"People fear things that are different"

[realisticphish]

I wanted to respond to someone in the lounge with this, but i decided that I didn't want to flame anyone.

I get so fucking sick of hearing "people fear things that are different" in response to any criticism. I hate mayonaisse, I MUST FEAR IT.

That's the attitude that keeps woo and pseudoscience going. Real discussion and debate is rooted in disagreement, and analysis. The dismissal of dissent as "fear" is just bullshit.


Sorry, rant off

[lizerdbits]

1. Surround yourself with the mayonnaise

Let the mayonnaise become part of you. Then you will not fear it.

Seriously, I think some fear is based on ignorance/stupidity/leaving a comfort zone. Fear of homosexuals because you think they're all going to assault you since they are a bunch of sex fiends. Fear of applying critical thinking to religious beliefs because you don't have that comfort of certainty.

In terms of woo, I think 'people fear things that are different' is just a cop out that means 'I believe something that doesn't make sense, I can't logically defend it, so I'm just going to try to make you feel stupid.' Some people just don't like change, which isn't fear.

[realisticphish]

2. oh, sure

there is that fear aspect to some things, but not to criticism of home schooling (which was the subject here)

but yeah, it still is important to acknowledge that component

[Orrex]

3. I concur

It's analogous to the nonsensical "if you hate a thing, you must actually fear that you secretly are that thing."

Like your example, it's crap, and it's a diversion.