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Saturday, July 02, 2005 · posted at 12:30 AM

diatribe, part 3

Cruise: You just communicate about it. And the important thing is, like you and I talk about it, whether it's okay, if I want to know something, I go and find out. Because I don't talk about things that I don't understand. I'll say, you know what? I'm not so sure about that. I'll go find more information about it so I can come to an opinion based on the information that I have.

Anyone can have opinions... whether they're rational or not is another matter.

At some point, every person needs to decide what "truths" to believe and what sources to trust. There is no way that one human brain can possibly understand everything about the world. Do you understand that gravity is 9.8m/s^2 because you've conducted a highly scientifically controlled experiment and measured it... or because many groups of scientists believe that and have demonstrated that finding? Do you think that your body needs water to live because you've gone without water and died? Because you've examined cell regulation under a microscope? Or do you believe it based on others' experiences and observations?

I'm not saying that the right answer to every question is found in a textbook, or to blindly follow the opinions and beliefs of the masses. I think it's good to question and criticize methods by which one arrives at a conclusion, but every conclusion will at some point in its argument, rest upon an assumption, even the seemingly simple ones...

Situation: Jane tells me her favorite color is red.
Assumption: Jane is telling the truth.
Conclusion: Jane's favorite color is red.

I think it's completely valid to base your opinion on evidence from respectable sources who use widely-accepted methods to determine their findings (e.g. studies published in scientific journals). I think also personal experiences and anecdotes such as Brooke Shields' and Matt Lauer's speak volumes. Tom, you say you don't talk about things you don't understand. I think that's false.

Some people are lauding you, for eschewing public opinion and being so passionate about something. Allow me to sing my praises as well. Congratulations on being an inarticulate, tactless prick on national television.

Everyone is going to have their own versions of the truth... and often they will conflict with each other. What it all comes down to is "he said, she said" or "it's your word against his"... and I think I'll choose to align myself with logic and the medical community, not your aliens invading the earth.



	Saturday, July 02, 2005 · posted at 12:30 AM diatribe, part 3 Cruise: You just communicate about it. And the important thing is, like you and I talk about it, whether it's okay, if I want to know something, I go and find out. Because I don't talk about things that I don't understand. I'll say, you know what? I'm not so sure about that. I'll go find more information about it so I can come to an opinion based on the information that I have. Anyone can have opinions... whether they're rational or not is another matter. At some point, every person needs to decide what "truths" to believe and what sources to trust. There is no way that one human brain can possibly understand everything about the world. Do you understand that gravity is 9.8m/s^2 because you've conducted a highly scientifically controlled experiment and measured it... or because many groups of scientists believe that and have demonstrated that finding? Do you think that your body needs water to live because you've gone without water and died? Because you've examined cell regulation under a microscope? Or do you believe it based on others' experiences and observations? I'm not saying that the right answer to every question is found in a textbook, or to blindly follow the opinions and beliefs of the masses. I think it's good to question and criticize methods by which one arrives at a conclusion, but every conclusion will at some point in its argument, rest upon an assumption, even the seemingly simple ones... Situation: Jane tells me her favorite color is red. Assumption: Jane is telling the truth. Conclusion: Jane's favorite color is red. I think it's completely valid to base your opinion on evidence from respectable sources who use widely-accepted methods to determine their findings (e.g. studies published in scientific journals). I think also personal experiences and anecdotes such as Brooke Shields' and Matt Lauer's speak volumes. Tom, you say you don't talk about things you don't understand. I think that's false. Some people are lauding you, for eschewing public opinion and being so passionate about something. Allow me to sing my praises as well. Congratulations on being an inarticulate, tactless prick on national television. Everyone is going to have their own versions of the truth... and often they will conflict with each other. What it all comes down to is "he said, she said" or "it's your word against his"... and I think I'll choose to align myself with logic and the medical community, not your aliens invading the earth.	Recent Posts "If you've seen a spoon, you know how to spoon." ... Quotes from American Psycho:Jean: What's that? Pat... Top Ten Memorable Moments in Europe. The bird's e... Mmm. Reprocessed pig fat.The county fair is back -... But Cousin Larry...Why is it that all the calls du... You know you're getting old when the answers to EW... This is our island. It’s a good island. Until the ... I had a stereo that was very decent, a wardrobe th... Here's the truth: People, even regular people, are... You know how sometimes when you're channel surfing... Morning news babie goose ryan bluemouse daves son dawntaught desiree diorama emily escadawg galveric high entropy invisible cube jepgato kyellow lilly mhuang mogbert nudream starfish + coffee verbivore Archives March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 January 2007 March 2007 April 2007 November 2008

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