I recently had a rare chance to see what happens when a claimed paranormal phenomenon is amply demonstrated to be normal after all. It happened on a 'believer' forum I visit. What made it particularly difficult for those on the forum was that the evidence of 'natural causes' came, not from a skeptic, but one of their own! I was fascinated to see if this person would be criticised, ridiculed and dismissed in the way that skeptical members had been on this forum.
At first there was total silence from those who had promoted the discredited paranormal theory. Then, unverifiable evidence from a third party was quoted in support of the paranormal interpretation. No ridicule so far though. Perhaps they hope to bring the 'rebel' back into the fold. I will continue to watch, fascinated, waiting to see what will happen next.
linkies?
It would allow them to identify me (yes, it's entirely possible to trace a link back - I know, I do it myself!) and I don't need the hassle, sorry! I will update here if anything exciting happens, though.
Very true
The problem is they get it into their mind that they are talking to a skeptic and this infleunces their interaction with that person. Their reasoning is based on who presents what, not on the what.
This can be seen time and time again in the interactions I, and others, tried to have with that pathetic group based in Cannock.
I know someone who went to that forum and posted a link to a website on survival of bodily death - that thread - despite the link being to a woo site....was not greatly commented on. What my friend was trying to assess was just how well read that woo-group was in relation to the woo that is out there.
As predicted, regulars on that woo forum had not read the website and knew nothing of the debates (ones that had been around for decades). In other words the scientists and skeptics are better read on woo than woo's are.
However, a few weeks later one of the woo moderators (who commented on the link in the original thread) suddenly pretended to re-discover the linked site and claimed to have found it themselves. Why? Well, my hunch is that because they knew a skeptic had provided a link, and that the link would be of a particular type, so they never checked it out. When they finally did check it out (weeks later) they saw it supported all there woo-woo and loved it and started raving about it.
Did they thank the skeptic? Did they acknowledge the type of debate that was being fostered? No - they had long since banned her....
Last edited by Dr B; 19th September 2007 at 12:14 PM.
I'm sure it's just a coincidence but the forum seems to be down ...
This is an example of group mentality. It's the old 'in-group' vs 'out-group' dichotomy that often exists on forums as well as in life.
It is interesting when one of the in-group behaves in a way that is inconsistent with the consensus opinion though. Do the others accept it as fact or do they wriggle around with the situation so as to reduce the conflict? Cognitive dissonance.
I must say that when I post on other forums, which is quite rare these days, I do notice that whenever there's a conflict of opinion, I find that people argue against what they see me as representing (i.e. their stereotypical opponent) rather than what I'm actually saying.
I think this stems from our propensity to think in stereotypes as we like to group people and once we've done this, we interpret what they say as being more in line with with what we expect them to say rather than what they are actually saying.
Nice to see someone rocking the boat though.
You must let us know how it resolves.
.
I experienced it recently on a site of 'love and peace'.
From initally being attacked for hurting people's feelings by offering a rational explanation, it quickly deteriorated into telling me that I was evil, other forumites should feel sorry for me, that I was in a dark place, and that I was past saving.
I was being criticised for being a skeptic rather than the opinion.
Also, rather poorly for a psychic forum, they thought I was female
The forum is still down. But I'm really sure it's just a coicidence ...
Shame, I had recently started to post there againThe forum is still down
The forum is back but everything is quiet!
Which forum?? The suspense is driving me mad.
As some of you know I’m floating back and forth between here and there. Not sure if it’s the one you referred to, MRT.
Farside, it was me who thought you were female. But I have never claimed to be psychic.
I have had stuff going on in my life and I’m always looking for answers, I have frequented many forums in search of those answers. This latest one has allowed me to exorcise a few demons by relating experiences I have had. I have also tried to open a few discussions of a more rational type explanation.
I have and am being ignored by some members, accused of talking down to another, and have received a couple of PMs asking me what I think I’m playing at.
Most of them now know that I am on both forums. And they only need to read my posts on both to see that I am in search of some real answers to what I have personally experienced. I have been very honest on both forums, if a little naive at times.
You guys are good at reading between the lines. Right? Psychics can read that as being good at ’reading people’ instead of between the lines. What kind of impression am I giving? Do I have psychic abilities? Am I deluding myself (think I asked that one before), or am I a simple nut job?
I wouldn't like to give an opinion on you Zaira but I agree forums can be difficult. Without the feedback provided by body language, tone of voice etc. it can be difficult to know how postings are being received. Hostility can easily break out from an entirely innocent misplaced or ill-judged word.
Regarding my 'rebel believer', the rebellion is being politely smothered. False comparisons are being used to 'explain away' (don't people accuse skeptics of 'explaining away' rather than 'explaining'?) clear evidence showing that an alleged paranormal phenomenon to be entirely natural. The rebel will no doubt go back to be a good believer and that will be the end of it. So now I know what happens when a believer rebels!
Apologies if you have already worked it out, but I think it is "The Psychic Barber".Originally Posted by Melanie
WWW.thepsychicbarber.co.uk
It is where you can find quotes like this..
I don't want to hear that death is the end and I don't want to hear that Colin Fry is a cold reader or worse. Do you have an antidote to this poison for me?
Last edited by bindeweede; 23rd September 2007 at 05:39 PM.
MRT,
Thank you. I appreciate your frankness once again.
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