Comments on: Dumb Debunkers, Dumb UFO Believers http://www.ufomystic.com/2008/03/17/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/ UFO News, Views, and More Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:25:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Greg Bishop http://www.ufomystic.com/2008/03/17/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5233 Greg Bishop Thu, 20 Mar 2008 05:08:11 +0000 http://www.ufomystic.com/wake-up-down-there/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5233 Sage, I know that. At least, that's what the situation should be in a perfect world of science. Shifting my focus to somewhere where there isn't as much of a problem would not make for a very interesting post. Sage,

I know that. At least, that’s what the situation should be in a perfect world of science.

Shifting my focus to somewhere where there isn’t as much of a problem would not make for a very interesting post.

]]> By: The_Sage http://www.ufomystic.com/2008/03/17/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5225 The_Sage Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:18:04 +0000 http://www.ufomystic.com/wake-up-down-there/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5225 Just to clarify my original point then, the scientific community concentrates on science and facts, while the non-scientific community concentrates on sensationalism. Shifting your focus from the non-scientific community where (as a rule) you get extremes in behavior and opinions, to the scientific community where (as a rule) you do not, would help greatly eliminate the type of madness you described in your post. Just to clarify my original point then, the scientific community concentrates on science and facts, while the non-scientific community concentrates on sensationalism. Shifting your focus from the non-scientific community where (as a rule) you get extremes in behavior and opinions, to the scientific community where (as a rule) you do not, would help greatly eliminate the type of madness you described in your post.

]]> By: Greg Bishop http://www.ufomystic.com/2008/03/17/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5217 Greg Bishop Wed, 19 Mar 2008 05:55:14 +0000 http://www.ufomystic.com/wake-up-down-there/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5217 Sage, You basically repeated what I was saying about scientists. The example of a TV show was used a humorous aside to make an oblique point. I agree with you about ufology. I use the word "some" for a reason. Sage,

You basically repeated what I was saying about scientists.

The example of a TV show was used a humorous aside to make an oblique point.

I agree with you about ufology.

I use the word “some” for a reason.

]]> By: The_Sage http://www.ufomystic.com/2008/03/17/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5215 The_Sage Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:20:42 +0000 http://www.ufomystic.com/wake-up-down-there/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5215 Scientists are not science. Science is never about the people, but about the methodology. For example, using South Park to prove a point is not very scientific or factual. Furthermore, "In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion" (Carl Sagan). I would add "UFOlogy" to Carl's list. Why is it that if a perfect stranger disagrees with us, it usually is interpreted as a personal attack, but if our friends disagree with us, it is usually interpreted as one of our better discussions? Scientists are not science. Science is never about the people, but about the methodology. For example, using South Park to prove a point is not very scientific or factual. Furthermore, “In science it often happens that scientists say, ‘You know that’s a really good argument; my position is mistaken,’ and then they actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn’t happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion” (Carl Sagan). I would add “UFOlogy” to Carl’s list.

Why is it that if a perfect stranger disagrees with us, it usually is interpreted as a personal attack, but if our friends disagree with us, it is usually interpreted as one of our better discussions?

]]> By: Greg Bishop http://www.ufomystic.com/2008/03/17/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5211 Greg Bishop Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:00:10 +0000 http://www.ufomystic.com/wake-up-down-there/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5211 Sage, I don't know. I've seen scientists go at it with the same fervor. Did you see the South Park episode where a future society based on science is fighting about who has the right answer to the burning question of what they should call themselves? Scientists are people, and people have opinions and emotions. Sometimes the these get in the way of meaningful research. Perfect science should be run on reproducible facts, and perfect debate should rely on demonstrable facts, with parties realizing that their emotions and opinions are always open to question. Some of my best discussions are with friends who I disagree with, since we don't descend into personal attacks, which always break down communication. Sage,

I don’t know. I’ve seen scientists go at it with the same fervor. Did you see the South Park episode where a future society based on science is fighting about who has the right answer to the burning question of what they should call themselves?

Scientists are people, and people have opinions and emotions. Sometimes the these get in the way of meaningful research. Perfect science should be run on reproducible facts, and perfect debate should rely on demonstrable facts, with parties realizing that their emotions and opinions are always open to question.

Some of my best discussions are with friends who I disagree with, since we don’t descend into personal attacks, which always break down communication.

]]> By: Greg Bishop http://www.ufomystic.com/2008/03/17/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5210 Greg Bishop Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:50:35 +0000 http://www.ufomystic.com/wake-up-down-there/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5210 RPJ, I know it's hopeless, but there may actually be a utopia some millions of years from now. We're just trying to plant seeds! : ) RPJ,

I know it’s hopeless, but there may actually be a utopia some millions of years from now. We’re just trying to plant seeds! : )

]]> By: Greg Bishop http://www.ufomystic.com/2008/03/17/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5209 Greg Bishop Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:48:49 +0000 http://www.ufomystic.com/wake-up-down-there/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5209 Lisa, I was not trying to denigrate all beliefs, just those that get in the way of civilized debate. Lisa,

I was not trying to denigrate all beliefs, just those that get in the way of civilized debate.

]]> By: The_Sage http://www.ufomystic.com/2008/03/17/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5207 The_Sage Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:55:47 +0000 http://www.ufomystic.com/wake-up-down-there/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5207 The problem is you are giving too much emphasis to the non-scientific community. Naturally the non-scientific community is plagued with extremes in behaviors and beliefs. The non-scientific community is like a zoo but who cares, since it isn't scientific? The problem is you are giving too much emphasis to the non-scientific community. Naturally the non-scientific community is plagued with extremes in behaviors and beliefs. The non-scientific community is like a zoo but who cares, since it isn’t scientific?

]]> By: red pill junkie http://www.ufomystic.com/2008/03/17/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5205 red pill junkie Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:22:53 +0000 http://www.ufomystic.com/wake-up-down-there/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5205 H. Sapiens is merely 100,000 years old, my dear Greg. Be a bit patient, I'm sure than in a couple of eons we'll be abe to have meaningful discussions without pesky emotions clouding our judgement ;-) H. Sapiens is merely 100,000 years old, my dear Greg. Be a bit patient, I’m sure than in a couple of eons we’ll be abe to have meaningful discussions without pesky emotions clouding our judgement ;-)

]]> By: Lisa A. Shiel http://www.ufomystic.com/2008/03/17/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5204 Lisa A. Shiel Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:09:31 +0000 http://www.ufomystic.com/wake-up-down-there/ufo-believers-debunkers-beliefs/#comment-5204 Blind belief causes problems--if you believe blindly in a certain viewpoint, then you cannot allow anyone to disagree with you. But we must be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water, as it were. Belief in God can bolster our spirits and help us cope with tough times. Belief in a certain theory or idea gives us something to talk about. Every time you express an opinion, you express a belief. Belief is not bad. Arrogance is. Lisa Shiel Backyard Phenomena blog http://backyardphenomena.blogspot.com/ Blind belief causes problems–if you believe blindly in a certain viewpoint, then you cannot allow anyone to disagree with you. But we must be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water, as it were.

Belief in God can bolster our spirits and help us cope with tough times. Belief in a certain theory or idea gives us something to talk about. Every time you express an opinion, you express a belief.

Belief is not bad. Arrogance is.

Lisa Shiel
Backyard Phenomena blog
http://backyardphenomena.blogspot.com/

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