Trust The Science Rag
"Doctor” Fatty Arbuckle and Buster Keaton join forces to remind us “Trust the Science”
I was appalled when the Republican Governor of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson recently criticized Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for “undermining science” and medical “experts.”
This is the problem we’ve been facing for many years: obedient, non-critical people granting a monopoly to the mainstream medical and scientific community and their enablers--public health and government officials.
I decided to compose TRUST THE SCIENCE RAG to mock their specious mantra.
For the video, I edited the 1917 film “Oh, Doctor!” starring Fatty Arbuckle and Buster Keaton.
Even at that time, there were some people who were aware that they were being conned by doctors. Look at 3:14 in the video—the title card reads: “If we don’t have another epidemic soon, we’ll be out on the street begging.”
I made up my own title cards for the video (like the jokes about the Spanish Flu) but this line (in the voice of a doctor) emanates from the original film! So yes, there were some aware people even back then.
You can also listen to the song on Soundcloud here:
I could be wrong but silent films of that era tended to mock both police and doctors. At least, that's the impression I got watching many of them over the years. Art needs to challenge the people in white coats again. The hero-worship MD shows currently on the roster are running their course. I could use a seedy show about a doctor of low character and talent shilling for money showing the profession is just as vulnerable to corruption as any. Time for something like what 'The Wire' did to police shows for medicine.
Great work! Delving into the history of the medical malfeasance turned up some fascinating material for you to work with. Did you discover anything about the financial backing for the film? Like you, I am weary of trusting the science.