Colbert on Michael Shermer
Michael Shermer, science writer and editor of Skeptic magazine, was recently featured on The Colbert Report. It was pretty good, like all the others. Shermer did a pretty good job of explaining the need for science and skepticism, in the limited amount of time given. Favorite quote:"If you want something to work, you use science!"
He also gives examples of how to examine evidence to disprove conspiracy theories (9/11 conspiracy theories in particular) and why you can't just go on anecdotal evidence for anything! If you want to find something out, you have to research the evidence!
2 comments:
As far I'm not a supporter of conspiracies theories in general, I think the official story of 9/11 is false. I agree with David Ray Griffin in his detailed criticism of the official story of 9/11:
http://911review.com/articles/griffin/nyc1.html
To a documented criticism of some of Shermer's views on 9/11, take a look at this article:
http://www.serendipity.li/wot/sciam_reply.htm
Skepticism is a method of rational inquiry, not an ideology to defend or protect our own views. Problem with some "skeptics" is that they never use skepticism to question official stories or accepted science. It's a sign of pseudoskepticism:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudoskepticism
For a critical examination of pseudoskepticism, take a look at:
http://michaelprescott.freeservers.com/FlimFlam.htm
http://www.tricksterbook.com/ArticlesOnline/CSICOPoverview.htm
http://www.fiu.edu/~mizrachs/truzzi.html
http://www.discord.org/~lippard/stupid-skeptic-tricks.txt
http://paginas.terra.com.br/educacao/criticandokardec/criticizingskepticism.htm
http://www.discord.org/~lippard/kammann.html
http://www.canlyme.com/quackwatch.html
While I strongly disagree with many of Shermer's views, I consider him a honest guy. In fact, he had published information contrary to his views, as you can see at this video of youtube (it's a section of Shermer's program "exploring the unknown"):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N1dIUTbZTo
Congratulations for your blog.
Thanks for the comments and links Jime! I'll check them out.
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