What does it mean to be skeptical?
What does it mean to cast doubt on something you feel is not right, despite popular consensus?
What does one refer to when judging whether or not something is real?
The following is a crash course on common claims that have failed under proper scientific scrutiny.
Homeopathy
Reiki
Magnetic Healing
Applied Kinesiology
Iridology
Vertebral Subluxations (meaning having your back cracked by a Chiropractor)
Acupuncture
Chi
(Pretty much every form of alternative medicine)
Childhood Vaccinations Causing Autism
The plausibility and existence of supernatural entities
(such as ghosts, poltergeists, angels, and gods. this includes any and all gods) creationism/intelligent design, miracles and the power of prayer
As well as the existence of:
ESP/telekinesis
Psychic Powers
Telepathy
Thus the Credibility of Parapsychology
Any form of:
Spoon Bending
Tarot Card Reading
Palm Reading
Fortune Telling
Astrology
Clairvoyance
Dream Premonitions
Topics in crypto-zoology:
Bigfoot
The Loch Ness Monster
Chupacabra
Mothman
Rod Insects
Yetti
Unicorns
Fairys etc
Alien Visitations
UFOs
Crop Circles
Repressed Memories
Dowsing
Conspiracy Theories and the list goes on
No one wants to be called gullible.
When all else fails you must ask yourself , “how likely is the claim”. “who is informing me of this claim and is their a chance they could be biased towards it”. “what natural laws or scientific theories does the claim bend or completely defy in order to be possible?”. “has real scientific evidence been presented, or does it rely on testimonial evidence, or any subjective evidence”?
consider this a primer for a greater understanding of reality. It might be difficult at first to look skeptically at a commonly accepted claim or belief system, but you owe it to yourself to find the truth as it is based in reality. The scientific method is our legacy, it is a testament to the need to really know why and to the many great thinkers who came before us and cleared a path through the think entanglement of superstitions and pseudo-science. It’s in our nature to as “Why” and we developed the discipline of skepticism to make sure our answers are based in reality. Because if our answers aren’t based in reality, then they are just bullshit.
Duration : 0:9:22
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Paranormal investigator Dr. Joe Nickell (Center for Skeptical Inquiry) and Cryptozoology expert Graham Watkins (formerly of the J. B. Rhine institute, author) and both alumni of University of Kentucky but journeymen of very different paths met at Dragon*Con in September 2009 to discuss cryptozoology. Nickell, a long time skeptic, and Watkins, a spirited proponent of parapsychology, effortlessly display a civil discourse on unknown and speculative animals.