Reader Rants: Skept-Artist on Being a Dick

[RoyGBiv]

I think this individual has hit on a bona fide phenomenon.

My new project is offline grassroots skeptical outreach. In my endeavor to save the world with skepticism, I have to remember that sometimes it’s important to not be a huge asshole when talking to people. We’ve all done it. Sometimes not intentionally, but anyone who’s been a skeptic for more than a few weeks is likely to have offended someone with a flippant remark about a “stupid” belief or an outright dismissal.

...

Before I had ever considered myself a Skeptic, I already loved arguing with people. Not necessarily in an aggressive way, but I liked to have honest discussions because it really helped me learn. However, when I discovered skepticism and the skeptical movement a few years ago, my style of argument became what I can only describe as “Rabidly Overzealous” (Redundant, but accurate).

Happily, this phase didn’t last for too long, because I recognized that I was being a huge jerk. Having accurate and interesting information to share with people is one thing. Shouting that information at people with a smug, misplaced sense of satisfaction? Yeah, that’s a horse of a different color. That’s not the kind of person I was before, so there was no reason why that should have changed.

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I’m much happier now just sharing a bit of information if someone wants it, without feeling like I have to stick it in their craw. Does my blood still squirt out of my ears when I hear a bunch of garbage. Oh sure. Can I fly off the handle if the situation calls for it? Yep. But in daily conversation, with someone who might even come to understand a point I have, and change their mind, why shouldn’t I try my best to be, at least, polite?

http://skepchick.org/blog/2010/04/reader-rants-skept-artist-on-being-a-dick/

In my endeavor to save the world from the evils of Republicanism, I have to remember that sometimes it's important not to be a huge asshole when talking to people.