Science and Magic

[Omar]

I was watching Penn & Teller: Fool US yesterday. One of the magicians on there had a interesting line. He said:
"Magic, like Science, needs skeptics".

I thought that was an interesting statement. Science needs people to question what is considered "truth", so that errors can be overturned, and a better "truth" can be discovered. But our politicians, Tech companies, and media now hold the position that science can never be questioned, and social media companies delete anyone who questions the current narrative. Not really dedicated to science, are they?

As for magic, people who see through the tricks results in better methods, and better tricks. And it also helps people from being fooled, like they were in the days of seances and spiritualism.

[RMNIXON]

Are you suggesting this Multi-Millionaire Lifetime Federal Bureaucrat is Not Science?

[Omar]

Are you suggesting this Multi-Millionaire Lifetime Federal Bureaucrat is Not Science?

He definitely doesn't invite skeptics.

[The Booman]

Science and magic. In other words global warming or whatever they are calling it this week.

[Standing Wolf]

Problems arise when skepticism is confused with denial, and when either skepticism or denial is based not on facts and knowledge, but simply on what someone, for whatever reason, wants to believe is true.

More than probably any other thing, the Internet is responsible for convincing too many individuals that their opinion - in matters of science, law, etc. - is every bit as good as literally anyone else's.

[blackjack21]

Problems arise when skepticism is confused with denial, and when either skepticism or denial is based not on facts and knowledge, but simply on what someone, for whatever reason, wants to believe is true.

More than probably any other thing, the Internet is responsible for convincing too many individuals that their opinion - in matters of science, law, etc. - is every bit as good as literally anyone else's.

I think you can blame postmodernism and relativism for people assuming their ideas are as good as anyone else's. The Internet just helps them express their views globally.

[Standing Wolf]

I think you can blame postmodernism and relativism for people assuming their ideas are as good as anyone else's. The Internet just helps them express their views globally.

Sometimes it's those things. At other times it's that a politician or other public figure has convinced them that they have to either believe or deny a thing in order to be a good citizen, a patriot, or what-have-you. Or it could be a matter of religious belief - someone who has become convinced that they can't simultaneously be a good (fill in the blank) and believe what Science is telling them.

[Omar]

Problems arise when skepticism is confused with denial, and when either skepticism or denial is based not on facts and knowledge, but simply on what someone, for whatever reason, wants to believe is true.

I've always been a big believer in free speech. A lot of people believe a lot of stupid things, but I don't think they should be shut down from being able to say them. If a scientific idea is solid, it will prevail.

[Peter1469]

Problems arise when skepticism is confused with denial, and when either skepticism or denial is based not on facts and knowledge, but simply on what someone, for whatever reason, wants to believe is true.

More than probably any other thing, the Internet is responsible for convincing too many individuals that their opinion - in matters of science, law, etc. - is every bit as good as literally anyone else's.

It is rare to find skeptics these days. Most already have their minds made up.