schlock science.
Shut up and act. I don’t want to hear your drivel.
LOL
They must have done brain scans on these people and found them to be lacking in well, brains.
"Smoking kills. If you’re killed, you’ve lost an important part of your life.” — Brooke Shields
“I get to go to lots of overseas places, like Canada.” — Britney Spears
“I’ve got taste. It’s inbred in me.” — David Hasselhoff
"If you think that rape should be legal, then don't vote." - Cameron Diaz
Endorsing the game, the 40-year-old star said: “I’ve quickly found that training my brain is a great way to keep my mind feeling young.”
>>>>>>Ummmm she can act, she’s pretty to look at, but her brain would make a good doorstop.
I see their movies...Will Smith’s ‘I am Legend’ was so so...
good charismatic actor but now I’m told either Tom Cruise or maybe it’s John Travolta is “mentoring” Will on scientology...
What a cryin’ shame! Always liked Will, still do, but it’s as if the body snatchers have gotten to him in real life! It’s no longer a horror flick! Truth is stranger than fiction!
I think the hollyweird crowd is good for acting and entertaining like musicians like Mick Jagger are good for....well...Music!
I’m a nurse...I’d make a HORRIBLE actor...or musician...etc.
What these loons say about religion, science or politics is much like a chimp picking stocks for me.
What happened to the days when actors and actresses like Marlene Dietrich & Jimmy Stewart actually had control of their faculties?
Now we have Brittney Spears and George Looney Clooney!
They must have done brain scans on these people and found them to be lacking in well, brains.
I guess that for many, being constantly surrounded by adoring, bootlicking fans and aides and being handed a microphone and asked to speak on any and every issue to a worldwide audience can make some people say some incredibly stupid things :-)
Sadly, the media organizations and interviewers are also not doing their jobs in editing the trash out.
(Although for so very many celebrities, "editing the trash out" would involve dispensing with the entire interview....)
((((snicker)))))
Just as big an issue today are scientists that want to be “stars”.
I disagree on the brain age game - studies have shown that dementia is less likely in people who maintain an active mental life - I’ve used the program and found it quite stimulating.
Now if she makes any medical claims that could be a problem - they would need to be documented but all I’ve heard her say was it makes her feel alert and like her mind is younger.
Agreed...I've read this in medical publications. Even something like doing crossword puzzles regularly can have a positive effect, apparently.
I think that she is being criticized for promoting this specific product as having a measurable effect when no data exists.
I am certain the fields of earth science, physical science, nutrition, international affairs, economics, etc., will soldier on very well without the aid of the celeb du jour.
Right on.
For most of them, its a real good thing they are reasonably attractive! A brain trust they are not.
I love your last line. It is too, too funny. I can hardly stop laughing. Good one.
LOL!
Although I think it's great when truly scientific concepts and principles can be brought to a wider audience, I agree that too much showmanship can cheapen and belittle an effort.
Particularly in arenas such as psychiatry and psychology, the various "celebrity psychologists" who ostensibly give people the ultimate, definitive answers the all of the problems of their lives within a 20 minute program segment are doing a tremendous disservice to their professions and also giving many people false hope and false answers.....life is 'usually' more complex than that and the more complex questions usually do not lend themselves well to minimal, cutesy answers in the context of a TV or radio program.
Er, um, no, media hypestress.
Although I think it's great when truly scientific concepts and principles can be brought to a wider audience, I agree that too much showmanship can cheapen and belittle an effort.
Particularly in arenas such as psychiatry and psychology, the various "celebrity psychologists" who ostensibly give people the ultimate, definitive answers the all of the problems of their lives within a 20 minute program segment are doing a tremendous disservice to their professions and also giving many people false hope and false answers.....life is 'usually' more complex than that and the more complex questions usually do not lend themselves well to minimal, cutesy answers in the context of a TV or radio program.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.