BrianW
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Jan 30, 1999
- Messages
- 2,563
- Real Name
- Brian
I almost never start new threads. And I'm sure I'll soon regret starting this one. But that's another matter. I'd like to dedicate this thread to the skeptics among us who have felt misunderstood, downtrodden, and wedgied.
I'd like first to define some characteristics of skeptics, just to set the record straight:
It's not necessarily easy maintaining a rigorous method of incorporating new beliefs. To some of you, that may translate as, "It's not easy being a jerk." That's okay. If you want to tell us off, or if you want to debate our methods, then that sounds fun, too.
I'd like first to define some characteristics of skeptics, just to set the record straight:
- Skeptics are not close-minded. The world seems to think that we are closed-minded, unwilling to consider alternatives, unable to embrace new ideas, or unwilling to change our beliefs. But the truth is, a skeptic is willing to believe absolutely anything if presented with sufficient evidence.
- Skeptics don't think they are never wrong. On the contrary, a skeptic is always willing to be convinced he is wrong. Again, all it takes is sufficient evidence. This is, after all, the very heart of the Scientific Method.
- To a skeptic, claims and anecdotes to not rise to the level of evidence, or even data. This does not mean, however, that skeptics believe claims are not worth investigating. Only through investigation of claims can proper data arise and be evaluated.
It's not necessarily easy maintaining a rigorous method of incorporating new beliefs. To some of you, that may translate as, "It's not easy being a jerk." That's okay. If you want to tell us off, or if you want to debate our methods, then that sounds fun, too.