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  1. Rambutan

    Tim Grimes, Stop Thinking So Much, It Really Is an Option |482|

    Gotta thank Alex for the introduction to Tim Grimes. After listening to the episode I bought and read the book last night (it's very short) and it's been something of a revelation for me. I now realize that, for as long as I can remember, I've been subtly beating myself up for not being A...
  2. Rambutan

    Are conspiracy theorists wrong about almost everything?

    Not to mention that Godel proved long ago that mathematics isn't even internally consistent (or at least that it can't be proven to be so) Thanks for sharing that lecture, looks very interesting. It's quite a commitment though, wish there was a Ted Talk version ha ha Looks like the full 6 hr...
  3. Rambutan

    Are conspiracy theorists wrong about almost everything?

    Thanks for the reply, that's helpful. I don't dismiss any of that, I think it's a good start. But, I'm sure we could also agree that none of this evidence is compelling enough to stand on its own as incontrovertible. Even if all of this evidence is 100% legitimate (and I have no reason to think...
  4. Rambutan

    Are conspiracy theorists wrong about almost everything?

    Good guess, yes certainly those :). I'd also add plandemic to the mix, although thankfully it seemed that Alex was leaning away ever so slightly from that one and appearing to reserve judgement. The "physicalist agenda" one I don't buy but at least I'm aware of the factual underpinnings...
  5. Rambutan

    Are conspiracy theorists wrong about almost everything?

    Yeah, style aside I have to say that Alex has pulled apart the materialist paradigm brilliantly over the years by engaging with the actual data and having meaningful deep-dive discussions with no-nonsense guests. And it's probalby the case that his bold confrontative style is an important...
  6. Rambutan

    Are conspiracy theorists wrong about almost everything?

    I'm definitely not missing the desire for understanding, it's what brings me to Skepiko in fact. I am extremely skeptical of people who seem to think they "know how the world works", however...as others have pointed out in this thread, such self-certitude is apparently the hallmark of a...
  7. Rambutan

    Are conspiracy theorists wrong about almost everything?

    I don't disagree, I'd just add that we're ALL idiots at some point in our lives, in some contexts. I'd even posit that being overly confident could confer an advantage in the learning process (beginners mind). Ideally you're not putting others at risk or impinging on other's civil liberties in...
  8. Rambutan

    Are conspiracy theorists wrong about almost everything?

    Ah, well that an astute observation and probably one reason for my general aversion to conspiracy theories. The more important reason however is that I haven't found the credible in my (admittedly limited) explorations. I'm fully willing to accept whatever brute facts are on offer, I just don't...
  9. Rambutan

    Are conspiracy theorists wrong about almost everything?

    Yeah, I wasn't very clear in my post but I was more referring to the idea that there is a large scale and deliberate offensive perpetrated by the scientific establishment at large to suppress non-materialist-conforming science (e.g. psi research, idealist metaphysics, etc). When it comes to...
  10. Rambutan

    Are conspiracy theorists wrong about almost everything?

    That's a great point, strong opinions held lightly is probably a healthy approach here. The world is indeed a crazy place, with strong realism a proven fantasy, we could all be "right" I suppose
  11. Rambutan

    Are conspiracy theorists wrong about almost everything?

    Totally agree, viewed through a particular lens organically emergent behavior can appear incredibly deliberate. I think the "physicalist agenda of the scientific elite" theory is another example. That there is some organized cabal or massive secret society working to maintain the status quo is...
  12. Rambutan

    Are conspiracy theorists wrong about almost everything?

    I think this is absolutely right, we certainly can point to obvious delusion on both sides (e.g. moon landing hoax, mk-ultra deniers). My point is that, all things being equal, because the cost of buying into conspiracy theories is so high, we should be heavily biased towards the null...
  13. Rambutan

    Are conspiracy theorists wrong about almost everything?

    Yeah I'm only "concerned" in sense that I'm not happy when a favorite character is killed off from a series I'm watching on netflix. At worst I'll stop watching (but I probably won't). So yeah, this is mostly me whining but I am legitimately curious to know if I'm truly in the minority here. I...
  14. Rambutan

    Are conspiracy theorists wrong about almost everything?

    If by this you mean that some people have tried to control the narrative to satisfy a particular agenda or just profit in general, I'm completely on board. I just think it's a big leap from there to saying that covid-19 was created and unleashed upon society with these nefarious goals in mind
  15. Rambutan

    Are conspiracy theorists wrong about almost everything?

    I think the main drawback to the conspiratorial mindset is the cynicism and distrust it tends to engender in the individual and in society as a whole, leading in part to the extreme polarization we're experiencing now. I would think anxiety and depression could be another side-effect of such a...
  16. Rambutan

    Are conspiracy theorists wrong about almost everything?

    Long time listener and occasional forum lurker here. Feeling the need to share my personal concerns about the direction that this podcast and forum seems to have been moving for the past few years now, not only because I love the show but also because I’m open to the idea that I’m missing out...
  17. Rambutan

    Mod+ 269. DR. MICHAEL SHERMER, SKEPTICAL SCIENCE REPORTING

    Well said and thank you! This actually me proud to be a computer programmer :) This idea reminds me of Rupert Sheldrake's assertion that, contrary to popular belief, the form (informational content) of a thing has no relation to the concept of universally increasing entropy described by the 2nd...
  18. Rambutan

    Mod+ 247. ROY DAVIES EXPOSES CHARLES DARWIN’S PLAGIARISM

    It would be interesting to hear Sheldrake's take on it. He's made no secret of his admiration for Darwin, both of his life and his work. My guess is that he, like a lot of people, will have a hard time accepting that Darwin may have been a plagiarist, just like many people have a hard time...
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