Nature woo

From RationalWiki

"Nature woo" refers to the irrational fixation with all things deemed "natural." Although such concerns sometimes have a basis in science, any kernel of truth is usually blown way out of proportion and then coated in woo, all in the name of a campaign by the crunchier-than-thou to prove that Mother Earth loves them more than you. This stance may prove harder to maintain as time goes by due to the fact that every living organism on the planet may eventually be contaminated to some extent by Teflon^TM, heavy metals, and/or agricultural chemicals. (This, of course, ignores the fact that while soap and flouridation are man-made, cyanide and puffer-fish venom are perfectly natural.)

The opposing perspective is one of general environmentalism, maintaining our ecospheres, and not poisoning our well.

Nature woo relies on maintaining a false dichotomy between man and nature, as though Homo sapiens did not arise on the planet along with the rest of life in a competitive process.

[edit] Examples

• Alternative medicine
  • Herbalism
  • Homeopathy
• Natural parenting woo:
  • Lactivism
  • Natural childbirth and home birth
  • Vaccine hysteria
• Organic food
  • Aspartame controversy