Yes, I think the JREF needs the 'little people' to succeed in its mission.
I haven't been around this site that long. There are numerous areas in which I am not an expert, nor am I knowledgable. I'm sure the same holds true for everyone.
There are things I'm able to easily debunk, either based on my personal knowledge base and/or experiences or ability to access that information (given knowledge and spare time). However there are numerous things I wouldn't be as apt at doing.
Having that support allows for people to best address it. I haven't been around here long, so I'll use the Coghill thread/claim as an example. I'm certainly not an expert in that area. I have some very basic understandings of the principles involved, but it's not an area I'd consider myself well-versed in. Now, like most people, I could spend considerable time and effort reading up and countering various arguments. However...truthfully, I don't care enough to do so. I looked into it enough to not be particularly impressed, but I wasn't motivated enough to really 'get involved' (other than posting my opinions on the infant thing). Anyway I don't want to get too specific because I'm merely using it to make a point. Several people in the forum ARE well-versed in those areas and/or have the interest and time to do the reading and look at it in-depth and offer the counters.
As the discussion continues (for any of interest to keep reading it) others can learn more.
To me, that's the value. I don't have the time, effort, energy or even inclination to become an expert in everything I'd need to be to successfully address every whacko psuedo-science or paranormal or woo woo thing. And there's
lots of 'em. And they do considerable harm. I DO have an interest though in exposing that junk because of the considerable harm it does in so many ways.
No
one person is capable of doing that though. And even more importantly, even people well educated or experts in various areas can be absolutely and utterly
wrong. That's the additional benefit of a community. Even though everyone won't be as well versed in every subject...enough will to cross-check the work, or point out flaws or weaknesses or flat out errors.
I read the JREF page for probably at least two years before ever finding the forums. I don't even recall what led me to the JREF page originally, other than it was probably the million dollar challenge. I've used that to counter arguments on another board from very sincere people who absolutely 100% believe in various television 'psychics'. It's the ultimate trump card. If it's true...why don't they prove it? You can't say it's not about the money, television psychics are well paid. You can't say they can't perform on demand, when they do so on a regular basis on television.
As much as I learned reading the JREF site, it doesn't compare to things I've learned and read since joining the community. Sure there's a lot of 'fluff' as well, and I know there's a big issue with that at the moment and I'm not trying to dredge it up. However. I have learned a
tremendous amount just by participating in this community for a short period of time. I've even recently purchased some books by Martin Gardner...which I may have missed otherwise (much to my loss).
Whatever the JREF community really is, or really isn't...is a matter of personal perspective. However the forum community as I've experienced it has been an invaluable resource in information and getting involved.
What's the real benefit? Every person who reads here and walks away knowing something they didn't before, has that knowledge to present the next time someone mentions these woo-woos. On a highly personal level they can tell the person, "No, that's not true...
and here's why."
You could demonstrate absolute proof of ...whatever...to a room full of people, and even so some, maybe many will still cling to their beliefs. Maybe because they want to, or they have personal investment. Maybe because they don't want to feel a fool. Maybe because hope sells...whatever.
But if even
one additional person listens, and finds out more for themselves, then that's one more person to say "No, that's not true, and here's why!"
That counters the harm.
Do I think that the JREF needs grassroots support? I think we all need it. I think it has a tremendous potential for good, to encourage people to arm themselves with information. ESPECIALLY if a skeptic counters their beliefs, and the person challenged being skeptical themselves goes to learn more. You can't ask for more than that. That's the whole point! Go...and learn more.
Anyway, long post and I'm still new, but I think its absolutely essential. I don't think it is just the JREF that needs it. I need it. I think we all do.
