The intellectual middle ground is not where you go to find friends.

[Strat]

Believe it or not, this is not a woe is me or "I'm taking off/demand to be unsubscribed" thread, just something on my mind. This isn't directed at anyone, it's no biggy, love you all.

I frequent a few forums, 1 has debunkers and the other is Avalon. I do this because this is the best way to separate the wheat from the chaff, the signal from the noise. It's important to see both sides of the story, the middle ground will be the truth.

What sucks about this is 1 forum thinks I'm delusional and the other thinks I'm close minded.

One thing I'll point out is I'm not a 'debunker.' I find this to be an odd and foolish practice, often a hobby. It is approaching a subject with a confirmation bias, which is ironic, considering this is what they accuse nutjobs of doing. Debunkers already have a rigid belief structure so as soon as something is presented to them, they look at the information through their own kaleidoscope.

I'm a skeptic. I feel weird saying this because I assume everyone considers themselves a skeptic. Everyone says "I take this with a grain of salt but..." etc, nobody says, "I believe everything see and hear so check this out." Make sense? A skeptic doesn't set out to disprove anything, a skeptic just needs some legitimate evidence to work with. Not even proof just...something.

However I feel as though skepticism rarely exists on this forum, often shunned. I believe it would be easy to lie about psychic powers and folks on this forum will eat it up. A guy like me is shunned for questioning any such claims of psychic ability. I feel as though this is detrimental to Avalon.

Believe it or not I do believe in the psychic phenomenon. The difference from me and (what I percieve to be many Avalonians) is I demand something, anything. I won't trust anyone on their word alone. The guy on Pawn Stars said it best, "It's no that I don't trust you, it's that I don't trust anyone."

I grew up with very religious surroundings... I was exposed to the same language and claims being used, just with a twist. So frankly, it's hard to 'play' that bs any longer. I need something. I find myself wanting to believe/agree with folks who make their claims so that I can fit in, or maybe it's that I just don't want to rock the boat. Not sure.

But the thing is I am honest. I can not lie. So if you ask me the truth if I believe someone can do incredible feats then I will tell you honestly. This is what makes the intellectual middle ground brutal: debunkers **** on you for believing something is possible and the other ****s on you for questioning. If I use my intellect I just get **** on. People don't like it if you don't believe them. I don't hold that against anyone, it's normal human behavior so what do you expect, but it does kinda suck.

Surely out there, someone is slapping their desk and saying THANK you. There aren't many of us but we're out there.

I know it isn't popular that I don't believe much of what is reported, but there is value in listening to me. If someone like me doesn't believe a large portion of what is reported, but there is something I vouch my reputation on, then you can bet your god damn bottom dollar on it that it's the real deal. Ya know, "Strat doesn't believe anything, but even he says ____ is legit."

[Valerie Villars]

I think that is why it is metaphorically referred to as "The Road Less Traveled". It's not the popular, easy or fun path. In fact, it often sucks until you get the payback of understanding that it really was all worth it. That comes with wisdom.

[Bill Ryan]

I subscribe to Bernie Haisch's definition of a skeptic. (And in this sense, I am one. :) )




Skeptic: One who practices the method of suspended judgment, engages in rational and dispassionate reasoning as exemplified by the scientific method, shows willingness to consider alternative explanations without prejudice based on prior beliefs, and who seeks out evidence and carefully scrutinizes its validity.

[Franny]

Strat, it has never once occurred to me that your approach to various forum subjects to be anything but an attempt to find the truth and to be as balanced as possible. :)

I do like Bernie Haisch's definition of a skeptic; a good model to follow.

[ulli]

I’d say you are a seeker, Strat, wondering and pondering like that.

That search is complete when an inspiration or light bulb moment enters with such power that one simply has to jump into action, and suspend all further thought, for the time being. Action as a result of pure vision and knowing.

And the best way to invite such inspiration is to walk the middle path.

This has a drawback, however, as there you are vulnerable and can get hit from both sides.
Because those who can’t figure you out will try and take aim at you.
Maybe that’s why finding like-minded friends is so important, as that reduces the vulnerability.

[Mike]

hi Strat, i think most people here view you as being discerning and thoughtful. this feeling of close-mindedness you refer to may be sort of a projected fear kind of thing.

requiring evidence for things isn't cynical or skeptical - it's at the very heart of sanity.

using your example there about psychics: i desperately want to believe in them, but i haven't been given one single reason to do so. all my experiences have been pretty pitiful. so i get that totally.

so no, you're definitely not alone dude.