The BBC is now running a four-part series on medical self-experimentation called Medical Mavericks. The examples have almost nothing in common with what I do. Here are some differences between what might be called “classic” self-experimentation (e.g., Weinberger, Marshall) and “slow” self-experimentation (what I do).
1. Classic SE: Improves medicine. Slow SE: improves my life.
2. Classic SE: few if any numerical data. Slow SE: Lots of numbers.
3. Classic SE: self-experimenter starts with strong opinion. Slow SE: self-experimenter starts without strong opinon.
4. Classic SE: lasts hours or days. Slow SE: May last years.
5. Classic SE: Demonstrative. Slow SE: Exploratory.
Long live both types.