Discussion
It helps point out who to avoid.
And there are always new weirdo notions arriving on the scene - so it's good to be aware of them.
And, indeed, reading stuff one agrees with is comforting. It allows one to think that perhaps the whole world hasn't completely lost its marbles.
I read Nigel Roebuck and Clive James for the same reasons.
And there are always new weirdo notions arriving on the scene - so it's good to be aware of them.
And, indeed, reading stuff one agrees with is comforting. It allows one to think that perhaps the whole world hasn't completely lost its marbles.
I read Nigel Roebuck and Clive James for the same reasons.
Hoofy said:
A stupid question, maybe, but what benefit do you get from reading such books? Isn't it just telling you that you're right... but you knew that already!
I find it fascinating why people will readily believe woo-woo in the absence of any half decent evidence, sometimes completely against the evidence while they will disregard proper proven beyond doubt science on the basis of it not being psychologically satisfying or counter intuitive.I reckon it comes from the god/ghoulie bit of the brain that evolved to enable us to live in groups larger than the extended family - the key to Homo sapiens success.
Ben Goldacre is a good read on this topic. Try the Sceptoid pod-casts too.
At the philosophical level most governments don't trust their population to know all their deepest darkest secrets for fear of being voted out of office or upsetting another friendly country. So they lie about a lot of stuff (Russian Spy Rock anyone?), and inevitably they get found out. Politicians are also regularly caught with their hands in the till so are frequently found to be an untrustworthy bunch.
Add in a pinch of modern education, which teaches critical thinking - but seldom taught well - and there is little wonder that a LOT of people wonder what they are covering up when the government says of course we landed on the moon.
And lets face it, the notion of aliens is actually pretty cool.
At the philosophical level most governments don't trust their population to know all their deepest darkest secrets for fear of being voted out of office or upsetting another friendly country. So they lie about a lot of stuff (Russian Spy Rock anyone?), and inevitably they get found out. Politicians are also regularly caught with their hands in the till so are frequently found to be an untrustworthy bunch.
Add in a pinch of modern education, which teaches critical thinking - but seldom taught well - and there is little wonder that a LOT of people wonder what they are covering up when the government says of course we landed on the moon.
And lets face it, the notion of aliens is actually pretty cool.
very good!I think there is a difference between woo woo type nonsensical views and reasoned scientific debate and discussion.
I can tell the difference, can't you?
I will listen to anyone who puts forward their hypothesis based on normal scientific principles.
I have no time for those who just spout assertions and refuse to back these assertions up in any meaningful way.
I can tell the difference, can't you?
I will listen to anyone who puts forward their hypothesis based on normal scientific principles.
I have no time for those who just spout assertions and refuse to back these assertions up in any meaningful way.
you can't argue with 'woo'. There's a woman on a local forum who is a 'Feng shui Master' who I've argued with numerous times on the subject of her 'woo'. she regularly trots out that she's a'master' in Feng Shui as her top trump card as if that's supposed to give her opinion any more weight than someone elses. What she did reveal was that she'd spent £100k 'training' with the Grand Feng Shui Master in China to get her credentials. Seriously, if you've spent £100k on something you are hardly going to turn around at the end and say "you know what, this is complete horses
t". Of course, the only evidence she provides that Feng Shui works are anecdotes and she expects everyone else to prove her wrong.
Her and her ilk charge between £300-£600 to come round and tell you where to position your furniture.
t". Of course, the only evidence she provides that Feng Shui works are anecdotes and she expects everyone else to prove her wrong.Her and her ilk charge between £300-£600 to come round and tell you where to position your furniture.
I prefer Penn & Tellers' take on Feng Shui 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLO1WeFgEdM&fe...
In fact, their entire Bullst! series is a good laugh as far as woo goes. Most of it is on YouTube, did it ever get broadcast over here?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLO1WeFgEdM&fe...
In fact, their entire Bulls
t! series is a good laugh as far as woo goes. Most of it is on YouTube, did it ever get broadcast over here?MOTORVATOR said:
To some extent I see what you are saying Eric but if we were to follow the route of every hypothesis having to accord with existing knowns then we are no better than the church was many years ago.
A scientific hypothesis is not just a guess about something though. It is usually educated by prior observation and knowledge. Where all of these pseudo-science things fail is that their believers are not willing to look at them objectively. They come up with an idea, and then grasp on to it and ignore any contrary evidence or disregard it with excuses about test conditions and other nonsense.tank slapper said:
MOTORVATOR said:
To some extent I see what you are saying Eric but if we were to follow the route of every hypothesis having to accord with existing knowns then we are no better than the church was many years ago.
A scientific hypothesis is not just a guess about something though. It is usually educated by prior observation and knowledge. Where all of these pseudo-science things fail is that their believers are not willing to look at them objectively. They come up with an idea, and then grasp on to it and ignore any contrary evidence or disregard it with excuses about test conditions and other nonsense.The whole point of creating a hypothesis is to 'attempt' to explain something that hasn't been explained before.
Don't get me wrong I'm not saying that all the pseudo stuff is worthy just that one should keep an open mind for science discovery to continue progressing.
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