I think what you're describing is valid for most of the internet at large. It's selection bias, where people who have had experiences where their own research has proven themselves right will post about their success online. What isn't reported equally is the 99% of cases where this didn't happen, or worse, the person was proven wrong. Of course I totally agree that being informed about your own health / condition is a very good thing and should be encouraged.

T cells don't eat (phagocytose) particles, you're thinking of macrophages. But you make a good point. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestosis Asbestosis is a good example of how human cells try to swallow (admittedly large) molecules and end up dying, the end-result after 40 years being the cancer malignant mesothelioma.

Agreed the queen is a rich relic from a bygone age, but as she is the head of state her giving out honours makes sense. Politically the queen is toothless and doesn't even choose who she gives honours to. Changing the UK's traditional system would be more of a statement than leaving it in place, and since the royals do pull in a lot of tourists and their money, what's the point in changing it?