http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/05/health/research/05placebo.html?_r=2&oref=login&oref=slogin
In marketing as in medicine, perception can be everything. A higher
price can create the impression of higher value, just as a placebo
pill can reduce pain.

Now researchers have combined the two effects. A $2.50 placebo, they
have found, works better one that costs 10 cents.


regards

-- 
web site at www.abelard.org - news comment service, logic, economics 
 energy, education, politics, etc 1,552,396 document calls in year past
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  all that is necessary for       []     walk quietly and carry
  the triumph of evil is that      []           a big stick.
  good people do nothing     []   trust actions not words
                    only when it's funny -- roger rabbit
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"abelard"  wrote in message
news:ciafe4tdojtqcpi4keb6o6vthg46icqseb@4ax.com...
>
>
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/05/health/research/05placebo.html?_r=2&oref=login&oref=slogin
> In marketing as in medicine, perception can be everything. A higher
> price can create the impression of higher value, just as a placebo
> pill can reduce pain.
>
> Now researchers have combined the two effects. A $2.50 placebo, they
> have found, works better one that costs 10 cents.
>


A bit like ' a $700 Billion dollar bailout plecebo......while looking
good...will produce exactly the same effects as tossing 10 cents into a
wishing well, benefiting the patient (the US economy) not one bit.....but
obviously benefitting the plebo traders quite substantially!
For the patient. the symptoms might ease for a while, but if there was an
underlying  disease, it will be back with a vengeance!

"onlyme"  wrote in message 
news:0d2dnbghjpTUM3rVnZ2dnUVZ8vqdnZ2d@bt.com...
>
> "abelard"  wrote in message
> news:ciafe4tdojtqcpi4keb6o6vthg46icqseb@4ax.com...
>>
>>
> http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/05/health/research/05placebo.html?_r=2&oref=login&oref=slogin
>> In marketing as in medicine, perception can be everything. A higher
>> price can create the impression of higher value, just as a placebo
>> pill can reduce pain.
>>
>> Now researchers have combined the two effects. A $2.50 placebo, they
>> have found, works better one that costs 10 cents.
>>
>
>
> A bit like ' a $700 Billion dollar bailout plecebo......while looking
> good...will produce exactly the same effects as tossing 10 cents into a
> wishing well, benefiting the patient (the US economy) not one bit.....but
> obviously benefitting the plebo traders quite substantially!
> For the patient. the symptoms might ease for a while, but if there was an
> underlying  disease, it will be back with a vengeance!

But if the patient improves because he believes the medicine is working, is 
this not a bad thing?

Gaz