Comments on: Bright and Wrong http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/08/17/bright-and-wrong/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:14:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Woofb http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/08/17/bright-and-wrong/#comment-6238 Woofb Thu, 15 Mar 2007 20:31:04 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/08/17/bright-and-wrong/#comment-6238 Although I _am_ also beginning to wonder if the word 'sceptic' ought to come with an intelligence test. Looking for intelligent & entertaining blogs just now (having read pretty much everything on Randi.org, CSI(COP) and Ben G's Bad Science), I Googled for 'sceptical blog' and found that was too broad; Googled for 'sceptical rationalist blog' and before coming up with the sort of things I was looking for (like this blog) found a lot of Utter Nonsense. One of the starring examples was 'psychic sceptic' blog, which I clicked on to find out how on earth those polar opposites could be yoked together. This bloke apparently thinks that his approach counts as sceptical/rationalistic if he: a) goes to some place said to be haunted b) states the possible woo-woo explanation and the possible sensible explanation as if they're equally likely c) shrugs his shoulders and states that he realises there's a perfectly sensible explanation but he prefers the other one... I wish I could say it's an Onion or a Landseer Baptist, but I fear it's straight: I had a rather New Age friend a few years ago who used to drag me to Crop Circle meetings. The loony fringe is full of people whose claim to level-headedness/scepticism rests on profession (physics teacher, pilot, accountant) or emotional temper (Not A Drama Queen) as opposed to considering evidence. Although I _am_ also beginning to wonder if the word ’sceptic’ ought to come with an intelligence test.

Looking for intelligent & entertaining blogs just now (having read pretty much everything on Randi.org, CSI(COP) and Ben G’s Bad Science), I Googled for ’sceptical blog’ and found that was too broad; Googled for ’sceptical rationalist blog’ and before coming up with the sort of things I was looking for (like this blog) found a lot of Utter Nonsense.

One of the starring examples was ‘psychic sceptic’ blog, which I clicked on to find out how on earth those polar opposites could be yoked together. This bloke apparently thinks that his approach counts as sceptical/rationalistic if he:
a) goes to some place said to be haunted
b) states the possible woo-woo explanation and the possible sensible explanation as if they’re equally likely
c) shrugs his shoulders and states that he realises there’s a perfectly sensible explanation but he prefers the other one…

I wish I could say it’s an Onion or a Landseer Baptist, but I fear it’s straight: I had a rather New Age friend a few years ago who used to drag me to Crop Circle meetings. The loony fringe is full of people whose claim to level-headedness/scepticism rests on profession (physics teacher, pilot, accountant) or emotional temper (Not A Drama Queen) as opposed to considering evidence.

]]> By: Woofb http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/08/17/bright-and-wrong/#comment-6237 Woofb Thu, 15 Mar 2007 19:50:13 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/08/17/bright-and-wrong/#comment-6237 I've seen 'Bright (n)' in contexts of 'try to create a friendly word for atheist' (a word frequently even <i>more</i> loaded than sceptic). My immediate reaction was similar to yours: though I think there's ample evidence out there that the delusionally religious should not be allowed to run the planet (or countries thereof), and plenty of them seem to be dimmer-than-average, patting ourselves on the back for our comparative intelligence (or seeming to do so) is seductive-but-unhelpful. I’ve seen ‘Bright (n)’ in contexts of ‘try to create a friendly word for atheist’ (a word frequently even more loaded than sceptic).

My immediate reaction was similar to yours: though I think there’s ample evidence out there that the delusionally religious should not be allowed to run the planet (or countries thereof), and plenty of them seem to be dimmer-than-average, patting ourselves on the back for our comparative intelligence (or seeming to do so) is seductive-but-unhelpful.

]]> By: Shada http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/08/17/bright-and-wrong/#comment-6236 Shada Thu, 27 Jul 2006 16:01:35 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/08/17/bright-and-wrong/#comment-6236 SO WHAT if people are skeptics, it doesnt bloody matter, anyway, being a skeptic is bettter than being a cynic, which is not so good! i mean..hello...we live in the real world (exception to ppl who live in their own little world) and we NEED TO BE skeptic, our minds cannot be ruined by stupid claims.......and ANYWAY...asking QUESTIONS AND QUESTIONING EVERYTHING is what people should DO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! shada... p.s. IM A BRIGHT - whoeva came up with that stupid name 'BRIGHT' is pathetic, anyway, i prefer the term SKEpTIC...SONDS MORE ELEGANT!!! SO WHAT if people are skeptics, it doesnt bloody matter, anyway, being a skeptic is bettter than being a cynic, which is not so good!
i mean..hello…we live in the real world (exception to ppl who live in their own little world) and we NEED TO BE skeptic, our minds cannot be ruined by stupid claims…….and ANYWAY…asking QUESTIONS AND QUESTIONING EVERYTHING is what people should DO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

shada…

p.s. IM A BRIGHT - whoeva came up with that stupid name ‘BRIGHT’ is pathetic, anyway, i prefer the term SKEpTIC…SONDS MORE ELEGANT!!!

]]> By: Rick Carliss http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/08/17/bright-and-wrong/#comment-6225 Rick Carliss Mon, 22 Aug 2005 22:18:30 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/08/17/bright-and-wrong/#comment-6225 I hate the presumption in calling oneself a "Bright." But also, to say, "I'm a Bright" is just awful grammar. It's not just arrogant but it's also distracting. Sounds like you're waiting for the other shoe to drop; maybe as in: "I'm a Bright" (individual). Bright is just too much of an adjective. It’s like saying, "I'm a Cool" or "I'm a Handsome." yuck. I hate the presumption in calling oneself a “Bright.” But also, to say, “I’m a Bright” is just awful grammar. It’s not just arrogant but it’s also distracting. Sounds like you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop; maybe as in: “I’m a Bright” (individual).

Bright is just too much of an adjective. It’s like saying, “I’m a Cool” or “I’m a Handsome.”

yuck.

]]> By: Irishman http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/08/17/bright-and-wrong/#comment-6232 Irishman Mon, 22 Aug 2005 13:45:19 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/08/17/bright-and-wrong/#comment-6232 HawaiiArmenian, it is important that we not equate "irrationally religious zealots" with "all religious believers". Extremist language like that does not help spread education and rational thought, it builds enmity and drives away support from moderate religious people who would otherwise accept and support our position. There's a role for confrontation and certainly a need to confront detrimental policies and proposed actions. At the same time, obstinate antagonism does not promote rationalism and reasoning. Those of us seeking tolerance for our non-mainstream position on religious topics (i.e. atheists) would do well to practice tolerance in our own actions. HawaiiArmenian, it is important that we not equate “irrationally religious zealots” with “all religious believers”. Extremist language like that does not help spread education and rational thought, it builds enmity and drives away support from moderate religious people who would otherwise accept and support our position. There’s a role for confrontation and certainly a need to confront detrimental policies and proposed actions. At the same time, obstinate antagonism does not promote rationalism and reasoning. Those of us seeking tolerance for our non-mainstream position on religious topics (i.e. atheists) would do well to practice tolerance in our own actions.

]]> By: Plognark http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/08/17/bright-and-wrong/#comment-6229 Plognark Mon, 22 Aug 2005 13:41:27 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/08/17/bright-and-wrong/#comment-6229 I'm happy just being a Skeptic, even if people use the word as a type of Slur. Sometimes I describe myself as being "scientifically minded" in casual conversation when I don't feel like getting into a big philosophical or ideological debate. Maybe one day I'll feel more comfortable about slinging around the "A" word. I’m happy just being a Skeptic, even if people use the word as a type of Slur. Sometimes I describe myself as being “scientifically minded” in casual conversation when I don’t feel like getting into a big philosophical or ideological debate.

Maybe one day I’ll feel more comfortable about slinging around the “A” word.

]]> By: Kevin Rosero http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/08/17/bright-and-wrong/#comment-6235 Kevin Rosero Sat, 20 Aug 2005 12:22:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2005/08/17/bright-and-wrong/#comment-6235 HawaiiArmenian, intimidation will have an equal and opposite reaction. You can't use it without it rebounding on yourself. What you're proposing will lead to war -- to a crusade, actually. HawaiiArmenian, intimidation will have an equal and opposite reaction. You can’t use it without it rebounding on yourself. What you’re proposing will lead to war — to a crusade, actually.

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