Comments on: Sugarplums of the Apocalypse? http://www.skepticblog.org/2010/01/05/sugarplums-of-the-apocalypse/ The official blog of the Skeptologists Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:44:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Roger http://www.skepticblog.org/2010/01/05/sugarplums-of-the-apocalypse/#comment-20117 Roger Sat, 10 Apr 2010 09:18:45 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=5776#comment-20117 Skeptics should be critical thinkers but they are not, they accept today's perceived reality as set in concrete and go around picking fights with any alternate view blissfully ignorant of the fact that the reality we are served up by the owners of this planet is a total and complete manufactured lie. The evidence is all around but their double standards for evidence automatically protect the lie. They are the Trumans of this world but even when their boats hit the wall at the rear of the set they still refuse to see reality, telling themselves that they've had some sort of a breakdown. Most science fiction is reality, the lie is hidden in PLAIN VIEW. The movie "Truman" is exactly how it is. The so called Paranormal is actually just plain old science, recent breakthoughs in quantum physics are showing this. The recent uncovering of scientists conspiring to manufacture the global warming data is the tip of the iceburg, science is funded by those who want the results for which they've paid. Skeptics should be critical thinkers but they are not, they accept today’s perceived reality as set in concrete and go around picking fights with any alternate view blissfully ignorant of the fact that the reality we are served up by the owners of this planet is a total and complete manufactured lie. The evidence is all around but their double standards for evidence automatically protect the lie.
They are the Trumans of this world but even when their boats hit the wall at the rear of the set they still refuse to see reality, telling themselves that they’ve had some sort of a breakdown.
Most science fiction is reality, the lie is hidden in PLAIN VIEW. The movie “Truman” is exactly how it is. The so called Paranormal is actually just plain old science, recent breakthoughs in quantum physics are showing this. The recent uncovering of scientists conspiring to manufacture the global warming data is the tip of the iceburg, science is funded by those who want the results for which they’ve paid.

]]> By: George http://www.skepticblog.org/2010/01/05/sugarplums-of-the-apocalypse/#comment-20116 George Sat, 10 Apr 2010 08:56:46 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=5776#comment-20116 Skepticism: The inability to consider any concept that's outside the skeptics field of knowledge. E.G. I have no understanding of astronomy so I doubt the conspiracy theorist who tells me it is a sphere. I believe in being skeptical but I get hold of the facts before I shoot my mouth off. Mainstream media is usually suspect. Why? Because the TV network is usually owned by the same people who have a lot to gain by propagating the lie. The example of the professional reporter who claims to have witnessed body parts at the Pentagon doesn't prove a thing when physical, scientific data as well as suspicious behaviour [e.g. refusal to provide the actual video frames showing the actual jet passing through the walls] questions the official story. Skepticism: The inability to consider any concept that’s outside the skeptics field of knowledge. E.G. I have no understanding of astronomy so I doubt the conspiracy theorist who tells me it is a sphere.
I believe in being skeptical but I get hold of the facts before I shoot my mouth off. Mainstream media is usually suspect. Why? Because the TV network is usually owned by the same people who have a lot to gain by propagating the lie.
The example of the professional reporter who claims to have witnessed body parts at the Pentagon doesn’t prove a thing when physical, scientific data as well as suspicious behaviour [e.g. refusal to provide the actual video frames showing the actual jet passing through the walls] questions the official story.

]]> By: Jeshua http://www.skepticblog.org/2010/01/05/sugarplums-of-the-apocalypse/#comment-16989 Jeshua Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:06:51 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=5776#comment-16989 Reminds me of a conversation i had with a friend when he looked up at the moon and declared, "You know they've discovered there are pyramids on the moon exactly like the ones in Egypt." He just happens to be a grade-school teacher, so I asked him where he heard that pearl of knowledge. He stared at me in disbelief for a few seconds and then blurted out, "Why that's just common knowledge!" I thought my brother-in-law was going to die laughing when i said, "Not among anyone i know." At least that ended the conversation. Reminds me of a conversation i had with a friend when he looked up at the moon and declared, “You know they’ve discovered there are pyramids on the moon exactly like the ones in Egypt.” He just happens to be a grade-school teacher, so I asked him where he heard that pearl of knowledge. He stared at me in disbelief for a few seconds and then blurted out, “Why that’s just common knowledge!”

I thought my brother-in-law was going to die laughing when i said, “Not among anyone i know.” At least that ended the conversation.

]]> By: Lisa S http://www.skepticblog.org/2010/01/05/sugarplums-of-the-apocalypse/#comment-16966 Lisa S Wed, 13 Jan 2010 02:27:57 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=5776#comment-16966 Back in the Shirley McClain, Out on a Limb era, I attended a Learning Annex class in New York City on some New Age philosophy of some sort. We were being taught about how reincarnation works and how you were actually oder than your parents etc. There was a polite skeptic present, but instead of attempting to prove the instructor wrong he simply asked "How do you know these things?" And the answer was something along the lines of, "Well, I just do" as no other reason could be found. Simply overhearing such a polite exchange was influential and thought provoking and more than enough for me. Back in the Shirley McClain, Out on a Limb era, I attended a Learning Annex class in New York City on some New Age philosophy of some sort. We were being taught about how reincarnation works and how you were actually oder than your parents etc.

There was a polite skeptic present, but instead of attempting to prove the instructor wrong he simply asked “How do you know these things?” And the answer was something along the lines of, “Well, I just do” as no other reason could be found.

Simply overhearing such a polite exchange was influential and thought provoking and more than enough for me.

]]> By: Jason M http://www.skepticblog.org/2010/01/05/sugarplums-of-the-apocalypse/#comment-16884 Jason M Sun, 10 Jan 2010 11:56:39 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=5776#comment-16884 I agree with Daniel on this one, none of us is immune to false beliefs. I came to skepticism the same way: after believing in some silly things for a quite a while, I slowly drifted over as the evidence piled up. It takes people a while to adjust to a new worldview, but I think most are capable of it. And even if they can't come all the way right away, they are still capable of learning some aspects of skepticism that they could potentially apply more widely to their own lives. I agree with Daniel on this one, none of us is immune to false beliefs. I came to skepticism the same way: after believing in some silly things for a quite a while, I slowly drifted over as the evidence piled up. It takes people a while to adjust to a new worldview, but I think most are capable of it. And even if they can’t come all the way right away, they are still capable of learning some aspects of skepticism that they could potentially apply more widely to their own lives.

]]> By: mania http://www.skepticblog.org/2010/01/05/sugarplums-of-the-apocalypse/#comment-16859 mania Sat, 09 Jan 2010 03:21:30 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=5776#comment-16859 I keep trying to keep my mouth shut but they (creationists, truthers and deniers) just annoy me to no end. I find it unbelievable the views people hold and it is so hard to try to form a dialog with imbeciles - it gives them way too much credit. there is hope. i used to be a creationist (only because I was raised that way). sound reasoning, education and skepticism were key to my enlightenment, but sadly, these qualities are lacking in the average person. I am glad there are people like me out there, but it's still far to uncommon to be a freethinker in America. maybe someday, but right now I feel very oppressed. I keep trying to keep my mouth shut but they (creationists, truthers and deniers) just annoy me to no end. I find it unbelievable the views people hold and it is so hard to try to form a dialog with imbeciles – it gives them way too much credit.

there is hope. i used to be a creationist (only because I was raised that way). sound reasoning, education and skepticism were key to my enlightenment, but sadly, these qualities are lacking in the average person.

I am glad there are people like me out there, but it’s still far to uncommon to be a freethinker in America. maybe someday, but right now I feel very oppressed.

]]> By: Daniel Loxton http://www.skepticblog.org/2010/01/05/sugarplums-of-the-apocalypse/#comment-16841 Daniel Loxton Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:34:05 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=5776#comment-16841 <blockquote>There is almost always zero point to arguing with people who prefer fantasy to reality, or are unable to tell the difference. It is an utter waste of time…</blockquote> The counter to this argument is the observation that most skeptics started as paranormal believers. I certainly did. My own experience is that most people exposed to skepticism over the long term drift in that direction. (This has been the case with many of my own friends and family, in any event.)

There is almost always zero point to arguing with people who prefer fantasy to reality, or are unable to tell the difference. It is an utter waste of time…

The counter to this argument is the observation that most skeptics started as paranormal believers. I certainly did.

My own experience is that most people exposed to skepticism over the long term drift in that direction. (This has been the case with many of my own friends and family, in any event.)

]]> By: Jamie Kahn Genet http://www.skepticblog.org/2010/01/05/sugarplums-of-the-apocalypse/#comment-16831 Jamie Kahn Genet Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:55:35 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=5776#comment-16831 There is almost always zero point to arguing with people who prefer fantasy to reality, or are unable to tell the difference. It is an utter waste of time IME. The only exception is if I think they're misleading others - that annoys me far more than people being stupid on their own, and causes more long term harm. Then I will speak up, but otherwise I'll grin and bear it, try to tune it out, or just walk away if it's really irritating. There is almost always zero point to arguing with people who prefer fantasy to reality, or are unable to tell the difference. It is an utter waste of time IME.

The only exception is if I think they’re misleading others – that annoys me far more than people being stupid on their own, and causes more long term harm. Then I will speak up, but otherwise I’ll grin and bear it, try to tune it out, or just walk away if it’s really irritating.

]]> By: Max http://www.skepticblog.org/2010/01/05/sugarplums-of-the-apocalypse/#comment-16797 Max Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:02:48 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=5776#comment-16797 "I took my child to a dozen doctors, and nothing helped, but this homeopathy is the only thing that provides some relief, thank God." "It's just a placebo effect, and there's no evidence of God." "Oh, well then, have some wine in your face." “I took my child to a dozen doctors, and nothing helped, but this homeopathy is the only thing that provides some relief, thank God.”

“It’s just a placebo effect, and there’s no evidence of God.”

“Oh, well then, have some wine in your face.”

]]> By: cabbo http://www.skepticblog.org/2010/01/05/sugarplums-of-the-apocalypse/#comment-16794 cabbo Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:31:17 +0000 http://skepticblog.org/?p=5776#comment-16794 If you are properly armed with the correct arsenal of information and are civil in debate, then I fail to see how a mass breakdown of a relationship can occur out of these kinds of arguments. "I watched this movie/went to church and heard/etc...., and it/he/she said that..." "sceptical counterpoint backed up with evidence" "Oh, well then." Unless the other party is clinically insane, or you have chosen poorly your form of evidence. And when it comes to those debates in which the evidence can never be 100% certain (but is very, VERY close to), then we should all know by now how not to offend the believing party. If it comes to an argument where you have no evidence, then there might be a problem. If you have no evidence to back up your scepticism, then all you can do is doubt. Don't get into this kind of argument unless you know you are either going to win, or have the other person institutionalised. If you are properly armed with the correct arsenal of information and are civil in debate, then I fail to see how a mass breakdown of a relationship can occur out of these kinds of arguments.

“I watched this movie/went to church and heard/etc…., and it/he/she said that…”

“sceptical counterpoint backed up with evidence”

“Oh, well then.”

Unless the other party is clinically insane, or you have chosen poorly your form of evidence. And when it comes to those debates in which the evidence can never be 100% certain (but is very, VERY close to), then we should all know by now how not to offend the believing party. If it comes to an argument where you have no evidence, then there might be a problem. If you have no evidence to back up your scepticism, then all you can do is doubt. Don’t get into this kind of argument unless you know you are either going to win, or have the other person institutionalised.

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