Why i am no longer a skeptic

[c4chaos]

just want to pass this along. it's required reading for all skeptics, especially the pseudo-skeptic variety. pass it along to your skeptical friends


Why I am no longer a skeptic

[Arouet]

Didn't read the whole thing, but core message: DBAD. With that I agree. Otherwise, people are social creatures and there is nothing wrong in identifying with like-minded people. But there's no reason to BAD while doing it.

[Hjortron]

Originally Posted by Arouet

Otherwise, people are social creatures and there is nothing wrong in identifying with like-minded people.

Strictly speaking, I agree. However, in practice, there is very often a slippery slope problem attached to this behavior, and that is what leads to group-think. Everyone starts to parrot what everybody else in the group is saying without putting some proper thought and skepticism towards it themselves.

[Arouet]

But that's the case with absolutely every group on the planet. And its not usually as deep as some people make it out to be. There can be broad agreement on the general big-picture issues, and as you get more specific and down to the nitty gritty nuances show up.

[Hjortron]

Originally Posted by Arouet

But that's the case with absolutely every group on the planet.

I know. I was indeed talking about group-think in general. People make the mistake that, in order to identify with someone or something (like a group), they feel like they have to agree with them more than they actually do about the general stuff.

[OC68]

Oh what I would give for Sniffy to read that.

[Pollux]

Originally Posted by Arouet

But that's the case with absolutely every group on the planet. And its not usually as deep as some people make it out to be. There can be broad agreement on the general big-picture issues, and as you get more specific and down to the nitty gritty nuances show up.

But if those at the top exercise the `Be A Dick´ attitude and enforce it to the hilt, then you get a `Be A Dick´-trickle down effect through the ranks.
Everyone thinks: `Hey, its OK to be a dick, lets go out an exercise that "right".

It is not as you say, that every group on the planet in opposition to something adapt a `Be A Dick´-attitude.

Skeptics are not alone being dicks though, but it is not a universal behaviour as you make it sound to be.

[Arouet]

Originally Posted by Pollux

But if those at the top exercise the `Be A Dick´ attitude and enforce it to the hilt, then you get a `Be A Dick´-trickle down effect through the ranks.

But not all at the top are like that. Some are, some aren't.

Everyone thinks: `Hey, its OK to be a dick, lets go out an exercise that "right".

But not everyone thinks that's ok. Certainly many do though.

It is not as you say, that every group on the planet in opposition to something adapt a `Be A Dick´-attitude.

I think every group on the planet has dicks and non dicks among their membership and leadership.

Skeptics are not alone being dicks though, but it is not a universal behaviour as you make it sound to be.

There's quite a lot of it though. I've yet to see an exception, but I suppose there may be one or two!

[Pollux]

But not all at the top are like that. Some are, some aren't.

The majority of the visible "elite" of the sceptical movement are.
Thats enough.

But not everyone thinks that's ok. Certainly many do though.

The majority thinks its the given course of attitude, and they pursue it vigorously.

I think every group on the planet has dicks and non dicks among their membership and leadership.

Not so clustered together as in the sceptical movement.
They make the political rabid dogs look like angels on occasion.

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Ooh, we should be careful about cheerleading everything in science. What a brilliant insight!

"It might be nonsense from start to finish, but alternative medicine helps millions of people get through the day, ..."

And yet he's complaining about Big Pharma.

Who wrote it, anyway? And when?

~~ Paul