The woo mongers have won. I now understand why the skeptics left. There is no point in discussing anything at all on this forum in terms of facts and critical thinking. May I suggest this forum be renamed "Psi-not-science Quest?"
I guess you don't believe that parapsychological and paranormal phenomena can be scientific...?
It is facts and critical thinking that have kept the study of paranormal phenomena alive in the face of the sneering dismissals by the skeptics.
Not seeing this request hold water.
Some skeptics left because they failed to make their case not only here but to the public at large, others lost interest or had some personal issue with how COVID discussion was handled. It is important, IMO, to put the skeptics leaving with the general failure of the skeptic movement.
But what evidence is there that discussion is not scientific? As I've said you can go to science-based, even skeptic forums, and people will discuss utter nonsense like undetectable universes of MWI or programs magically making the computers they run on conscious. If anything we're more science based than some of the ridiculous major science-news sites out there.
At least Psi has some evidence backing it. You can criticize the evidence itself, and there's stuff I seriously like doubt like Bengson's healing methods vs stuff I take seriously like Krippner's dream telepathy work...also Intelligent Design that I think is questionable...but evidence of any kind still goes beyond something like the Multiverse of MWI or machine "learning" hitting some undefined threshold that makes it self-aware.
There are a variety of theories that have been debunked because the studies failed to replicate, especially in psychology. As such even people advocating for ideas you don't think hold muster requires some actual argument.
Brian, as an 'often skeptic' myself I have to say this is one of the least dogmatic places I've found for such discussions. Doesn't mean we all don't have our own sacred cows and strong-help biases but generally I find this community to be VERY low on the dogmatic scale. To Sci's point, much less so than many supposed 'scientific' communities.
Mod here.
Given that the opening post in this thread is not a genuine suggestion for the board, but more of a "skeptical" criticism of its general membership, we moderators have decided that it best belongs in the SvP forum. And although we prefer that criticism like it be directed at specific posts in specific contexts for specific reasons, we don't seek to stifle it, so long as it doesn't overrun the board and interfere with ordinary discussions, so we are leaving the thread up and the conversation open.
(2023-05-08, 03:47 PM)Brian Wrote: [ -> ]The woo mongers have won. I now understand why the skeptics left. There is no point in discussing anything at all on this forum in terms of facts and critical thinking. May I suggest this forum be renamed "Psi-not-science Quest?"
Brian, tell me if I am wrong, but I think you want to believe there is a larger non-physical reality, but are concerned not to get sucked into an unscientific/religious/woo way of thinking. I think a lot of people are like that, but I don't think true sceptics even spend time on websites like this - just as I wouldn't spend time on the flat earth society's website.
You might do better to spell out your thoughts and your uncertainties rather than just mildly insult others for being here.
David
(2023-05-08, 03:47 PM)Brian Wrote: [ -> ]The woo mongers have won. I now understand why the skeptics left. There is no point in discussing anything at all on this forum in terms of facts and critical thinking. May I suggest this forum be renamed "Psi-not-science Quest?"
I'm sorry, but coming from someone who has in the past professed rather strong religious beliefs who has posted several threads about atheist vs theist topics, the jab of "woo mongers" is a compliment. Clean the woo out of your own beliefs first before attacking other people's actual hard work trying to figure out what is and isn't real.
(2023-05-11, 02:01 AM)Mediochre Wrote: [ -> ]I'm sorry, but coming from someone who has in the past professed rather strong religious beliefs who has posted several threads about atheist vs theist topics, the jab of "woo mongers" is a compliment. Clean the woo out of your own beliefs first before attacking other people's actual hard work trying to figure out what is and isn't real.
I wish Brian would discuss his beliefs and fears openly on this forum - I mean that is surely one of the purposes of the forum.
Just attacking others by calling them 'woo' is not likely to help him, but I guess is ultimately likely to get him banned.
David