Latest snake-oil scam: Philip Stein Teslar watch.

Posted by Les on Friday, August 29, 2003 at 08:16 AM. Read 59345 times. Tags: , ,
{name} pic

In addition to magnetic bracelets and shoe inserts to aid in healing and electrocution belts for weight loss, consumers looking to waste money on products with dubious medical claims can now blow their earnings on a watch that claims to protect your body from “electronic pollution” in the form of magnetic fields.

Wired News: A Watch Powered by Snake Oil

The Philip Stein Teslar watch contains a chip that works with the battery and coil to create a frequency that neutralizes the electromagnetic fields emanating from devices like cell phones, computers and radios, according to the company.

Research links electromagnetic fields with several health problems like headache, fatigue and memory loss, the company said. Those who wear the quartz watch allegedly sleep better, experience less stress and have improved concentration and more energy, it claims.

“It shields the body from these electromagnetic fields, and then the body can be more effective in taking care of itself and its immune system with those unwanted fields thrown off,” explained Ilonka Harezi, head of research for Teslar Inside, which manufactures the watch. “With us sticking cell phones to our heads, we need that protection,” Harezi said.

But others say the company’s claims are a bunch of bunk.

“There is not a chance in the world that (these types of devices) will do anything but lighten your wallet,” said John Moulder, a professor of radiation oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, who said he’s seen a slew of products that claim to do the same thing, including radio-frequency-proof lingerie.

Despite there being absolutely no scientific evidence that magnetic fields have any discernible effect on the body, and that’s something that has been studied extensively, the watches are being sold at such upscale stores as Bloomingdale’s New York and Royal Jewelers in Massachusetts for prices starting at $600 and going up to $2000 for one covered in diamonds. Needless to say, the watches are a hit among various celebrities and athletes and the clueless in general.

That’s it. I’m tired of being the only one who’s not making tons of money off of peoples’ stupidity and gullibility. I’m going to develop my own highly over-priced craptastic product with dubious medical claims that you don’t really need and start selling it to clueless idiots so I can be rich too. Perhaps it’s time I follow through on developing a patented Anti-Alien Anal Probe Ass Shield for people suffering from occasional alien anal probe syndrome. There certainly seems be enough of those people around judging from all the news items I read about it.

Link via Boing Boing.

Comments:

Page 16 of 16 pages « First  <  14 15 16

jtman United States Posted on 07/02/2008 at 01:02 PM

jtman pic

I find it so amusing how you dance around what I have said and picked out bits here and there to talk about.

If you don’t have an understanding of the physics involved then how can you judge whether or not we’ve done any research on the subject?

This makes absolutely no sense what-so-ever. The only arguement that has been made from the information you have read is that it doesn’t make sense or you don’t understand how it can work. No research has been made into why exactly this technology won’t or shouldn’t work. Just we don’t understand. How convenant.

You’re more intelligent because you admit to being too stupid to understand the science?

Too stupid? How does not having a vast knowledge of Physics make me stupid? You made no claim as to understanding the Physics involved so by association that makes you “too stupid to understand the science.”

The argument being made is that the claims of the Teslar watch people would violate known principles of physics and they provide nothing to explain how that is possible, therefore it’s wrong.

Explain to me what principles of physics are being violated by this technology. I’m ready to learn why this tech can’t work.

I may not have a vast knowledge of Physics but I can do other things.

12 Seconds to Midnight Productions
Lesley Jenkins
+1.7349818290
6934 Foxthorn
Canton, MI 48187-3018
US

Anybody want to give Lesley a Call?

Patness Canada Posted on 07/02/2008 at 01:08 PM

Patness pic

That isn’t the claim. It is said to protect from ELF. (extremely low frequency)

Extremely low frequency what? Sound? Electromagnetic waves? Hammer pounding? Power bombing? - from the article at the top of the page, 5 years ago…

“It shields the body from these electromagnetic fields, and then the body can be more effective in taking care of itself and its immune system with those unwanted fields thrown off,” explained Ilonka Harezi, head of research for Teslar Inside, which manufactures the watch. “With us sticking cell phones to our heads, we need that protection,” Harezi said.

Seems pretty clear we’re talking about electromagnetic fields (EMF). Gee, I guess they got tired of people showing that the physics behind their watch is bullshit, and they changed how their watch “worked” (or didn’t, as it were), to something so vague that you can’t know what it is.

Remember if you are going to try to disapprove it, make it so the Regular-Joe can understand atleast part of why it is wrong.

Not my responsibility to teach you physics, even the basic stuff. You can’t help people who won’t help themselves.

If you want to help yourself, learn the basic physics behind electricity. electrons, charge, current, magnetics, and EM fields. On its own, this is enough. I’ve already explained why:

-the technology behind the watch is perfectly ordinary and cannot do what it claimed to do
-the scientist who introduced the inerton has lost credibility
-the studies by said scientist have no credibility
-the studies do not adequately explain the mechanisms for the technology at hand (nothing in them directly supports what they claim the device does)
-the device is patently unbelievable.

If you can’t see that, you have a problem.

 Signature 

The Kidney Punch Of Legendary Peace

One sure and primary and fundamental fact is the joint existence of a subject and of its world. The one does not exist without the other. I acquire no understanding of myself except as I take account of objects, of the surroundings. I do not think unless I think of things — and there I find myself. - Bruce Lee

zilch United States Posted on 07/02/2008 at 01:43 PM

zilch pic

Gosh, if that watch protects against ELF, then I need one!  On second thought, there are no ELVES around here anyways…

Patness Canada Posted on 07/02/2008 at 01:45 PM

Patness pic

On second thought, there are no ELVES around here anyways…

But we do have some delicious troll. Would you care for a piece?
 Signature 

The Kidney Punch Of Legendary Peace

One sure and primary and fundamental fact is the joint existence of a subject and of its world. The one does not exist without the other. I acquire no understanding of myself except as I take account of objects, of the surroundings. I do not think unless I think of things — and there I find myself. - Bruce Lee

Les United States Posted on 07/02/2008 at 01:57 PM

Les pic

jtman writes…

I find it so amusing how you dance around what I have said and picked out bits here and there to talk about.

Certainly no worse than the several passages from replies by both myself and Patness you’ve opted to ignore.

Explain to me what principles of physics are being violated by this technology. I’m ready to learn why this tech can’t work.

It’s been explained already. Several times. Over the course of five years. Go back and read. Hell, Patness just explained it again. Zilch has mentioned several times why it doesn’t work.

Anybody want to give Lesley a Call?

Wow, you know how to look up domain registrations. That’s very impressive. I’m absolutely flabbergasted. Shame the data is out of date, but feel free to try the number anyway. Not that you need to go through that much trouble. Finding out my actual current address, I’ve not lived in Canton for two years now, and phone number wouldn’t be that hard. I am listed in the phone directory. Funny how even when you show a bit of intelligence you still manage to fuck it up.

So what was the point of that little exercise anyway? Was it meant as some sort of a threat? Just a means to show what an asshat you are? An attempt at intimidation? I’m curious what I’m supposed to take away from that demonstration. Am I suppose to think you have brains now?

 Signature 

Gods dont kill people. People with Gods kill people. - David Viaene

MisterMook United States Posted on 07/02/2008 at 06:09 PM

MisterMook pic

So what was the point of that little exercise anyway?

Defeated in his ploy to assert a degree of expert knowledge on any given subject, the internet troll often reverts to Internet Tough Guy routines. Be careful, he might leave the basement to beat you up, and he’s likely a Navy SEAL.

Zev United States Posted on 07/03/2008 at 12:02 AM

Zev pic

Patness!I understand your point.Physics and mathematic are precise sciences.It is all very clear
there,or it seems so,at this time of July 2008.The problem arise when we start to deal with human body which is a very imprecise science.When someone says that everything is clear and discovered a long ago,I always say in response that we just blew a dust from the surface,we even did not start digging yet.I read a message from the lady that suffered many years from fibromyalgia and Philip Stein watch helped her.It was posted here on discussion board.This is a remarkable success.The patients with this condition
suffer terribly,going from doctor to doctor ,trying different remedies and spending MONEY in wane.Eventually,they are labeled as narcotic-seekers.The cause of the disease is not completely understood,at this time of July of 2008.I,honestly,using terminology of Les,do not give a flying f...,if the watch emits anything or not,as long as it helps. $500 are well spent in this case.
Regarding Rolex,I own a few,Philip Stein is much more comfortable on the wrist.Even Seiko diver is much more comfortable than Rolex.The sharp edges of the back of the Rolex case and of it’s bracelet ,are uncomfortable to the skin.Rolex is a good quality watch but there are many more of other brands that look better and as good of a quality.Here,Hans Wilsdorf pulled the trick on you and many others.He used a snake-oil science of tireless,persistent marketing,advertisement that he did himself,personally.That is how Rolex became famous.Otherwise,it is a good quality but very trivial looking watch inside and out with a plain but well made mechanism.By the way,nothing costs a retail price to manufacture.A cup of coffee costs 6 cents to make but you buying it for minimum of $1 US(in the USA.In Europe you’ll pay $5).And that is all for today.I am going to sleep wearing my Philip Stein watch!!!!!!!!!!

Patness Canada Posted on 07/03/2008 at 12:19 AM

Patness pic

The problem arise when we start to deal with human body which is a very imprecise science.

Not for me, it isn’t. The problem lies with Philip Stein. If it’s so hard for us to know how the body works, why is there such a clear claim as to the many, many, many benefits of this watch? Clearly, if science doesn’t know the body, then Philip Stein can’t be doing any better.

If it helps you, go right ahead. It’s the placebo effect, though, which you could get from a nice chocolate cake, too, if you really wanted.

(I’m a comfort food fruit, I admit it).

 Signature 

The Kidney Punch Of Legendary Peace

One sure and primary and fundamental fact is the joint existence of a subject and of its world. The one does not exist without the other. I acquire no understanding of myself except as I take account of objects, of the surroundings. I do not think unless I think of things — and there I find myself. - Bruce Lee

Zev United States Posted on 07/03/2008 at 12:20 AM

Zev pic

Addendum:even 5 dollars watch costs only 1 cent or so to manufacture

Les United States Posted on 07/03/2008 at 01:58 PM

Les pic

I have a hard time believing Zev is anything close to a cardiologist just from the nonsense in his comments let alone the lack of basic typing skills.

 Signature 

Gods dont kill people. People with Gods kill people. - David Viaene

goldenbough United States Posted on 07/03/2008 at 02:14 PM

goldenbough pic

Re Zev’s comment that a woman with fibromyalgia was helped by her Philip Stein watch:  You’re becoming my amusement for the day.  I wear a Philip Stein watch all the time, and it hasn’t helped or changed anything for me.  Is my testimonial less relevant because it doesn’t support your preconceived notions?  And what the hell do Rolexes have to do with it?  Keep writing--a laugh a day is more effective than the Philip Stein I’m wearing.  By the way, my wife also has a Philip Stein, and while she likes the looks of it, her testimonial is that their claims are BS!  Now that’s two testimonials for you to consider.

Daniel New Zealand (Aotearoa) Posted on 07/09/2008 at 11:08 PM

Daniel pic

These watches are completely useless. It is a scam.

I am a watchmaker, I have replaced batteries in these watches and the movement inside is a low quality japanese miyota movement, and the glass on the case backs are covered with a tiny copper foil which deceive you into looking complicated.

There are no special features to these watches so this is just a case of buyer beware.

David Welsh United States Posted on 07/22/2008 at 06:21 PM

David Welsh pic

Why is mental illness not a physical disease.
Is the bodymind not physical?
A memory, a thought is a physical thing.
Take a look at “The Biology of Belief” by Bruce Lipton, PhD.

Les United States Posted on 07/22/2008 at 06:35 PM

Les pic

What the hell are you going on about, David?

 Signature 

Gods dont kill people. People with Gods kill people. - David Viaene

Bahamat Great Britain (UK) Posted on 07/22/2008 at 07:05 PM

Bahamat pic

On behalf of David, if memories and thoughts are just electrical signals in the brain or the way it’s wired, and charge itself is physical (ions/electrons) - then thoughts and memories are both physical things.

This being so, would make mental illness a physical thing, because it’s comprised of thoughts.
The use of the word ‘belief’ though does frighten me a bit though smile

Patness Canada Posted on 07/22/2008 at 07:37 PM

Patness pic

Bahamat Great Britain (UK) Posted

Bahamat Posted

Bahamat

Holy flying hell where have you been?

 Signature 

The Kidney Punch Of Legendary Peace

One sure and primary and fundamental fact is the joint existence of a subject and of its world. The one does not exist without the other. I acquire no understanding of myself except as I take account of objects, of the surroundings. I do not think unless I think of things — and there I find myself. - Bruce Lee

zilch Austria Posted on 07/23/2008 at 04:55 AM

zilch pic

Patness- I somehow doubt that chocolate cake would have the intensity of placebo effect that a Teslar watch does, unless it also costs $500 and is accompanied by bullshit claims of wonderworking.  That’s a powerful incentive to hope that you got something for your money, and weren’t just suckered.

Daniel- thanks.  It’s always good to hear from a Fachmann (a professional in the field).

 Signature 

You were born.  And so you’re free.  So happy birthday.
- Laurie Anderson

Bahamat Great Britain (UK) Posted on 07/23/2008 at 05:06 PM

Bahamat pic

Patness - nice to see you again smile
I’ve been on mindsay a bit under the same name, because I could find easily depressed people who were easier to influence, I think I didn’t have the energy or will to lock horns after awhile but I still am curious about this place. My techniques have changed a little, and I sometimes have to pretend I hold views I don’t to be accepted into a position where they’ll listen - like a wolf in sheeps clothing I am

My old uni email has expired and I can’t log into the old accout (it doesn’t matter) but I don’t know if really I’m going to visit much, depends how things go and what oppertunities come up, I haven’t gotten notification yet that you replied but I checked in anyway to see so that doesn’t matter either

Patness Canada Posted on 07/23/2008 at 11:56 PM

Patness pic

I work regularly, although I check this site at morning and night.

Don’t have to dress like a sheep, you just have to avert their seeing you as a wolf. People are animals. You may want to show a deer your love, but your hug looks like a show of distinct aggression. If you can understand the terms of the people you’re communicating to, you’ve learned a ton and I salute you.

If we don’t bump shoulders again, been good seeing you.

 Signature 

The Kidney Punch Of Legendary Peace

One sure and primary and fundamental fact is the joint existence of a subject and of its world. The one does not exist without the other. I acquire no understanding of myself except as I take account of objects, of the surroundings. I do not think unless I think of things — and there I find myself. - Bruce Lee

Bahamat Great Britain (UK) Posted on 07/26/2008 at 07:51 PM

Bahamat pic

(sorry for delay, I forgot lol) That is true about whether they percieve it as hotsile - which for a lot would affect their willingness to take it in.

It’s hard to not appear aggressive when trying to undermine what someone relies on to cope, and hence protects, but I try to space it out a little and show I’m human in other ways - like I made an entry about a more personal problem. The better the person was already, the faster + easier it’ll be I think and the wider the scope of what they’ll consider, which I suppose gives me a reason to at least start the ball rolling with the far-gone ones, so then they’ll accelerate.

How I have pretended to be a sheep is I use their assumptions and say stuff like “someone as loving and kind as Jesus didn’t deserve to take the blame for all of our crap - and we wouldn’t learn our lessons if we were forgiven before making the change and realising how we hurt people… etc” - so not so much challening their xianity but the abborhations of it, there will be time for stance challenge later, but for now the most important thing seems to be to get them to be good people, and to value human matters over arbitaty stuff, and to think.

Dawn Y. Alvarez United States Posted on 08/12/2008 at 01:46 AM

Dawn Y. Alvarez pic

Any chance you’ve come across the Rebuilder? It uses the Schuman Resonance 7.8 Hz to treat peripheral neuropathy. And, it’s FDA approved.
I only mention it because the Tesla watch uses a similar frequency.

zilch Sweden Posted on 08/12/2008 at 07:25 AM

zilch pic

Hmmm… Schumann resonant frequency of the Earth itself?  I smell snake oil…

 Signature 

You were born.  And so you’re free.  So happy birthday.
- Laurie Anderson

Les United States Posted on 08/12/2008 at 10:10 AM

Les pic

First I’ve heard of The Rebuilder, but their website (I won’t link to it yet) reeks of snake oil. Especially that $399 to $699 price they’re asking for it. I’m especially dubious as it lists a whole hosts of ills it supposedly “helps” with and that’s a classic snake oil promise.

I’ll dig into it further and see if I can find out anything more about it.

 Signature 

Gods dont kill people. People with Gods kill people. - David Viaene

Page 16 of 16 pages « First  <  14 15 16

Name:

Email:

Location:

URL:

Smileys


Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?

Submit the word you see below:


<< Back to main