How to Become a Charlatan?

Financial concerns are among the many problems in our country and worldwide. People seek different jobs and ways to make easy money. One example is people seeking prominence in healthcare whom we call charlatans . Let us examine how to become a charlatan by marketing alternative medicine products without scientific evidence.

An old definition of charlatanism

Whose books were banned by Abdülhamid's administration in 1901 for social criticism, Hüseyin Rahmidescribes charlatans in his novel "Şıpsevdi":

"Charlatanism is a kind of knowledge too. It expands through talent rather than education; the profession ranges from those knowing some sciences to the utterly ignorant. Yes, charlatans have their higher and lower ranks. Their clearest sign is refusing to be silenced by any truth, inventing endless excuses, joining every debate in speech and writing, speaking as if knowledgeable about things they do not know, and successfully hiding ignorance. They claim expertise in science and technology they have read about once, heaven forbid, or never read about. Even when their claims are disproved as clearly as two times two makes four, they never accept it, insisting 'I could not make my opponent understand.' In short, they remain obstinate, cast aside embarrassment and regard every form of persuasion as acceptable to convince everyone their writing is true. However clear, orderly and proven an opponent's words, they pretend not to understand, drowning the issue in sophistry and confusion, finally driving the opponent from debate through exhaustion, hatred and disgust... Then they turn triumphantly and say:

'Did you see? With powerful proof I silenced my opponent. He could not withstand the discussion. There, he fled.'"

The following text comes from the leading international figure in "traditional, complementary and alternative treatments," Professor Dr. Edzard Ernst and was written in 2012 as How to become a charlatan . It has been translated here. We wished to share it because it fits our country’s health agenda so well.

1. Find an attractive treatment and give it a super name

Some examples heard so far include ear candles, homeopathy, aura massage, energy healing, urine therapy and so on. To build your own brand as a true charlatan, you will have to think of a new concept.

For example, claim that the ear maps the human body and that doing something strange to particular ear regions treats "all diseases." Yet treatment of this area already occurs through ear acupuncture based on scientific data. Another version is claiming supernatural powers to send patients "healing energy."

If you can invent something different, give it an unforgettable name and remain memorable.

2. Write an impressive history

After defining the treatment and its wonderful name, you need a wonderful origin story. Write a moving account of treating your dying little sister when you were 6, being inspired by an elderly aunt's dreams just after she died, or perhaps a religious connection. Imagination has no limits; just ensure the story is captivating. A film might even be made one day.

3. Add something pseudoscientific

Whether you like it or not, we live in an age where science cannot be entirely excluded from our thinking. Add at least some scientific terminology. Choose concepts only a few experts understand: quantum physics, entanglement, chaos theory and nanotechnology are good choices.

Quote ideas from important scientists, claim entire teams at United States universities work on these mechanisms, or that Nobel Prize winners and methods support your treatment. Add high technology: a shiny device with flashing lights and digital screens can be attractive. If it looks impressive, anything may work.

4. Do not forget ancient wisdom

With all this science, meaning pseudoscience , remember to remain firmly rooted in tradition. Your treatment should be based on ancient wisdom rediscovered, adapted and perfected. This convinces people it is effective and safe.

Note: Pseudoscience or fake science consists of claims, beliefs, information and practices presented with scientific arguments but lacking standards required for scientific work, such as materials, methods and testability (verifiability), or adequate scientific research support.

5. Claim it cures everything

To maximize income, you need many customers. It is therefore a good idea to assert that your treatment is a cure-all. Do not worry about the illogical nature of this claim; you can find many people willing to believe it.

6. Solve the evidence problem

Skeptics and customers will eventually demand evidence. Do not panic; it is less threatening than it sounds. Testimonials solve the problem.

You need a website where satisfied customers report treatments and describe attractively how their lives were saved. If no such customer exists, create one. Fake accounts are simple and free.

7. Show mastery of statistical deception

Some skeptics may remain unimpressed and criticize your evidence. Statistics can quiet them for a while. The general consensus among charlatans is that approximately 70% of patients benefit from placebo . Improve on this by presenting significant improvement in 76.5% of a case series of at least 5000 patients.

8. Ask for lots of money

Remember, your goal is to become rich. Demand high, even extremely high fees. If your treatment is a product sold, for example online, sell it expensively. If hands-on therapy, demand heavy fees. If teachable, train other therapists at high prices and demand commission on future earnings.

Excessive fees are the best route to fame. Have you ever heard of a famous reasonably priced charlatan?

You are now fully prepared. To avoid stumbling at the first obstacle, here are useful replies to inevitable skeptics. They are not designed to convince them, but when expressed publicly will keep popular belief on your side.

• Question: Your treatment may cause serious harm; do you accept responsibility?
• Answer: Harm? Do you know what you are talking about? Clearly not. Hundreds of thousands die annually from doctors' medicines. That is what we call harm!
• Q: Experts say your treatment is biologically implausible. What is your response?
• A: Science does not yet understand many things and never will. There are other ways of knowing; science is only one.
• Q: Can you show controlled clinical studies supporting your claims? -
• A: Clinical trials have very limited value; they are small, often biased and never reflect real life. That is why many experts seek better ways to demonstrate medical interventions' value. 
• Q: Why is your treatment so expensive? 
• A: Years of training, a full research program, ongoing audits, regulatory compliance and a large team. Do you think these are free? Personally, I would treat everyone free, but I have responsibilities to others.
• Q: Professor Ernst recently said your treatment is unproven. Is that true?
• A: That man cannot be trusted; he is in the pharmaceutical industry's hands! Anyway, did you know only 15% of conventional treatments are actually evidence-based?

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