19 replies to this topic

[MysticStrummer]

I wonder if there's a book about the psychology of sceptics who hang around paranormal forums pretending to disprove the paranormal.

There have been many scientifically unsubstantiated beliefs throughout history that were eventually proven correct. All any "believer" has to bring up is the subject of parallel universes and how they may interface with ours. It's a scientifically valid subject, though thus far unproven, and it could explain a great many things that are currently labelled paranormal.

The book may be a very interesting read if it's about people who believe in things that are proven not to exist, but the vast majority of the paranormal doesn't fall into that category at all.

[Sakari]

MysticStrummer, on 21 November 2012 - 10:13 PM, said:

I wonder if there's a book about the psychology of sceptics who hang around paranormal forums pretending to disprove the paranormal.

Any reason for that comment?

Was it productive to the topic?

What was the intent of that comment?

Just curious.....I hate to assume.


First, some people get upset when others do not agree, or believe their " belief " or claim.....

Now, we have people upset because there are books written and published on it?

I do not know of anyone who hangs around here to disprove the paranormal...I know quite a few that want answers and facts to back up claims.

Or should I say want " proof " of said claims when presented.

I believe you have had it explained to you by numerous people why " skeptics " are in discussions here, if you can not understand or respect it, maybe you are in the wrong place.

As I told another, I posted a link for a book for " those interested " in the Philosophy and Psychology section. Since the book is on Psychology, I thought it was the appropriate place, and would not hurt anyone's feelings.

If you would like to discuss any issues you have with me, or any other " skeptics " please feel free to PM me, so others will not have to see the wasted replies.





Edit to add :

No one has the responsibility to disprove anything, and no one tries ( except one certain topic ).....It is a claimants responsibility to prove their claim is true and factual.

I would think you would know this by now.

Edited by Sakari, 22 November 2012 - 04:38 AM.

[Beany]

Sakari, on 22 November 2012 - 04:20 AM, said:

Any reason for that comment?

Was it productive to the topic?

What was the intent of that comment?

Just curious.....I hate to assume.


First, some people get upset when others do not agree, or believe their " belief " or claim.....

Now, we have people upset because there are books written and published on it?

I do not know of anyone who hangs around here to disprove the paranormal...I know quite a few that want answers and facts to back up claims.

Or should I say want " proof " of said claims when presented.

I believe you have had it explained to you by numerous people why " skeptics " are in discussions here, if you can not understand or respect it, maybe you are in the wrong place.

As I told another, I posted a link for a book for " those interested " in the Philosophy and Psychology section. Since the book is on Psychology, I thought it was the appropriate place, and would not hurt anyone's feelings.

If you would like to discuss any issues you have with me, or any other " skeptics " please feel free to PM me, so others will not have to see the wasted replies.





Edit to add :

No one has the responsibility to disprove anything, and no one tries ( except one certain topic ).....It is a claimants responsibility to prove their claim is true and factual.

I would think you would know this by now.

Well, no, it's not a claimant's responsibility to prove their claim is true and factual unless there's a rule I'm not aware of. Certainly there are those who demand or request proof, that no one is obligated to provide it. And proof would be very difficult to provide, since many of the post I've read have been written after the fact, in some cases, decades after the account. And then who determines the validity of any proof that someone may choose to provide? I certainly have experienced the "paranormal" enough times to be convinced it occurs, although I'm not sure it's truly paranormal, but instead may be a natural phenomena that currently has no explanation. Because I am at heart a skeptic, (I know, hard to believe, huh?) I always read these posts with at least a couple of grains of salt. I believe what I experience to be true because of first hand experience, but I can only speak for myself, and can't judge the validity of claims made by total strangers. I don't believe in demons or jinns or ETs because I've never encountered any. On the other hand, some of my claims sounds ridiculous to some, and I have encountered some odd things, so I'm not going to fall into the trap of thinking that if I haven't experienced it myself then it must not be true, but I have come very close to doing just that. It seems to me each of us is in the word in our own unique way, and even though some of our experiences are unique to ourselves, we all still have much more commonality than differences.

I don't think paranormal experiences are a big deal, I don't think someone who experiences them is better or special or more spiritual in any way than anyone else. Paranormal experiences kind of like clowns at the circus, sometimes fun and sometimes they make you laugh, but there's a lot going on under the big top that deserves more attention.

[Sakari]

So, has anyone read, or heard of this book. I am sure I will get it, just wanting some feedback first.

[Beany]

I think everyone has something to add to the discussion, both believers and skeptics. I don't mean to turn this into a debate, there's been enough of that done. The paranormal has a lot of aspects to it, and I'm not sure that the whole topic can be dismissed, or that what suffices as an explanation for one phenomena serves as an explanation for all aspects. Anyhoo, it's just one subject of many that interests me, and it's not the most important. I do like to talk to people who have had experiences similar to mine because other people's understanding or explanation of the events may be pertinent to mine. But I'm not here to convince anyone that my perspective is the only valid one, nor to defend the recounting of my experiences, nor have a debate.