Wow. When I’m King of the World and Wear a Shiny Hat, I’m going to have this article sent to everyone on the planet on an annual basis.
Reality is not an opinion poll, and if an idea, claim, or assertion goes against the commonly accepted wisdom, it should not be dimissed out of hand but instead examined more closely. It is possible that the polls, surveys, studies, and research are wrong (or that I have gravely misinterpreted the data) [….] If so, then the truth will come from close, skeptical examination all the evidence—- not a summary dismissal.
Unfortunately, few people take the time to closely examine their beliefs, instead relying on knee-jerk acceptance or rejection based largely on how well the new information fits their pre-existing beliefs. It’s not enough to simply say, “I don’t believe that,” a skeptic should be able to say why he or she doesn’t believe a claim. Otherwise, it’s not a debate about evidence, it’s an argument about beliefs.
Amen.
(via Les)