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.

Redesign In Mind

I'm thinking this "writing blog" is not working out. Think I'll convert this into cross-post for my podcast, Back 2 Square 1. I'm using my lj blog more often now for odds n' sods. You'd think I'd be smart and have posted some of those writing prompts from school on this blog. Oh well, I'll figure something out. I'll likely be cross-posting on that blog, too. Thinking of reformatting the show anyway. Hopefully we'll be recording a new show here next week.

Reflections Upon A Guilty Verdict

Alright, so there was one major deal that I forgot to mention and honestly would rather forget. Neither will happen so let's get on with it. A couple weeks ago (or something like that) I stumbled upon a website that ultimately forced me to conclude I was in the wrong. It makes you stop and think: "What the fuck?" I admit, I didn't see it coming but I feel better now that it is behind me, for say. "Art" Thief: Your Help Needed! & All Rise: Guilty Verdict is Rendered should explain all the juicy details.

Honestly, for all that I have tried to remember, I still cannot understand (nor remember) how I placed myself in such a position. I obviously did not help that I was confronted with the issue and perhaps this is for the best. (One must admit, my taking action on this stance helps my request for forgiveness from my readers.) I have always been against plagiarism and remain so. Part of this is admitting when you have failed and owning up to it. For myself, I used the term "involuntary plagiarism" because it was just that (to the best of my current knowledge). I might have been a lot dumber than I thought back then but such a tasteless move just does not make any sense for me to do. However, regardless of what qualifier you place on it, the act itself remains. I have spoken my peace on the subject already through the two linked journals above, but this topic needed to be brought up here. I have moved on from this but the memory will always haunt me.

If there is a lesson to take from this, it is to make sure you never put yourself in such a position; EVER. Still, if this advice comes too late, own up and make it public. Snip your balls, deflate your ego, and man up to it. This way, you admit the error of you past actions and save what you have left. My watchers on dA have been ever so kind with my admittance, though I am unsure if that as more to do with the fact that they just don't care. At any rate, I am lucky to have corrected this before I got published. It was a dumb mistake regardless of how you slice it and I've done all I can to amend my fault in this matter. Hopefully 2009 will be a little more positive in that respect.

Chistmas... An Editorial

Well, here is the end of this year... and another post. The only thing more perplexing than my need to have three "blogs" (not counting the one Curtis T. has) is the fact that this one seems the least needed... and that I mention that fact every time I post. It seems I use this site more as a backwards R.S.S. reader than anything. Well, hopefully I'll find more use for it in the new year... School is out and Christmas just passed. I got a lot of good gifts, including some new music (thanks to iTunes and Amazon), a digital picture frame, and other stuff. I've been building snowmen in homage of Calvin and Hobbes and working the the most snow this region has seen in a good long time. My grades came back and all is well: 2.8, 3.5, 3.9 for the various classes. You would think with all the big papers and stress I was under getting them done this journal would have been a great way to take a break and get my mind of things. Well, again that's what you and I both get for thinking. Three large papers (all 6-10 pages or so) over the span of three weeks to write. After this, I tried to keep trudging along but found I could only get once edit out of my E7 fan-fic. Amazing how sitting down to watch the Futurama movie (well, the first one anyway) helped me clear my mind. Guess I sometimes need to do something rather mindless. (Another way to get my mind off writing for a bit is the snowman project I've been working on.) Got the podcast up and running finally: Back 2 Square 1 Next episode will be up next week. Will likely resubmit the pilot before posting the second episode. 116 download requests so far! Well, let's get back on a writing topic: here is a holiday centric editorial I did about Christmas. Don't get too offended now...

Christians bitch that Christmas has become to secular. People have obviously list the true/original meaning of the holiday; the reason for the season, as it were: baby Jesus and all that stuff. True, the commercialization of the holidays makes many of us wish for its quick execution by the time the first of December comes around, but it is clear many (if not most) Christians forget that they stole what would become Christmas today from the pagans. Ever hear of Yule and the other various Winter festivals that usually centered around the winter soloist? There are much more things to celebrate this time of year than the supposed birth of carpenter's son whose real birthday is likely in mid-Spring. Hanukkah can make a better pass for being celebrated around this time of year than Kwanzaa, which doesn't make much sense to anyone (even Kwanzaa-bot!). Both of these the average Christians would likely look down upon; like they have sole right to the season... sure, some of their gripes are legit, but their reasoning behind their banter is no more selfish and self-righteous than at any other time of the year.

Atheists, Humanists, and other non-religious folk seem to complain that you cannot escape Christmas. Everywhere you go, there it is! You are also expected to celebrate it in some way; if you don't, you are ostracized as a Grinch, Scrooge, or worse and in some cases for to participate anyway. Most non-Judaic religious faiths and the like agree that the pressure and overwhelming nature of the Christmas season is very degrading to those who do not wish to join in the festivities. Again, the total commercialization of the holiday is not helping here and with most of America (and many other Western countries) in on the National event, it would be unavoidable even if not the time of year when many businesses finally start to make a profit. Still, that's what you get for living in a Christian-majority country. Most of the season no longer revolves around a manger but bells, and cash registers and the almighty dollar. There a plenty of other reason to celebrate the season, including selfless work to help needy people, being nice to your fellow humans for once, a reason to be happy in a dark and dreary part of the year.

Ironic, it is, that Christians bitch that Christmas is too secular and other religions and the non-religious complain that it is too religious. Just like with most things in the war between religion (any) and secularism (non-religion), both sides see the other's influence and cry foul. While each has legitimate points of concern, they always seem to make it like some horrid thing that is gong to destroy the fabric of our society... yet every year, here we remain. Yeah, it would be nice not to be subjected to the music and commercials and the holiday cheer everywhere you turn, and it would be nice if for once in its existence humanity would finally grow up so there would be peace on earth, good will towards men/women/etc.; it would also be nice if we could care more about each other the rest of the year and perhaps even more so during this time rather they speaking this feel-good mantra while otherwise cursing the idiot in front of us (however much they deserve it) and priding ourselves for swiping the last must-have item and reveling in the tears and muddled curses of those who came too late.

The holidays as we know them today are but a product of our own creation. We built this mixed bag of nuts regardless of our own intents and further it with our actions each year. No matter how you perceive reality or your opinion on the Christmas season, you -all- and responsible for it. All the good and bad aspect of humanity come out in full force this time of year and whether you bow to God or Allah or Shiva or reject all of their existences and advocate the annulment of the entire fiasco (gods included), and all points in between, we as a species are the enemy we fight to make this time of year what we want; and just like every year that has come before this, we fail. We fail because we forgot ourselves, we fail because we are blind to what the solution to all our problems is, we fail because we cannot see beyond our own self-interests as individuals and member of our various blocs and groups. Everyone wants what they see as the best way to celebrate the season or not. How very selfish. What this season should symbolize is what is lacking throughout the rest of the year; and that should be retained throughout the rest of the year regardless.

As an Agnostic, I enjoy the secular Christmas season but find the commercialized overwhelming presence of the holiday to be enough to drive a man to drink... more often than he already does. I see the beauty of the spiritual/religious aspects and for those who need it, that is fine by me. Those who don't want anything to do with the season, I've been there myself. For America, and I might go further to say any country, we live in a world where you cannot just sit idly by in your own little click and forget that others exists or that these others should bow down to how you view the world. Majority rules in a democracy, but that does not mean the majority is always right or should abandon the minority. Yes, there are many places where this ideology does not apply. Good for them. To me, I celebrate this season in my own way and detail with the part that I cannot honestly change. Yes, this does make me accountable for trying to make things "better", but who am I to make that call? Who are any of us? I merely strive to my this time of year a enjoyable one for myself and those I chose to care about; everyone should at least do that; remembering, of course, that we should only extend an invitation to other to join in our ways and move on if they decide otherwise.

Christmas is what you make of it... or not. So stop bitching and start doing! Just don't make an ass out of yourself in the process! In closing: Merry Fucking Christmas, ya filthy animals; and a Happy Bloody New Year!

November 4, 2008: Lest We Forget

Hey, here's an idea: multiple entries for one month and something about writing that isn't a general update! I really should get back to my school work. Still, I have to post my latest attempt to get people motivated about the future and continuing to "fight the good fight". I think this is written well. Any thoughts?

November 4, 2008 is a day among days; the coming of age for those once enslaved by the United State of America. It is a day that shall live on in all Americans. Barak Obama is a milestone on the path of civil rights, liberties, and equality. It truly is a historic day; sadly, it is also a tragic one. It is tragic as another minority was denied equality and civil liberty: the states of Arizona, California, and Florida approved a constitutional ban on gay marriage. This vote sets a shameful precedent and balks at the notion of “justice for all”. The road to Civil Rights and civil liberties still beckons all travelers, for the journey is far from over. Once more, victory has shown itself to be obtainable. While many rightfully celebrate, let not this triumph mask the battles still ahead.

‘This is the Negro’s hour.’ Such was the sentiment of Frederick Douglass when finally African-Americans acquired the right to vote. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony disagreed. However, when this time had elapsed, Douglass returned to the suffrage of women. Such is the example all supporters of civil liberties must now embrace. While the continual integration of the Negro into Anglo-Saxon America must not be forgotten, it is time the torch of egalitarianism be passed. The remaining racial minorities, non-theists, and many others still need our persistent support. However, if one cause must be chosen as a galvanizing force, then let it be homosexual civil liberties; for its resolution and realization will do best to further stem the hate and bigotry.

“In defense of the right to [...] marry whom we please -- we might quote some of the basic principles of our government [and] suggest that in some things individual rights to tastes should control… [those choices],” declared Stanton regarding the marriage of Douglass to Helen Pitts, a white feminist; but this new goal transcends marriage rights, for it embodied that which defines America. In this new future, let us not forget the lessons learned: “It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that’s pretty important,” reminded Dr. King. November’s progress is the foundation of the new endeavor for civil liberties. Still, while we should not tarry long, in this hour let us all rest and rejoice as one!

Vote Early, Vote Often!

Short little non-writing blip about voting for all you Americans out there. VOTE! Even if you think things are rigged, even if you don't like the candidates (there are more than two, ya know!), even if you think the energy elite run the planet, VOTE! Play the game, follow the song and dance; this way, if things don't go your way, then you can raise all holy hell and they got nothing on you. There are a lot of big issues, too, on the ballets like doctor prescribed drugs to hasten death for terminally ill patients (Initiative 1000) in Washington state or the anti-gay marriage bill (Prop 8) in California. Vote for the good of the country, not yourself. Vote based not on the enforcement of your religious beliefs on others but on what will benefit the most Americans. Freedom from and of religion, that is a key part of every election. Human rights and dignity are also in the balance. Show the rest of the world that the "leading" democracy is actually worthy of the title. Remember: vote early, vote often; that is, don't put it off and do it consistently. (Sorry, mayor Daily.)

"The Republican Party has nominated John McCain, the senior United States Senator from Arizona as its nominee; the Democratic Party has nominated Barack Obama, the junior United States Senator from Illinois, as its nominee. The Libertarian Party has nominated former Congressman Bob Barr, the Constitution Party pastor and radio talk show host Chuck Baldwin, and the Green Party former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. Ralph Nader declined to seek the Green Party nomination and is running as an independent candidate." -United States Presidential Election, 2008 - Wikipedia

"Initiative 1000 (I-1000) is a ballot measure dealing with aid in dying that will be on the ballot in the US state of Washington in the November 4, 2008 general election. The effort was started by former Governor Booth Gardner. Supporters of I-1000 submitted about 310,000 petition signatures from registered voters, surpassing the state's requirement of 225,000 valid signatures for ballot status. Secretary of State Sam Reed certified the initiative July 25, 2008 after confirming at least 224,880 signatures to be valid." -Initiative 1000 - Wikipedia

"Proposition 8 is an initiative state constitutional amendment on the 2008 California General Election ballot, titled Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry. If passed, the proposition will "change the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California." A new section would be added stating "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."" -California Proposition 8 (2008) - Wikipedia

Edit: Obama wins! Anti-gay marriage wins... I-1000 wins!