oxnsox: Reality is there will always be folk who want to believe the snake-oil salesman....
When you're dealing with things that aren't easily explainable in non scientific terms, and are quantified in seemingly non nonsensical ways it's easy to see why folk flock to a simplistic holistic option.
For some it's easiest to put your faith in simply (il)logical visual explanations like the 'water calming effects of moonlight' (who goes to see the moons reflection on the sea in bad weather?). If we can see even a slim correlation we may just find it palatable... some will take the bait.
And some is all you need
....along with a non quantifiable amount of oily snakes
And the media to stir the pot.