Equal opportunity doubter / skeptic

[Zzyzx]

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I am an Equal opportunity doubter / skeptic -- who doubts and questions what anyone says or claims. I do not take at face value what I am told (particularly about matters I regard as significant or important).

Is it NOT wise to doubt / question what is said by

Politicians
Advertisers and sales people
Internet advisers
“News� reporters
Television personalities
Storytellers


Is there any reason why religion promoters (ancient or modern) should be exempt from having their claims and statements doubted / questioned?

Are scientists exempt? Heck no. Legitimate scientific work is “peer reviewed� and published for anyone interested to challenge or disprove.

I would consider myself very naïve and gullible if I accepted what was said or written about significant or important matters. Some people seem to glorify naivete and gullibility (perhaps those promoting things which they cannot substantiate.

Here are a few places to start investigating what is presented:

www.FactCheck.Org
www.PolitiFact.com
www.OpenSecrets.Org
www.Snopes.com
www.TruthOrFiction.com
www.HoaxSlayer.com

[rikuoamero]

[Replying to post 1 by Zzyzx]

Legitimate scientific work is “peer reviewed� and published for anyone interested to challenge or disprove.

Not so fast there Z. What is peer reviewed is quite often locked up in journals with expensive subscriptions. We're talking thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars a year.

[Kenisaw]

[Replying to post 1 by Zzyzx]

Legitimate scientific work is “peer reviewed� and published for anyone interested to challenge or disprove.

Not so fast there Z. What is peer reviewed is quite often locked up in journals with expensive subscriptions. We're talking thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars a year.

Which you can usually review at your local college or university for free, especially if you live in a large metropolitan area. You could also write them and tell them you don't have the money and see if they will give you a free subscription.

Even if it is in an expensive journal, that does not mean it isn't peer reviewed either. Thee articles are reviewed before they are even published.

Your objection is noted, but I don't think it overrides what Z is saying...