(May 25, 2014 at 2:32 am)BlackMason Wrote: Another thing on a side note: I'm a sceptic so I fully understand the value of backing up things. I sometimes think that as sceptics, we over do our requirement to have furnished proof of what we talk about. As in this case I think we over do it to the point of paranoia. I feel this way especially since it is near impossible to back up somethings in conversation. So should we just not talk to each other and drop the discussion? Should we walk around with giant stacks of paper just in case we may run into a discussion? No, you fucking asinine fool. The overboard scepticism is also a cheap defense system. Find yourself in a sticky situation, no problem! Elevate your scepticism to unassailable levels. Rinse repeat and problem solved.
No, no, no! Asking someone to back up their assertion with evidence is the only way we discuss things. It doesn't apply to everything like throwaway statements like 'I have a dog' but when you assert something relevant to the topic, and someone disagrees with you, you are obliged to reveal how you know this. This is just a stupid attempt to avoid the burden of proof.
(May 25, 2014 at 2:32 am)BlackMason Wrote: Not everyone has access to information readily available jackass!
You are on the internet, everyone has access to information. And if you don't have that particular information at hand, well then, you should wait until you do before you assert something.
'The more I learn about people the more I like my dog'- Mark Twain
'You can have all the faith you want in spirits, and the afterlife, and heaven and hell, but when it comes to this world, don't be an idiot. Cause you can tell me you put your faith in God to put you through the day, but when it comes time to cross the road, I know you look both ways.' - Dr House
“Young earth creationism is essentially the position that all of modern science, 90% of living scientists and 98% of living biologists, all major university biology departments, every major science journal, the American Academy of Sciences, and every major science organization in the world, are all wrong regarding the origins and development of life….but one particular tribe of uneducated, bronze aged, goat herders got it exactly right.” - Chuck Easttom
"If my good friend Doctor Gasparri speaks badly of my mother, he can expect to get punched.....You cannot provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others. You cannot make fun of the faith of others. There is a limit." - Pope Francis on freedom of speech
'You can have all the faith you want in spirits, and the afterlife, and heaven and hell, but when it comes to this world, don't be an idiot. Cause you can tell me you put your faith in God to put you through the day, but when it comes time to cross the road, I know you look both ways.' - Dr House
“Young earth creationism is essentially the position that all of modern science, 90% of living scientists and 98% of living biologists, all major university biology departments, every major science journal, the American Academy of Sciences, and every major science organization in the world, are all wrong regarding the origins and development of life….but one particular tribe of uneducated, bronze aged, goat herders got it exactly right.” - Chuck Easttom
"If my good friend Doctor Gasparri speaks badly of my mother, he can expect to get punched.....You cannot provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others. You cannot make fun of the faith of others. There is a limit." - Pope Francis on freedom of speech