On the ineffectiveness of provoking distrust

Witkowski (2009, this issue) accomplished a successful hoax publishing an article in the popular science magazine "Charaktery" that reviewed a bogus therapy that readers found interesting and believable. This commentary approaches the debate from two standpoints: 1) hoax type of provocations should be addressed to a critical reader; 2) provoking readers' distrust does not help them choose an efficient therapy. The described provocation is discussed in relation to therapeutic choices by oncology patients. peerReviewed publishedVersion