Rethinking Skepticism

This is the body of a latter I sent to a few noted skeptics as a response to Junior Skeptic Editor Daniel Loxton's Where Do We Go From Here? and What Do I Do Next?: Leading Skeptics Discuss 105 Practical Ways to Promote Science and Advance Skepticism, which was featured on Skepticality; three times! (Look up episodes 63, 86, & 98).

Firstly, awesome podcast to one and all; and same for the new manifesto, part duo. After reading both works by Loxton (et. al.) and listening to accompanying podcasts, I feel somehow vindicated for my small efforts and pursuits in promoting skepticism and "fighting the good fight" as it were. The 'next steps' list read more like a to-do list that I kept crossing off in certain areas. Granted, this number is quite small compared to the total 105 listed, but the emotional boost was a plus. I would be surprised if no one makes a podcast series out of this, first starting with the original essay and then working through all 105 suggestions. You have a minimum of 106 episodes already, plus any dual-length episodes or expanded topics and possible interviews. By then, the supposed next step in this evolving process of 'evolving skepticism into the modern world' as joked about in the most recent podcast will have been published, allowing for even more content. One might also take up this task from a more "Joe-Skeptic" angle; that is, to take these idea from the perspective of a skeptic not of the ranking of Randi, Dunning, Swoopy, or Watson. It's an idea worth exploring. As for myself, I already try to promote skepticism in my own podcast that covers anything and everything (with commentary all around), in the various postings I make around the interwebs, in my poetry and writing, in my own personal and social life, at work and school, and even am a member of a Bigfoot "research" group as their Official Skeptic (whether or not I'm just the token skeptics is debatable but I'm so-far respected and have not been ostracized ...yet), though so far I have done much of my musing with them through their forums (I'm temped to lead a "field expedition" this summer just for kicks and for the chance to get out into the woods and see what critters and evidence we can 'spook' up!). I'm not making much of a splash but a splash is made and apparently that's what counts.

Some things I have noted in my own interactions with the skeptical movement give me pause to reflect on things. What bugs me to no end about the skeptical movement is the apparent adherence to rhetoric. It is one thing to read a homeopathic claim and have one's doubts, it is quite another to denounce someone's personal experience offhand. It's not that I think they are on to something or should be used as empirical evidence; rather, I fear we as a movement are losing too many potential "converts" due to how many situations are handled. We might not have dogma in the skeptical movement, but you don't need it for others to think that you do. A personal face need to be put back on the name skeptic and believers alike. While shows like "Skeptics Guide to the Universe" are an invaluable resource of information and entertainment for skeptic (and believer), certain talking points and buzz-words, or what appear to be, are all too often sounded-off like at a political rally. While it might better resemble rhetoric as Sophocles and Aristotle knew it, far too often this verbiage resembles the contemporary definition with all its negative and dastardly connotations. As was made clear in an episode of "Skepticality", when a Seattle skeptic overturned many preconceived notions about The Discovery Institute, while affirming others, we skeptics must be careful not to start categorizing believers based on assumed knowledge and stereotypes. Just as skeptics are trying to put a human face back on the movement, there is a very human face to all those who see the world differently, if incorrectly. This effort to re-envision skepticism will utterly fail if the diatribe we speak presents this face-lift as merely a mask to cover an ugly stereotype, which would then prove more fact than fiction. We must be careful to remember that such generalizations are made for a reason, and that the truthful basis for such otherwise bias and narrow-minded views are often much larger than many would like to admit. We must also be sure not to dismiss the concerns or even complaints of believers about skeptics; even the hypocrite can make a valid point. If rhetoric is a "necessary evil", then let it be less about the fundamentals of science as the only way to truth and more about personal relations that bring real change to people who more likely than not truly search for the truth. The rest just comes naturally, as it were. While podcasts and other mass audience forums need a more generalized approach, their model for success should not be the foundation of the "man on the streets", which appears more commons than not.

I find myself less interested in involving myself with most skeptical groupings or events, like forums, local meet-ups, talks, etc., and prefer to listen to podcasts and do my own promotion through my own channels. The reason is simple: I feel stupid and useless in them. It is one thing to expect a certain level of knowledge in a given area, quite another to demand it like a proficiency test to get into MIT or Harvard. Few of us have the time and resources to be adept at a great many things or topics, and certainly for skeptics this broad pool of information is of utmost importance. It is the cornerstone of our ability to understand the world for what it truly is and for how we defend this rational and scientific view of reality. Yet there is a sense of superiority and pompous in many of these skeptical social gatherings that is a major turn off. I do make an effort to acknowledge the failings of the human condition in these instances and admit feeling the arrogance all too often present when one knows that others who are steadfast in their ways are lacking a more clear understanding of reality. This said, when I browse a skeptical forum, I feel I can offer nothing to the conversation and find some of the conversations being had rather disheartening. I also fully admit for sounding off like a bigot on certain religious issues when my banter and opinion gain their peak during my rantings and enjoy inflaming those I might otherwise wish to persuade to my point of view, or at least debate with constructively. However, the line between personal opinion, ranting, and objective understanding are all too often lost in the mix. Like what is seen on any of the news outlets over the last decades, opinion and fact have not been given proper distinguishing lines; such is even more of a problem online. As for the face-to-face skeptical meetings, many reflect the boring features of bible studies from my youth, except there is science in place of scripture and usually beer (both of which I will NEVER complain about). I feel unfulfilled, like with some podcasts. Maybe my experiences are just that ad I do not reflect even a minority of skeptics, but I speak out anyway. While the group gatherings and fellowship with other skeptics is akin to religious believers and church, from a sociological perspective, I think a promotion of "the lone skeptic" might help more become more active in "spreading the faith"... or lack thereof, as it were. Not everyone can serve in such socially-based ways ad it is likely a benefit to have those who are able to go their own way in furthering "the good fight". Standards will always be needed to ensure quality but how they are kept can be done with a lot more heart and a lot less ego by certain individuals. We all are on a never-ending journey to acquire new knowledge ad should never forget it.

I know some of these observations have been touched on in the two essays but I speak them to say my peace. I will continue my own efforts and hope you all will yours. I think these essays are on the right track to breathing new life into the skeptical community. To further this discussion, I will be making then an "open letter", that is, I will also be posting it to a couple of my web-logs. (Just F.Y.I.) Hopefully something worthwhile will come of it all. Until then, thank you all for your time.

Your thoughts?

Damn, another year...

One more trip around the sun and all I get is this odd smell about me. Oh well. Still working on papers for school finals. Should have number two done tonight. Then one more to go. Work today then papers. No enjoying my birthday today. Will get to changing up this blog as some point.