Simon Spichak
@spichaksimon.bsky.social
Neuroscience MSc
🦔 dad
Founded Resolvve Inc to make therapy affordable for students
Science, health and tech journalist published in Being Patient, NYT, The Guardian's Scientific Observer, The Sick Times, and The Daily Beast
🦔 dad
Founded Resolvve Inc to make therapy affordable for students
Science, health and tech journalist published in Being Patient, NYT, The Guardian's Scientific Observer, The Sick Times, and The Daily Beast
The same rhetoric wouldn’t fly for cancer, multiple sclerosis, or other disease so but it appears acceptable for Long COVID. Are the journalistic standards more flexible when the person being interviewed is a former colleague or when they’re trying to sell a book?
November 8, 2025 at 7:16 PM
The same rhetoric wouldn’t fly for cancer, multiple sclerosis, or other disease so but it appears acceptable for Long COVID. Are the journalistic standards more flexible when the person being interviewed is a former colleague or when they’re trying to sell a book?
She followed up the patient-blaming rhetoric by saying she doesn’t judge people for how they handle the disease.
November 8, 2025 at 7:16 PM
She followed up the patient-blaming rhetoric by saying she doesn’t judge people for how they handle the disease.
“I think there can be a tendency to double down on your ‘I am really sick’ and ‘I am really having these symptoms’ and maybe get [sic] develop some kind of reluctance or resistance to having an open mind to what else might work best,” Deacon responded.
November 8, 2025 at 7:16 PM
“I think there can be a tendency to double down on your ‘I am really sick’ and ‘I am really having these symptoms’ and maybe get [sic] develop some kind of reluctance or resistance to having an open mind to what else might work best,” Deacon responded.
Then it shifts to patient blaming. At around 5:26, host Ian Hanomansing cued up a question about the legitimacy of brain retraining, which is criticized by most in the patient community.
November 8, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Then it shifts to patient blaming. At around 5:26, host Ian Hanomansing cued up a question about the legitimacy of brain retraining, which is criticized by most in the patient community.
The interview still doesn’t name the Lightning Process or discuss why it’s controversial — it is not evidence-based and is accused of exploiting people with Long COVID.
November 8, 2025 at 7:16 PM
The interview still doesn’t name the Lightning Process or discuss why it’s controversial — it is not evidence-based and is accused of exploiting people with Long COVID.
At 4:01 in the interview, after discussing how she joined a clinical trial that didn’t work, the program mentions she didn’t give up. “She turned to a controversial approach that is not currently offered through public health institutions to treat Long COVID.”
November 8, 2025 at 7:16 PM
At 4:01 in the interview, after discussing how she joined a clinical trial that didn’t work, the program mentions she didn’t give up. “She turned to a controversial approach that is not currently offered through public health institutions to treat Long COVID.”
I am currently starting a little vacation but will be doing a quick write up about this response, which seems to be worse than the original segment tomorrow or Sunday.
youtu.be/fB8V_1n8eq4?...
youtu.be/fB8V_1n8eq4?...
November 7, 2025 at 11:29 PM
I am currently starting a little vacation but will be doing a quick write up about this response, which seems to be worse than the original segment tomorrow or Sunday.
youtu.be/fB8V_1n8eq4?...
youtu.be/fB8V_1n8eq4?...
They include a bit about Deacon discussing the idea of people being insulted by the neuroplasticity approach. "There might be a tendency to double down on your I am sick and I am having these symptoms and reluctance or resistance to an open mind."
November 7, 2025 at 11:29 PM
They include a bit about Deacon discussing the idea of people being insulted by the neuroplasticity approach. "There might be a tendency to double down on your I am sick and I am having these symptoms and reluctance or resistance to an open mind."
This is how they reference the Lightning Process: "She turned to a controversial approach that is not currently offered by public health institutions to treat Long COVID."
It gets worse.
It gets worse.
November 7, 2025 at 11:29 PM
This is how they reference the Lightning Process: "She turned to a controversial approach that is not currently offered by public health institutions to treat Long COVID."
It gets worse.
It gets worse.
New version is up. It is 29 seconds shorter. Will be looking to see what the difference is.
This is the note they've added referencing that they're adding context around the program Deacon experienced.
This is the note they've added referencing that they're adding context around the program Deacon experienced.
![Note: This interview has been re-edited and reposted to include further context and questions around the program Deacon experienced.]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:urwemz7ofbk2oz5ridp42aw4/bafkreihy7fu3iooownpjmcb63csqgbsp4522nnlc2wzzb5lfa3cnqblhsq@jpeg)
November 7, 2025 at 11:29 PM
New version is up. It is 29 seconds shorter. Will be looking to see what the difference is.
This is the note they've added referencing that they're adding context around the program Deacon experienced.
This is the note they've added referencing that they're adding context around the program Deacon experienced.
I am currently starting a little vacation but will be doing a quick write up about this response, which seems to be worse than the original segment tomorrow or Sunday.
youtu.be/fB8V_1n8eq4?...
youtu.be/fB8V_1n8eq4?...
November 7, 2025 at 11:29 PM
I am currently starting a little vacation but will be doing a quick write up about this response, which seems to be worse than the original segment tomorrow or Sunday.
youtu.be/fB8V_1n8eq4?...
youtu.be/fB8V_1n8eq4?...
They include a bit about Deacon discussing the idea of people being insulted by the neuroplasticity approach. "There might be a tendency to double down on your I am sick and I am having these symptoms and reluctance or resistance to an open mind."
November 7, 2025 at 11:29 PM
They include a bit about Deacon discussing the idea of people being insulted by the neuroplasticity approach. "There might be a tendency to double down on your I am sick and I am having these symptoms and reluctance or resistance to an open mind."
This is how they reference the Lightning Process: "She turned to a controversial approach that is not currently offered by public health institutions to treat Long COVID."
It gets worse.
It gets worse.
November 7, 2025 at 11:29 PM
This is how they reference the Lightning Process: "She turned to a controversial approach that is not currently offered by public health institutions to treat Long COVID."
It gets worse.
It gets worse.
New version is up. It is 29 seconds shorter. Will be looking to see what the difference is.
This is the note they've added referencing that they're adding context around the program Deacon experienced.
This is the note they've added referencing that they're adding context around the program Deacon experienced.
November 7, 2025 at 11:29 PM
New version is up. It is 29 seconds shorter. Will be looking to see what the difference is.
This is the note they've added referencing that they're adding context around the program Deacon experienced.
This is the note they've added referencing that they're adding context around the program Deacon experienced.
The spokesperson hit the send button too early. The videos are still being updated. I'll take a look when they're up to see the changes.
November 7, 2025 at 9:24 PM
The spokesperson hit the send button too early. The videos are still being updated. I'll take a look when they're up to see the changes.
Based on the statement I took a look at the YouTube link and the interview on CBC's site. There's no note that indicates it was re-edited and re-posted. Will report on what changes were made soon as well.
November 7, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Based on the statement I took a look at the YouTube link and the interview on CBC's site. There's no note that indicates it was re-edited and re-posted. Will report on what changes were made soon as well.
Just doing my part! Will have a summary up either today or tomorrow.
November 7, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Just doing my part! Will have a summary up either today or tomorrow.
Just doing my part!
November 7, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Just doing my part!
Have to log off but will be writing up a summary soon!
November 6, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Have to log off but will be writing up a summary soon!
They're trying to got multiple samples before they go into the scanner to weigh in on stuff that VanElzakker can't do in the lab
November 6, 2025 at 10:13 PM
They're trying to got multiple samples before they go into the scanner to weigh in on stuff that VanElzakker can't do in the lab
VanElzakker: They've set up an infrastructure to collect blood for at-home participants as well as in-person scan participants. Not everyone can make it to the lab and get to do the neuroimaging.
November 6, 2025 at 10:12 PM
VanElzakker: They've set up an infrastructure to collect blood for at-home participants as well as in-person scan participants. Not everyone can make it to the lab and get to do the neuroimaging.