Comments on: Websites to free your mind http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/04/15/websites-to-free-your-mind/ 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. Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:10:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: PK http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/04/15/websites-to-free-your-mind/#comment-34631 PK Wed, 18 Apr 2007 18:44:04 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/04/15/websites-to-free-your-mind/#comment-34631 Sure, Irishman, but if that means you act like a bully you throw away the baby with the bath water. Remember, a public discussion is a form of seduction (not rape ;-) ). Sure, Irishman, but if that means you act like a bully you throw away the baby with the bath water. Remember, a public discussion is a form of seduction (not rape ;-) ).

]]> By: Irishman http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/04/15/websites-to-free-your-mind/#comment-34630 Irishman Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:38:07 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/04/15/websites-to-free-your-mind/#comment-34630 PK, the problem with media circuses like Larry King Live is that if the skeptic doesn't act like a bully, he gets drowned out by the believer and the "open-minded" host. Randi has found through experience the need to keep the message simple and on point, and to fight for the attention to control the direction of the interview/debate. Ask Phil about being drowned out (i.e. Joe Rogan). Sometimes Randi comes off a bit harsh or extreme in my opinion, but I appreciate what he does and most of what he has to say. PK, the problem with media circuses like Larry King Live is that if the skeptic doesn’t act like a bully, he gets drowned out by the believer and the “open-minded” host. Randi has found through experience the need to keep the message simple and on point, and to fight for the attention to control the direction of the interview/debate. Ask Phil about being drowned out (i.e. Joe Rogan).

Sometimes Randi comes off a bit harsh or extreme in my opinion, but I appreciate what he does and most of what he has to say.

]]> By: PK http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/04/15/websites-to-free-your-mind/#comment-34629 PK Tue, 17 Apr 2007 16:10:30 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/04/15/websites-to-free-your-mind/#comment-34629 The only time I saw Randi in action was at Larry King Live, about the most recent Sylvia Browne affair. To me, he came across as a bit of a bully. Now this may have been a one-off, but it makes me share Quiet-Desperation's reservations. The only time I saw Randi in action was at Larry King Live, about the most recent Sylvia Browne affair. To me, he came across as a bit of a bully. Now this may have been a one-off, but it makes me share Quiet-Desperation’s reservations.

]]> By: Gary Ansorge http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/04/15/websites-to-free-your-mind/#comment-34628 Gary Ansorge Mon, 16 Apr 2007 14:35:43 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/04/15/websites-to-free-your-mind/#comment-34628 Quiet D: Possibly the phrase "crusty curmudgeon" should spring to mind. I've always liked that as a web site name, as in THE CRUSTY CURMUDGEON, or ALL YOUSE GUYS ARE WOO WOOS,,,but I seriously doubt Randi is THAT crusty. He's just a smart, rational and somewhat intransigent guy who knows he's right and has had many bellys full of disgust over the lack of thinking ability of the species. There's a fine line between arrogant and self confident, self assurance. When confronted by such a one, we may feel we're under the micro scope and THAT may be the source of your unease. Personally, I think he's pretty cool. GAry 7 Quiet D: Possibly the phrase “crusty curmudgeon” should spring to mind. I’ve always liked that as a web site name, as in THE CRUSTY CURMUDGEON, or ALL YOUSE GUYS ARE WOO WOOS,,,but I seriously doubt Randi is THAT crusty. He’s just a smart, rational and somewhat intransigent guy who knows he’s right and has had many bellys full of disgust over the lack of thinking ability of the species. There’s a fine line between arrogant and self confident, self assurance. When confronted by such a one, we may feel we’re under the micro scope and THAT may be the source of your unease.

Personally, I think he’s pretty cool.

GAry 7

]]> By: Angelo http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/04/15/websites-to-free-your-mind/#comment-34627 Angelo Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:08:51 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/04/15/websites-to-free-your-mind/#comment-34627 There should be more Randis around, maybe we would be more on our way to banishing pseudo-sceince where it belongs. In the rubbish bin of history. There should be more Randis around, maybe we would be more on our way to banishing pseudo-sceince where it belongs. In the rubbish bin of history.

]]> By: Thomas Siefert http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/04/15/websites-to-free-your-mind/#comment-34626 Thomas Siefert Mon, 16 Apr 2007 08:23:15 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/04/15/websites-to-free-your-mind/#comment-34626 To Quiet Desperation: That explains it then, grumpy old men don't like other grumpy old men :-) To Quiet Desperation: That explains it then, grumpy old men don’t like other grumpy old men :-)

]]> By: Quiet Desperation http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/04/15/websites-to-free-your-mind/#comment-34625 Quiet Desperation Mon, 16 Apr 2007 07:28:29 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/04/15/websites-to-free-your-mind/#comment-34625 >>> Could it be because he does everything to >>> appear as a grumpy old man? I don't think so. I *was* a grumpy old man by the age of 22. Mentally, at least. >>> Could it be because he does everything to
>>> appear as a grumpy old man?

I don’t think so. I *was* a grumpy old man by the age of 22. Mentally, at least.

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