The Q Collar Scandal: Why We Should Cover Science-Adjacent Medical Scams More

The continuing "Q collar" scandal

A Columbia statistician argues that the media's focus on academic grifters, while important, is misplaced compared to the harm caused by science-adjacent medical scams like the Q Collar. The Q Collar, a device claimed to protect athletes from concussions, has been marketed with dubious science and regulatory loopholes, yet receives far less scrutiny than less harmful academic misconduct. The author calls for a shift in coverage to prioritize public health impacts.

We should probably be doing more coverage of science-adjacent medical scams like the Q collar and less on repulsively self-promoting but ultimately less harmful academic grifters.

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2026-08-17