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Skeptical Energy

A common admission from those who claim to have supernatural powers (and something that is illustrated well in Derren Brown’s new show) is that their supernatural abilities dry up whenever there is a skeptic in the room.

This is the thing that stops them getting thoroughly debunked when they meet someone willing to do a scientific test on their “gift” - be it reading minds, talking to the dead, or X-Ray vision - they simply explain their failure in any tests (or refuse to do any such tests at all) by claiming that “skeptical energy” is inhibiting their power.

This is a perfect way of making sure they can continue making extraordinary claims whilst at the same time avoiding any opportunity for doubt.

Or maybe I am being too harsh here - maybe there is some truth in this…

In the (now cancelled) hit US TV show Heroes, many seemingly ordinary citizens have amazing gifts. Some can read minds, others can move objects telepathically. But one person - known as “the Haitian” - has something very similar to the skeptical energy. Whenever he comes near someone with an ability, he drains them of their power. He is a skeptic.

Believe what you will about the supernatural, but I sleep safe at night knowing that if there are people out there who can move objects with their minds or shoot lightning from their fingers, all it takes is a bit of reason and a basic understanding of the scientific method to render them powerless.

 

The BBC programme Virtual Revolution summed up my thoughts on Internet-naysayers (at least this is my interpretation):

Older people have always been afraid of every big change, if the web had been around when they were young it would not be a problem. “Generation web” are growing up not knowing what life was like without the web, just like the last generation couldn’t imagine life before the printing press, or cars.

Big changes mean lots to get used to, and the web is only 20 years young, who knows what the next 20 years will bring. Bring it on!

 

The Democratic process fails for minorities

As I read the reports about Maine, a U.S. state where people have voted to overturn a law legalising same-sex marriage, my blood begins to boil.

Firstly, why on earth do people feel the need to control other people’s lives like this? In what way do same-sex marriages harm “traditional marriage”?

Right now, if I wanted to, I could marry a woman - even one that I had just met today - for money, for social status, strictly for tax purposes, or worse - simply because I had gotten her pregnant. “Traditional” marriage is in no way sacred - 50% of all marriages in America end in divorce.

So why then do people think they should stop gay marriage? How will the fact that a gay couple got married possibly affect the validity or importance of a “traditional” marriage?

The answer is simple: it won’t. This is just about bigotry and ignorance.

My second problem with this is: since when do people vote on civil rights? Should be put slavery up for vote? How about women’s rights? Oh wait, women might have a chance to protect their rights as they make up 50% of the population (so long as they are allowed to vote).

But voting on the civil rights of a minority is wrong. Democracy is 2 wolves and 1 sheep voting on what to have for dinner.

I am glad to be in England, where at least we have civil partnerships available for all gay couples (but not to be called ‘marriage’). But there is still a long way to go in my country, in America, and in the rest of the world before we can truly say that gay people have equal rights.

“If it be admitted that a man possessing absolute power may misuse that power by wronging his adversaries, why should not a majority be liable to the same reproach? Men do not change their characters by uniting with one another; nor does their patience in the presence of obstacles increase with their strength. For my own part, I cannot believe it; the power to do everything, which I should refuse to one of my equals, I will never grant to any number of them.”

Alexis de Tocqueville, “Tyranny of the Majority,” Chapter XV, Book 1, Democracy in America

 

Some people absolutely infuriate me with their stupidity

  • Me: How can you, as a gay person, support these [religious] people who have an anti-gay agenda?
  • Him: Everyone is entitled to their opinion!
  • Me: Yes, certainly. But these people are rallying against gay rights. Human rights. Their beliefs should not affect other people.
  • Him: You should respect other peoples views even if you don’t agree!
  • Me: Actually, no. They can believe what they want—they are entitled to their beliefs. But they should not try to limit others' human rights with their anti-gay agenda.
  • Him: But if others are making a case on one side it’s up to others to counter that argument. Tha'ts democracy! In a good democracy, the right thing will win out, what ever that is.
  • Me: Do you think the majority should be able to vote on the minority’s human rights? Do you think if someone offends you, you have the right to squash it out? Do you realise these are the justifications for slavery, racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.?
  • Him: My opinion is irrelevent, I am just saying that everyone is entitled to have their own! End of!
  • Me: /facepalm. You are failing to understand everything I am saying. It is funny how the religious people who *demand* respect and tolerance of their beliefs are the ones who, historically, are the most intolerant (not just to gays, but to all rational thought and inquiry).
 

On MyHandle

I registered with MyHandle (as mentioned by Stephen Fry) just to reserve the name. I doubt it will really catch on, and actually I hope it doesn’t.

This puts too much control in this one company - a company which I do not know. How are they going to monetize this? What will they do with the information I give them? Website should never ask for your passwords for other services such as email, facebook, etc.

Rather than sit and make groups and lists of who emails which address, it is just easier to give out separate addresses. If my phone number changes (why should it? you can keep your number even when changing providers) I will text my contacts and tell them.

But like I said, if this does catch on - I have registered to reserve my name. I did the same with Twitter, thinking it would not really interest me. Go on, surprise me MyHandle.

about shaun…

Name: Shaun Robinson

Age: 25

Occupation: Web Designer / Developer

Location: Ipswich, United Kingdom

Living with: My partner Andrew, and two kids Elliot and Oliver.

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