Palin

[todd]

Isn't anyone who self-identifies as a part of some "Skeptic Movement" an asshole by definition? The whole thing smells like Penn Gilette's greasy ponytail and John Stossel's greasy mustache.

[Pastor Josh]

Isn't anyone who self-identifies as a part of some "Skeptic Movement" an asshole by definition? The whole thing smells like Penn Gilette's greasy ponytail and John Stossel's greasy mustache.

A lot of them, yeah.  But I find it entertaining.  Penn and Stossel are pricks, though.

[crumbum]

Isn't anyone who self-identifies as a part of some "Skeptic Movement" an asshole by definition? The whole thing smells like Penn Gilette's greasy ponytail and John Stossel's greasy mustache.

Those two are both libertarians and self-identified skeptics. I think that particular combination does generally result in assholism.

[todd]

Isn't anyone who self-identifies as a part of some "Skeptic Movement" an asshole by definition? The whole thing smells like Penn Gilette's greasy ponytail and John Stossel's greasy mustache.

Those two are both libertarians and self-identified skeptics. I think that particular combination does generally result in assholism.

Well the thing is, it isn't libertarianism/skepticism that makes you smug. It's that smug cocks seek out things that let them feel superior.

[buffcoat]

Both those things.

[crumbum]

Isn't anyone who self-identifies as a part of some "Skeptic Movement" an asshole by definition? The whole thing smells like Penn Gilette's greasy ponytail and John Stossel's greasy mustache.

Those two are both libertarians and self-identified skeptics. I think that particular combination does generally result in assholism.

Well the thing is, it isn't libertarianism/skepticism that makes you smug. It's that smug cocks seek out things that let them feel superior.

well put.

[buffcoat]

Also if somebody tells you they're an Objectvist or an Ayn Rand fan or a Rush (the Canadian rock group) fan.

[yesno]

how many times can you disprove ghosts?  being a "skeptic" sounds repetitive.

[todd]

Also if somebody tells you they're an Objectvist or an Ayn Rand fan or a Rush (the Canadian rock group) fan.

Smug dicks pray at the altar of Neil Peart, who exemplifies everything we've listed so far. Their anthem? "The Trees," from Hemispheres.

[Pastor Josh]

how many times can you disprove ghosts?  being a "skeptic" sounds repetitive.

Until news organizations stop telling people that they might be real.  It is repetitive, an that's causing some tension in the skeptic movement right now.  And, it's true that pricks seek out things to make them feel superior, and that can be anything from religion to skepticism to indie rock.  Doesn't mean liking any of those things makes you a prick.

[yesno]

how many times can you disprove ghosts?  being a "skeptic" sounds repetitive.

Until news organizations stop telling people that they might be real.  It is repetitive, an that's causing some tension in the skeptic movement right now.  And, it's true that pricks seek out things to make them feel superior, and that can be anything from religion to skepticism to indie rock.  Doesn't mean liking any of those things makes you a prick.

Hey, I liked Michael Shermer's book Why People Believe Weird Things, I just don't see it as a lifestyle choice.  But, if you focus on advocacy (as opposed to preaching to the choir) I can see how it could be useful.

I agree that pricks are into everything.  But there is something about totalizing ideologies that draws them out.

[Pastor Josh]

how many times can you disprove ghosts?  being a "skeptic" sounds repetitive.

Until news organizations stop telling people that they might be real.  It is repetitive, an that's causing some tension in the skeptic movement right now.  And, it's true that pricks seek out things to make them feel superior, and that can be anything from religion to skepticism to indie rock.  Doesn't mean liking any of those things makes you a prick.

Hey, I liked Michael Shermer's book Why People Believe Weird Things, I just don't see it as a lifestyle choice.  But, if you focus on advocacy (as opposed to preaching to the choir) I can see how it could be useful.

I agree that pricks are into everything.  But there is something about totalizing ideologies that draws them out.

I think that's the main problem with the skeptical movement, that it survives by preaching to the choir.  Do they really think someone is going to wander into TAM and change their minds about anything?  When Shermer can say, with a straight face, that free markets lead to the end of child labor, then you know you have something so corrupted by ideology as to almost be worthless.  There's no outside commentary or criticism.  It can be as insular and inbred as fundamentalist religion.  That's why I like the bad astronomer and the SGU best of all--they're more open to conversation than a PZ Myers or a Penn.  However, I enjoy the podcasts, and I'm amazed at how my criticl thinking has improved since I've been challenged by them.  I appreciate what they have to teach me, but I don't want to lurk inside thier movement.  As a Christian, I wouldn't really be welcome, anyway.

[dave from knoxville]

Also if somebody tells you they're an Objectvist or an Ayn Rand fan or a Rush (the Canadian rock group) fan.

I am a Rush fan. But so is, I believe, TL.

[crumbum]

... I'm amazed at how my critical thinking has improved since I've been challenged by them.  I appreciate what they have to teach me, but I don't want to lurk inside thier movement. 

I feel the same way. After I became aware of the idea of a skeptical movement maybe five years ago, I was amazed to realize how little I had ever really considered the validity of, say, most alternative medicine. As opposed to ghosts and UFOs, that stuff actually affects many people I know.

[Stan]

 If you hand me a classical guitar I can't help but play at least the intro of The Trees. Why?

 Because, as I have proven year after year, I am a smug asshole.