There
are some lines out there that some people just can’t seem to cross. Not
only that, they can be lines that some refuse to even look beyond. I
encounter those lines on an almost daily basis, though 99 percent of
them take the form of stupid facebook posts. Most of them I let go by,
rarely offering a challenge. This has become even more true lately. I
just don’t have the fucking energy when it comes to most things anymore.
There are a few subjects I still won’t hesitate to speak up about,
(GMOs and vaccines of course), but at what point do you throw in the
towel? I often encounter a ridiculous amount of push-back on the most
inane subjects, (lemon water anyone?). This happened yesterday for
example while helping my in-laws move.
Okay, the push-back wasn’t ridiculous in this case, but it makes for an interesting example. While walking to my wife’s stepfather’s car, a buddy of mine commented on the key-fob. He asked me if I had heard of the trick where you can place the fob next to your head and it increases the signal range. I replied that I had heard it, and that it was a myth. He said it wasn’t a myth. He had watched the show Top Gear where they proved the myth was true! I pointed out that it was a tv show, and that Top Gear has been accused of fudging some information in the past. He completely conceded that point, though clearly he refused to believe the key-fob head trick didn’t actually work.
The reason I claimed this trick to be false was because of an experiment conducted on The Skeptic’s Guide. I admit that this podcast can play a bit of a sacred cowery role for me, (I like to make up words), but when your source debunks myths and rumors as part of their job you tend be defaulting to the more honest side of the argument. I wasn’t citing “Bob’s Blog of Bitches and Beer” as the source for my information, (though I definitely want to visit that totally made-up site now). I was citing a source that conducted an experiment on an audio-only podcast. They’re not in it to make things flashy and fun. They do not create a weekly podcast to sell shit. They publish a weekly audio-only internet show to promote science, skepticism, and critical thinking. Forgive me if I take their word over the tv show who likes to drive fast cars. Evan Bernstein was the man who conducted the experiment, and he found that holding the key-fob up to your head was no more successful at unlocking the car from various distances than holding the key-fob high in the air. He conducted the experiment from multiple distances and heights, including from atop a ladder. His conclusion was that it was the height which determined the performance of the fob, not some weird amplification/reflecting of the signal through your skull or the water in your head. My friend wasn’t having it. He claimed this trick worked personally for him and that he “believed it.” Now he may have said that jokingly. He may have fully recognized he was drawing a line in the sand, but I knew he still believed it genuinely. Perhaps the seed of doubt I threw into the mix may germinate at some point. Who knows. But this situation among others really makes me wonder why people will take such a strong stance on things that mean nothing.
I was listening to an episode of Penn’s Sunday School earlier where he was interviewing James Randi. James Randi, (or the amazing Randi as he’s also known), has dedicated his life to spreading truth. On Penn’s show, both Randi and Penn were recalling a project they worked on several years ago with several people, one of whom was Andy Warhol. Penn recounted an extremely civilized argument between Randi and Warhol about Warhol’s use of healing crystals. Andy Warhol was sick at the time and kept no secrets about feeling poorly. In Penn’s story, Randi pleaded with Warhol to seek genuine medical treatment. He tried to tell Warhol how crystals would not heal or protect him. He said that even if Andy Warhol didn’t want to stop believing in magic crystals that he should at least seek proper medical attention in addition to whatever crystal therapy he was employing. Inevitably Warhol shut down as many people do when their beliefs are challenged. I guess it’s hard to admit when your sacred cow has a prion disease. He was dead a few weeks later.
I suppose the biggest question in my head is the same question many people who believe in this shit ask. What’s the harm? What’s so harmful about people believing in ghosts or psychics and healing crystals. The answer is obvious to me now, though it wasn’t always. Ask Andy Warhol or Steve Jobs what the harm is in believing in some kooky naturalistic/holistic therapy. Oh wait, you can’t because they’re dead. Who knows exactly about Warhol, (someone probably does), but it is pretty well known that Steve Jobs would probably still be alive if he chose proper medical treatment early on. When I ask what the harm is, I’m asking what is the harm in keeping your mind open to the conventional. Isn’t that why the conventional treatments are conventional? These things are popular and not “alternative” because they are the most effective. If crystals or gross smoothies or coconut oil where the best treatments, wouldn’t actual doctors prescribe them? Why was seeking proper medical treatment so taboo to Warhol? Why did Steve Jobs not undergo the statistically and highly effective treatment first? I would understand resorting to drinking puke-green smoothies of kale and butt-cheese if modern medicine had failed you. But what was the harm in getting checked out? What was the harm in getting a doctor’s medical opinion and not using that treatment as your first option? Why refuse to believe that your key-fob might not reflecting signals through your fat head? I could make several guesses as to why, but I don’t have time for that. I have to go take my dick-lengthening pill.
TL;DR: I asked a question. Maybe two.
STL;DR: Me. Question. Ask.
IHTASOAN; DR: My penis has never been longer! If I forget the hose-reel I just throw it over my shoulder anymore while I grocery shop. Don’t worry, I have a “Therapy Penis” vest for it. I wouldn’t want some jackass telling me this is a penis-free grocery store, playground, or restaurant. He helps me with my PTSD motherfucker!
Okay, the push-back wasn’t ridiculous in this case, but it makes for an interesting example. While walking to my wife’s stepfather’s car, a buddy of mine commented on the key-fob. He asked me if I had heard of the trick where you can place the fob next to your head and it increases the signal range. I replied that I had heard it, and that it was a myth. He said it wasn’t a myth. He had watched the show Top Gear where they proved the myth was true! I pointed out that it was a tv show, and that Top Gear has been accused of fudging some information in the past. He completely conceded that point, though clearly he refused to believe the key-fob head trick didn’t actually work.
The reason I claimed this trick to be false was because of an experiment conducted on The Skeptic’s Guide. I admit that this podcast can play a bit of a sacred cowery role for me, (I like to make up words), but when your source debunks myths and rumors as part of their job you tend be defaulting to the more honest side of the argument. I wasn’t citing “Bob’s Blog of Bitches and Beer” as the source for my information, (though I definitely want to visit that totally made-up site now). I was citing a source that conducted an experiment on an audio-only podcast. They’re not in it to make things flashy and fun. They do not create a weekly podcast to sell shit. They publish a weekly audio-only internet show to promote science, skepticism, and critical thinking. Forgive me if I take their word over the tv show who likes to drive fast cars. Evan Bernstein was the man who conducted the experiment, and he found that holding the key-fob up to your head was no more successful at unlocking the car from various distances than holding the key-fob high in the air. He conducted the experiment from multiple distances and heights, including from atop a ladder. His conclusion was that it was the height which determined the performance of the fob, not some weird amplification/reflecting of the signal through your skull or the water in your head. My friend wasn’t having it. He claimed this trick worked personally for him and that he “believed it.” Now he may have said that jokingly. He may have fully recognized he was drawing a line in the sand, but I knew he still believed it genuinely. Perhaps the seed of doubt I threw into the mix may germinate at some point. Who knows. But this situation among others really makes me wonder why people will take such a strong stance on things that mean nothing.
I was listening to an episode of Penn’s Sunday School earlier where he was interviewing James Randi. James Randi, (or the amazing Randi as he’s also known), has dedicated his life to spreading truth. On Penn’s show, both Randi and Penn were recalling a project they worked on several years ago with several people, one of whom was Andy Warhol. Penn recounted an extremely civilized argument between Randi and Warhol about Warhol’s use of healing crystals. Andy Warhol was sick at the time and kept no secrets about feeling poorly. In Penn’s story, Randi pleaded with Warhol to seek genuine medical treatment. He tried to tell Warhol how crystals would not heal or protect him. He said that even if Andy Warhol didn’t want to stop believing in magic crystals that he should at least seek proper medical attention in addition to whatever crystal therapy he was employing. Inevitably Warhol shut down as many people do when their beliefs are challenged. I guess it’s hard to admit when your sacred cow has a prion disease. He was dead a few weeks later.
I suppose the biggest question in my head is the same question many people who believe in this shit ask. What’s the harm? What’s so harmful about people believing in ghosts or psychics and healing crystals. The answer is obvious to me now, though it wasn’t always. Ask Andy Warhol or Steve Jobs what the harm is in believing in some kooky naturalistic/holistic therapy. Oh wait, you can’t because they’re dead. Who knows exactly about Warhol, (someone probably does), but it is pretty well known that Steve Jobs would probably still be alive if he chose proper medical treatment early on. When I ask what the harm is, I’m asking what is the harm in keeping your mind open to the conventional. Isn’t that why the conventional treatments are conventional? These things are popular and not “alternative” because they are the most effective. If crystals or gross smoothies or coconut oil where the best treatments, wouldn’t actual doctors prescribe them? Why was seeking proper medical treatment so taboo to Warhol? Why did Steve Jobs not undergo the statistically and highly effective treatment first? I would understand resorting to drinking puke-green smoothies of kale and butt-cheese if modern medicine had failed you. But what was the harm in getting checked out? What was the harm in getting a doctor’s medical opinion and not using that treatment as your first option? Why refuse to believe that your key-fob might not reflecting signals through your fat head? I could make several guesses as to why, but I don’t have time for that. I have to go take my dick-lengthening pill.
TL;DR: I asked a question. Maybe two.
STL;DR: Me. Question. Ask.
IHTASOAN; DR: My penis has never been longer! If I forget the hose-reel I just throw it over my shoulder anymore while I grocery shop. Don’t worry, I have a “Therapy Penis” vest for it. I wouldn’t want some jackass telling me this is a penis-free grocery store, playground, or restaurant. He helps me with my PTSD motherfucker!
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