Here's more proof that a fool and his money are soon parted. A company called Q-Ray is selling "ionized" bracelets for hundreds of dollars a piece. Just how the bracelets are ionized and how it helps is never expressly stated. I presume that by ionized, they mean that atoms on either end of the bracelet have lost or gained electrons to create an electrical charge. They don't really say how this is supposed to be beneficial or even how the electrical charge stays put rather than zapping you like the static electricity on your door knob. Personally, I think the whole thing is dubious.

In their marketing, Q-Ray seems to imply that it gives you some sort of increased physical prowess. They don't come out and say it, but they quote all sorts of athletes who seem to have an overly positive reaction to wearing the bracelet. They also offer a warning to pregnant women and people with pace makers, but do say that wearers shouldn't have any trouble operating a microwave. (Well that's a relief.)

I'm reminded of those "ionized" washing machine balls that were supposed to take the place of detergent. The idea was that throwing an "ionized" floating ball in with your laundry would actually clean your clothes better than using some "harsh" detergent or "chemicals". Independent tests seemed to illustrate that the devices, which cost anywhere from $20 to $100, succeeded in separating people from their money but didn't actually clean clothes better than plain ordinary tap water.

For the Q-Ray bracelet, they don't actually make any claims of any kind. Instead they just offer up a series of non sequiturs, like some runner who won some marathons. (Implying that if I buy one of those bracelets, my fat ass can win a marathon too.) And of course there are the generic testimonials which just say things like "AMAZING" and "We love your product." (They seem overly careful not to say why they love it.)

Well, this fool isn't buying. I think I'll pass on this one.