Wow, I'm with Jim and Stephen on this one. Some times there is not a reasonable alternative perspective, as per the existence of ESP as well as the very tragic history of the vaccine leads to autism scam. For both of these stories, there is little room for what Michael refers to as the "scientific attitude," as both of these perspectives have been shown to be scientifically fraudulent over and over and over; i.e. innumerable times. So of course those of us with an understanding of valid scientific methodology become angry and and use irony and ridicule as we see how they reveal how poorly these stories are covered by the media and how little understanding the media and public understand what it means to have valid scientific proof for a theory. And now we have to battle not only so-called lay folks but our own psychological journals. It's so very frustrating and demoralizing.
Joan [email protected] > Hi > > Personally, I believe that Stephen's posting is quite appropriate given > the subject matter. But putting my naturalistic biases aside, I would > assume that even believers in a supernatural realm would have some issue > with claims that certain people are able to communicate with the deceased > (or whatever immaterial elements are left of them). Indeed one of the > ironies, perhaps, of claiming such an ability is that it brings the whole > area of the "beyond" under scientific purview, whereas large numbers of > believers appear to prefer that the two domains remain separate (i.e., > Gould's separate magisteria). I guess one concern could be that > discrediting claims of scientific contact with the supernatural plane > might only serve to undermine further people's beliefs. > > Take care > Jim > > James M. Clark > Professor of Psychology > 204-786-9757 > 204-774-4134 Fax > [email protected] > >>>> Michael Smith <[email protected]> 11-Jan-11 9:49:02 PM >>> > In reading your post, it seems as though your posting is riddled with > sarcasm, ridicule, and a-priori assumption. > > > When reading it, a scientific attitude is not what comes to mind. > > > --Mike > > --- > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. > To unsubscribe click here: > http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a891720c9&n=T&l=tips&o=7848 > or send a blank email to > leave-7848-13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a89172...@fsulist.frostburg.edu > > > --- > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. > To unsubscribe click here: > http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=49240.d374d0c18780e492c3d2e63f91752d0d&n=T&l=tips&o=7850 > or send a blank email to > leave-7850-49240.d374d0c18780e492c3d2e63f91752...@fsulist.frostburg.edu > > --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=7871 or send a blank email to leave-7871-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
