Strange mix of rationality and woo-wooism

Marquis de Carabas · 24th October 2003, 10:25 AM

From this thread http://www.rr-bb.com/showthread.php?threadid=113709 about seeing weird things in the sky:

Quote:

My guess is it was some kind of new anti-aircraft "flak" as evidenced by the two jets in the distance.

My other guess is that it was demonic activity.

LawnOven · 24th October 2003, 11:07 AM

Well my opinion on the matter is it was either, a man-made device, or... the Loch Ness Monster; or possibly Big Foot. Demons, though... no way, only idiots believe in those.

Nyarlathotep · 24th October 2003, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marquis de Carabas
From this thread http://www.rr-bb.com/showthread.php?threadid=113709 about seeing weird things in the sky:

Looking through that thread was enlightening in a way. I noticed that there was exactly ONE poster who tried to point out that it was probably something mundane. Everyone else seemd to take the idea that it was either alien spacecraft or 'demonic activity' and run with it.

I guess it just shows that once you toss critical thinking out the window in one situation (as I assume most of these people have done with regards to religion) it becomes pretty easy to toss it in other situations too.

Marquis de Carabas · 24th October 2003, 11:20 AM

I find it interesting how some people, having thrown out critical thinking in regard to their own pet woo-woo beliefs, attempt to reinsert critical thinking to shut down opposing woo-woo beliefs.

Nyarlathotep · 24th October 2003, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marquis de Carabas
I find it interesting how some people, having thrown out critical thinking in regard to their own pet woo-woo beliefs, attempt to reinsert critical thinking to shut down opposing woo-woo beliefs.

That's a good point too. I used to know someone who was very religious who was very good at thinking critically about things like crystals, channeling and so on, but when it came to religion his atitude was "I belive, that's all there is to it". I also know someone who is an atheist and can make all kinds of good arguments against the existance of God, but also thinks that crop circles are the work of aliens. So I guess it cuts both ways.

Yahweh · 25th October 2003, 06:43 AM

I've seen that kind of phenomena before...

When asked about crop circles, a person might say "Its most likely some kids playing a joke... or it could be aliens, the circles are just too perfect if you ask me". You think they are holding on a by a thread of rationality... nope, because that'd be a bit too optimistic to expect from most people.[/cynicism]

Quote:

My guess is it was some kind of new anti-aircraft "flak" as evidenced by the two jets in the distance.

My other guess is that it was demonic activity.

Which of the two is the more likely scenario?

24th October 2003, 10:25 AM	#1
Marquis de Carabas Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: vuori Posts: 27,106	Strange mix of rationality and woo-wooism From this thread http://www.rr-bb.com/showthread.php?threadid=113709 about seeing weird things in the sky: Quote: My guess is it was some kind of new anti-aircraft "flak" as evidenced by the two jets in the distance. My other guess is that it was demonic activity.
	__________________ Jesus ... wasn't he the bloke who turned fish into wine and made the lepers multiply? -KateHL Violence is more acceptable than incest. I have been told to keep this in mind.

24th October 2003, 11:07 AM	#2
LawnOven robot Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,306	Well my opinion on the matter is it was either, a man-made device, or... the Loch Ness Monster; or possibly Big Foot. Demons, though... no way, only idiots believe in those.
	__________________ Principia Discordia

24th October 2003, 11:08 AM	#3
Nyarlathotep Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 7,514	Re: Strange mix of rationality and woo-wooism Quote: Originally posted by Marquis de Carabas From this thread http://www.rr-bb.com/showthread.php?threadid=113709 about seeing weird things in the sky: Looking through that thread was enlightening in a way. I noticed that there was exactly ONE poster who tried to point out that it was probably something mundane. Everyone else seemd to take the idea that it was either alien spacecraft or 'demonic activity' and run with it. I guess it just shows that once you toss critical thinking out the window in one situation (as I assume most of these people have done with regards to religion) it becomes pretty easy to toss it in other situations too.
	__________________ Why stay sane in a sick world?

24th October 2003, 11:20 AM	#4
Marquis de Carabas Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: vuori Posts: 27,106	I find it interesting how some people, having thrown out critical thinking in regard to their own pet woo-woo beliefs, attempt to reinsert critical thinking to shut down opposing woo-woo beliefs.
	__________________ Jesus ... wasn't he the bloke who turned fish into wine and made the lepers multiply? -KateHL Violence is more acceptable than incest. I have been told to keep this in mind.

24th October 2003, 11:38 AM	#5
Nyarlathotep Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 7,514	Quote: Originally posted by Marquis de Carabas I find it interesting how some people, having thrown out critical thinking in regard to their own pet woo-woo beliefs, attempt to reinsert critical thinking to shut down opposing woo-woo beliefs. That's a good point too. I used to know someone who was very religious who was very good at thinking critically about things like crystals, channeling and so on, but when it came to religion his atitude was "I belive, that's all there is to it". I also know someone who is an atheist and can make all kinds of good arguments against the existance of God, but also thinks that crop circles are the work of aliens. So I guess it cuts both ways.
	__________________ Why stay sane in a sick world?

25th October 2003, 06:43 AM	#6
Yahweh Ayay ashay ayay Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 9,029	I've seen that kind of phenomena before... When asked about crop circles, a person might say "Its most likely some kids playing a joke... or it could be aliens, the circles are just too perfect if you ask me". You think they are holding on a by a thread of rationality... nope, because that'd be a bit too optimistic to expect from most people.[/cynicism] Quote: My guess is it was some kind of new anti-aircraft "flak" as evidenced by the two jets in the distance. My other guess is that it was demonic activity. Which of the two is the more likely scenario?
Yahweh Ayay ashay ayay Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 9,029