Greatest Skeptical Victory/Loss of 2006

[Ryan O'Dine]

If someone put a psychically bent, pyramid sharpened, red string kabbalah cursed steak knife to my jugular and forced me to pick the greatest single victory for skepticism in ’06, I guess I’d say it was the Dover trial, though the victory was largely symbolic. It was, after all, covered widely, it spoke to a real threat, and the verdict was devastating.

For the greatest loss, I’m thinking the cartoon riots. One suspects there may be people who have inoculated themselves against reason.

Overall, I’d have to place ’06 in the loss column. There’ve been positive trends -- the neocon ideologues routed in the U.S., and the role of religion in society being questioned here and there. But the Dems may end up just as irrational as the neocons, and the books and conferences may have few long-term effects.

I guess I sound pretty pessimistic, but I’m wondering where I stand in the spectrum of Forum opinion.

*wanders to the kitchen to pour himself a half-empty glass of water*

[Ersby]

Victory: have to agree on the Dover trial. And watching the 9/11 deniers go from super-confident masters of their domain to rapidly retreating in-fighters was also a highlight.

Loss: Deal Or No Deal and it's vapid numerology. You don't get that nonsense in the Italian version!

[Beleth]

The Dover decision was passed down in 2005, though.

2006 is tough to call. The 9/11 conspiracy theorists have certainly come to public attention, and that recent conference in Iran denying the Holocaust made the news too. These were both huge blows to skepticism.

On the other hand, the American voters decided that they were tired of whatever the President/Congress combination was handing them, and www.stopsylviabrowne.com opened its e-doors... and those are both good things.

On the paranormal side of things, skepticism gained a little.
On the religious side of things... well, that's always going to be a quixotic fight.
On the conspiracy side of things, skepticism lost a lot.

I have to chalk this year up in the "slight loss" column.

[Crazycowbob]

I joined the ranks of skeptics this year, that pushes it up into a win, doesn't it? :D

[CynicalSkeptic]

2006 is tough to call. The 9/11 conspiracy theorists have certainly come to public attention, and that recent conference in Iran denying the Holocaust made the news too. These were both huge blows to skepticism.
For the greatest loss, I’m thinking the cartoon riots.

Maybe I'm looking at things optimistically, but I see these events as positives since those involved are largely regarded as fringe groups.

Of course they do nothing to increase the skepticism of the average person, who will dismiss fringe woo, but blindly accept their own mystical/magical beliefs, so maybe it's just neutral...

[Ryan O'Dine]

The Dover decision was passed down in 2005, though.


D’oh! Seems like only yesterday.

Anyway, I realize this thread is a dud (thanks for those daring few who participated), but I did want to make one more observation that occurred last night.

It seems to me that the most destruction which befell the irrational last year was caused less by active skepticism, and more by the irrational shooting their own selves in the foot. As evidence I’d cite: Hovind and his tax trial; Mark Foley; Ted Haggard; The Pope vs. the Muslims; and the recent U.S. church schisms.

There were positive skeptical contributions: the Iraq Study Group, and An Inconvenient Truth to name a few.

Still, I'm wondering if maybe the greatest threat the Woo World faces is... the Woo World.

[brettDbass]

One thing I saw the other day - every way I turned in Waterstones the book shop I was confronted by row upon row of The God Delusion in glorious hardback.
Well, at least it made my christmas shopping more ironic anyway, and therefore more amusing.

[desertyeti]

I'm going with the recent backlash against religion as an unassailable belief that must be honored and catered to. Even t.v. shows like 'Boston Legal' have tackled this subject quite thoughtfully. Religions are based on ignorance, intolerance of others, and pure ego. Now, everyone's entitled to have one, but I certainly have the right to make fun of whatever aspect of it I want (like beings rising from the dead, or making creatures out of clay, or aline warlords invading Earth millions of years ago). Just 'coz millions or billions of people believe it doesn't make it so.

[Big Les]

I think that Hardfire debate with Gravy was pretty top notch; if not that then an overall series of victories that seem to have the twoofers very much on the back foot.

[grayman]

In the victory column I'd like to add two items, one of them personal:

1. The opening of the www.stopsylviabrowne.com site.

2. I officially joined JREF.

[Slimething]

On the plus side, don't forget Haggard and Hovind, both out of business.

Also, I moved from PA to AZ before the election but still savored Santorum going down in flames.

[Myriad]

Also, I moved from PA to AZ before the election but still savored Santorum going down in flames.

Not to worry, Slimething. I move from MA to PA and was honored to cast the vote you would have cast.

Respectfully,
Myriad

[oglommi]

I'd say 2006 was a loss for skeptics. Religion is on the rise. TV-shows about psychics and other gibberish is on the rise, including a show on the discovery channel. More and more idiots belive in 911 CT etc etc etc.

[ponderingturtle]

I'd say 2006 was a loss for skeptics. Religion is on the rise. TV-shows about psychics and other gibberish is on the rise, including a show on the discovery channel. More and more idiots belive in 911 CT etc etc etc.

This is something that I think about, is fiction that uses woo ideas something to be resisted or not?

[ottle]

Since I live in the Atlanta area and have friends raising kids in Cobb county, this made me happy:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20061219-1351-teachingevolution.html

The federal judge ruled against them last year but the school district officially 'gave up' this week :)

[a.real.girl]

Maybe we should ask Sylvia Browne...nah, she woudn't get this right either.

What would you call a psychic who reads the past?

[Here_to_learn]

What would you call a psychic who reads the past?On par?

[pjh]

Well in the UK the 'official recognition' of homeopathy is a big step back
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6085242.stm

But on the plus side, Gillian McKeith can no longer sell herbal sex pills so I guess it all evens itself out.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6167064.stm

[Steven Howard]

What would you call a psychic who reads the past?

Tamara Rand.

[The Doc]

Victory: The Mark Roberts (Gravy) vs Jason Bermas/Dylan Avery debate :)