Reply #22: Why Smart People Believe Weird Things

[Ian David]

If a bunch of suspicious people who distrust the government and mostly support one another tell you that you're being stupid, then it would be a VERY good idea to more critically examine your "facts."

We are your friends. If we tell you you're being a kook, it is out of tough-love. Please try to trust us at least a little.



In addition to "The Demon Haunted World," by Carl Sagan, people should also read "Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other Confusions of Our Time," by Dr. Michael Shermer (with a foreward by Dr. Stephen J. Gould.).

It includes a chapter called, "Why Smart People Believe Weird Things (Chapter 18, p. 279) only in the 2nd edition published in 2002.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805070893/ref=sib_rdr_dp/103-3131873-5009409


I should give people the benefit of the doubt. Just because someone believes stupid things does not mean they are stupid. It often just means they are mis-informed.

Please, get informed.

These times are too complex and dangerous to be running around with a brain filled by other people's nonsense.