Comments on: Preaching to the Choir http://www.skepticblog.org/2008/11/06/preaching-to-the-choir/ The official blog of the Skeptologists Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:38:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: eiajha http://www.skepticblog.org/2008/11/06/preaching-to-the-choir/#comment-9372 eiajha Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:00:01 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=181#comment-9372 alen said inchoir i dont know wat it mean alen said inchoir i dont know wat it mean

]]> By: eiajha http://www.skepticblog.org/2008/11/06/preaching-to-the-choir/#comment-9371 eiajha Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:58:41 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=181#comment-9371 some one called me and ineed to know what is a inchoir im only9 some one called me and ineed to know what is a inchoir im only9

]]> By: Fred http://www.skepticblog.org/2008/11/06/preaching-to-the-choir/#comment-1137 Fred Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:53:06 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=181#comment-1137 Hey Brian, That question of effectiveness is bound to come up but consider this - you're arming the "choir" with the hymn sheets and ability to create hymn sheets. I've decided to take skepticism seriously and make some noise purely because of Skeptic podcasts, yours being the primary influence. So thanks, and as PZ Meyers said, he woul still be doing what he's oing if he only influenced one person. Hey Brian,
That question of effectiveness is bound to come up but consider this – you’re arming the “choir” with the hymn sheets and ability to create hymn sheets. I’ve decided to take skepticism seriously and make some noise purely because of Skeptic podcasts, yours being the primary influence. So thanks, and as PZ Meyers said, he woul still be doing what he’s oing if he only influenced one person.

]]> By: Jim Patten http://www.skepticblog.org/2008/11/06/preaching-to-the-choir/#comment-1136 Jim Patten Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:54:19 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=181#comment-1136 I have subscribed to your podcast and never have been disappointed or "bored". I like the ten minute format because my ADD allows me to stay with it from start to finish. Five stars for 'There be Dragons". I was into all that nonsense and you are a big part of helping me become more of critical thinker. It does not turn me off to hear about something I already know. All the best and know your hard work is much appreciated and you are making a difference. I have subscribed to your podcast and never have been disappointed or “bored”. I like the ten minute format because my ADD allows me to stay with it from start to finish. Five stars for ‘There be Dragons”. I was into all that nonsense and you are a big part of helping me become more of critical thinker. It does not turn me off to hear about something I already know. All the best and know your hard work is much appreciated and you are making a difference.

]]> By: Glen Wolfram http://www.skepticblog.org/2008/11/06/preaching-to-the-choir/#comment-665 Glen Wolfram Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:51:59 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=181#comment-665 To me, it's not the topic, it's the process. Just like Mythbusters, I have found all the shows fascinating, on many levels, but the one thing that has struck me is breaking down the claims in a systematic fashion. Let's take Bigfoot. If this concept really exists, what would be required as proof? In Brian's episode he talks about a footprint. Someone saying they saw a footprint has a certain amount of value. Finding and exhuming the footprint has additional value. Finding the skeletal remains of a creature next to the footprint would have even more. The key is, using whatever example you like, present the steps needed to draw the conclusion "this is more probably real/crap". If it takes "sensationalism" to get the message to the masses, so be it. To me, it’s not the topic, it’s the process.

Just like Mythbusters, I have found all the shows fascinating, on many levels, but the one thing that has struck me is breaking down the claims in a systematic fashion.

Let’s take Bigfoot. If this concept really exists, what would be required as proof? In Brian’s episode he talks about a footprint. Someone saying they saw a footprint has a certain amount of value. Finding and exhuming the footprint has additional value. Finding the skeletal remains of a creature next to the footprint would have even more.

The key is, using whatever example you like, present the steps needed to draw the conclusion “this is more probably real/crap”.

If it takes “sensationalism” to get the message to the masses, so be it.

]]> By: Alan http://www.skepticblog.org/2008/11/06/preaching-to-the-choir/#comment-654 Alan Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:57:07 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=181#comment-654 Just a comment on the expression. This side of the Pond we tend to say "preaching to the converted". I'm not sure if this is generally true for the UK, but my experience in choirs (in my youth) is that singing in a church is something people do for a hobby rather than any need to do something for the church. During sermons, we used to read books, doze, make faces at each other across the aisle, listen to the basses' dirty stories behind - pretty much anything other than listen to the boring old fool. I expect choirboys are texting nowadays. Anyway, your expression makes me think of trying to persuade people who don't care and aren't listening, anyway! Cheers, love the podcast. Just a comment on the expression. This side of the Pond we tend to say “preaching to the converted”. I’m not sure if this is generally true for the UK, but my experience in choirs (in my youth) is that singing in a church is something people do for a hobby rather than any need to do something for the church. During sermons, we used to read books, doze, make faces at each other across the aisle, listen to the basses’ dirty stories behind – pretty much anything other than listen to the boring old fool. I expect choirboys are texting nowadays. Anyway, your expression makes me think of trying to persuade people who don’t care and aren’t listening, anyway! Cheers, love the podcast.

]]> By: Nomad http://www.skepticblog.org/2008/11/06/preaching-to-the-choir/#comment-605 Nomad Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:23:42 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=181#comment-605 Also, preaching to the choir still gives us more information than we had before. I am always learning better, and more subtle, ways of breaking through the irrational belief barrier from skeptical sources. The choir can still use the info given. Most of us already have the tools, but they can always use sharpening. Also, preaching to the choir still gives us more information than we had before. I am always learning better, and more subtle, ways of breaking through the irrational belief barrier from skeptical sources. The choir can still use the info given. Most of us already have the tools, but they can always use sharpening.

]]> By: Tressa http://www.skepticblog.org/2008/11/06/preaching-to-the-choir/#comment-597 Tressa Sat, 08 Nov 2008 02:54:16 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=181#comment-597 Keep preachin' brother! Amen! Keep preachin’ brother! Amen!

]]> By: dave c http://www.skepticblog.org/2008/11/06/preaching-to-the-choir/#comment-585 dave c Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:46:08 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=181#comment-585 I am a new listener to your podcast and find it informative and easy to follow. There is always going to be information that is somewhat hidden in scientific speak, as your example of Michael Behe does prove, but that for me is the exciting part of being a sceptic to challenge the way we think of things and not accept them on face value. So as long as you speak to the choir I for one will be there to listen. I am a new listener to your podcast and find it informative and easy to follow. There is always going to be information that is somewhat hidden in scientific speak, as your example of Michael Behe does prove, but that for me is the exciting part of being a sceptic to challenge the way we think of things and not accept them on face value.
So as long as you speak to the choir I for one will be there to listen.

]]> By: Keith Daniels http://www.skepticblog.org/2008/11/06/preaching-to-the-choir/#comment-582 Keith Daniels Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:25:54 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=181#comment-582 While there might be some element of "preaching to the choir" among all the skeptic podcasts, I like to listen to shows like yours, SGU, and I feel like I learn a lot. Like many naturally skeptical people, I tend to just have a gut feeling when I hear something that doesn't sound right, a baloney detector as Carl Sagan would say. So even though I may hear about something like Bigfoot or a TV psychic and instinctively suspect it's bullshit, it's valuable to me to learn <i>why</i> it's bullshit. For example, I already figured the Betty and Barney Hill UFO case was a crock, but I didn't know all the details behind it until I heard your episode on the subject. While there might be some element of “preaching to the choir” among all the skeptic podcasts, I like to listen to shows like yours, SGU, and I feel like I learn a lot. Like many naturally skeptical people, I tend to just have a gut feeling when I hear something that doesn’t sound right, a baloney detector as Carl Sagan would say. So even though I may hear about something like Bigfoot or a TV psychic and instinctively suspect it’s bullshit, it’s valuable to me to learn why it’s bullshit. For example, I already figured the Betty and Barney Hill UFO case was a crock, but I didn’t know all the details behind it until I heard your episode on the subject.

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