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Is there anything skeptics can't reduce

ruach1

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ruach1
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Is there anything skeptics can't reduce
into something that is meaningless in its own right, insignificant in its own right, or fallacious at best?

If so, what then does this mean?
 
ruach1 said:
Is there anything skeptics can't reduce
into something that is meaningless in its own right, insignificant in its own right, or fallacious at best?
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Sure there is. Hard facts. Like electricity. Electricity is useful, significant, and works the way scientists have described it.

If so, what then does this mean?
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It means that we're not as pruney and cynical as you think we are.


Not everything ever said is factual.
There are ways to determine what is factual and what is not.
Things that are factual are meaningful and significant.
Things that aren't, aren't.
 
ruach1 said:
Is there anything skeptics can't reduce
into something that is meaningless in its own right, insignificant in its own right, or fallacious at best?....
Click to expand...

Well, apparently so. We have "water is wet" and "electricity is useful, significant, and works the way scientists have described it."

...If so, what then does this mean?...
Click to expand...

It means that skeptics aren't as pruney and cynical as I think they are.

Still incredibly pruney and cynical, but it appears there's hope.

This is a good sign.

"Good? Prove it."
 
ruach1 said:
Is there anything skeptics can't reduce
into something that is meaningless in its own right, insignificant in its own right, or fallacious at best?

If so, what then does this mean?
Click to expand...
Why yes. Yest there is. Its called "evidence" this miraculous stuff is nearly invincible to the most brutal reductive tactic that skeptics can muster. It withstands the most intense screening procedures. It cannot be foiled by logical arguments.

So we must ask why this incredible commodity is not used more often by those who would like to quell the rapacious skeptics? Is it because evidence is noxious? Is it because it is dangerous? Or is it simply hard to find? One thing is certain. If the credulous could lay their hands on this elusive substance, they would leave skeptics on every side gaping in amazement at their folly. That is why some have tried to manufacture it and pass it off as the real thing. This actually works on many people, but not on skeptics. Being connoisseurs of evidence, they recognize real evidence from the synthetic stuff. It must be collected naturally, not manufactured in some fundamentalist think tank.

So if you want to dismay a skeptic, bring your evidence and if it is real, they will bow to you. But don't try to fool them with fake evidence. They know the difference.
 
Huntster said:
It means that skeptics aren't as pruney and cynical as I think they are.
Click to expand...


Everyday skepticism is about questioning things that seem questionable. For instance, I've been sick and I've been up at some really odd times watching odd TV.

I was watching some guy this morning hawking his "Natural Cures" CD. He kept talking about how the FDA doesn't want you to read these secrets.

http://www.naturalcures.com/

A section entirely dedicated on how to prevent every disease.
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Well, instead of becoming fasinated by this snakeoil salesman, my skepticism alert was sounding loud and clear and I moved on down the dial. But obviously, this guy is doing pretty good so somebody is buying what he's shoveling.

That's what I consider skepticism - learning how to think critically and learning how to sort fact from fiction. It's a skill that has to be learned and practiced.
 
ruach1 said:
Is there anything skeptics can't reduce
into something that is meaningless in its own right, insignificant in its own right, or fallacious at best?

If so, what then does this mean?
Click to expand...

Is there anything that woos can't build up into something that has meaning beyond its own right, overblown beyond its own right, and fallacious at best?
 
ruach1 said:
Is there anything skeptics can't reduce
into something that is meaningless in its own right, insignificant in its own right, or fallacious at best?
Click to expand...
Real things and true statements.

If so, what then does this mean?
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Reality rocks!

Here is an example.

mandarin02.jpg


These fish are more wonderful than anything anyone could make up, and a thousand times more wonderful because they exist.
 
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The universe? do you not think the night sky is a miracle in itself and a thing of great beauty and wonder?
 
Dr Adequate said:
These fish are more wonderful than anything anyone could make up, and a thousand times more wonderful because they exist.
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Ehh...we could spruce em up some....

Edit: Resizing sucks...damn, now the joke is ruined.
 

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Well, I can't reduce something that is not oxidized in the first place.
 
Wasn't that question a little loaded like: " Have fundamentalist christians stop treating thier women like second class citizens?"
 
Dr Adequate said:
....These fish are more wonderful than anything anyone could make up, and a thousand times more wonderful because they exist.
Click to expand...

Excuse the skeptic in me, but how do I know they exist?

All you have is a photo. It was sent from a computer. How do I know it wasn't enhanced?

Do you have any more credible evidence that those specific fish truly exist?
 
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