What's the biggest change you want to see in this category?

Question

I want the people who don't believe and keep putting others down to leave. I just don't want to see others keep getting hurt and all the negative comments going back and forth between people ... it's just upsetting to watch. What's the biggest change you want to see?

Answer 1

It may be upsetting to watch, but a lot of reality (eg murders and rapes, the Palestinian situation, cancer and heart disease, conflict over religion, etc) is upsetting, and such problems will not be solved by living in a fantasy world.

How do we decide if things are true or not?  Not by believing everything anyone says, because thereby leads the path to complete folly, but by looking at evidence.  That's all science is, really - just examining the evidence.

If you don' t want to look at evidence, that's your choice, of course, but please don't go hurting other people based on "beliefs" which are not based on evidence of some sort.

I'm sure you're a really nice person yourself, but unfounded beliefs can lead to enormous suffering (witness almost all religious conflicts, including many happening as we speak).

Answer 2

peace

Answer 3

If something is personally true to YOU, what do you care what others say?

Maybe science hasn't advanced enough to be able to devise a way to properly analyze certain phenomenon, whether it be seemingly physical or a function of the human brain.

Better still, maybe scientists should spend a night in a possessed house, instead of plumbers.

Answer 4

Hello Abby-

There have already been some good (and a few rude) comments made so I won't repeat them, but I want to add a little emphasis to the legitimate points.

First, this category has (for some reason) been put in the Science & Math section.  So, logically, people who are science / logic oriented are going to end up in here.  That's not a bad thing.  Paranormal stuff is really (really!) weak in terms of "hard facts" and being reminded of that now and again is probably worth while.  If your after "truth", you have to remain grounded in reality.   No reason to be rude about it though, I'll grant you (and I'm NOT talking just about science people!)

Second, the issue of whether or not "to believe" is a big issue.  If there is anything paranormal going on out there that has some validity, shouldn't its merits be debated?  Choosing something in which to genuinely BELIEVE is serious stuff.  The older you get, the more serious it becomes.  Therefore, requiring people to back up their veiws forces a close examination of everything from the "evidence" (and how it was obtained) to the 'interpretation" of the evidence.  Scientists (and analytic thinkers) are serious hard-liners on this front.  Again, though, I see no reason for name-calling and nasty comments from either side of any debate.

So, what would I like to see?  Less antagonism and more maturity in the manner of expressing ideas.  Look, I'm scientist (for real) and I like looking in on this category--it's fun!  Since I am scientist, I'm required to "keep an open mind"--and I do...always.  But that doesn't mean that when I can see through something (a paranormal claim) that's clearly nonsense, I have to keep my opinions to myself.  I do, however, always try to be polite, thoughtful, and helpful whenever I can.

Does that sound okay?

Answer 5

i think it needs to be moved to maybe then people would ask more questions without feeling like they are being attacked. i personally want to believe in the paranormal and dont give a hoot what anyone says about it .

Answer 6

i know exactly what you mean, tr just wishes he had some experience in the spirit world,  he has no idea what he is talking about, he should be sitting in a classroom doing his f.u.c.k.i.n. maths, and leave the paranormal to people who understand outside the square....anyone can learn from text books...

Answer 7

I would like to see more open minded people and less rude people. Maybe more questions would be nice... just more people who are truly interested and not on to get points and/or put people who truly believe in the paranormal down.

Answer 8

Only one hurtful and negative comment.Notice which side of the fence it comes from.sorry if being called silly offends you.When one of my kids gets scared or has a nightmare.I tell them it's silly to believe in boogeymen or ghosts.I'm virtually positive I'm telling the truth.If someone says differently.I would ask for some evidence.All I've ever heard are anecdotes.Sorry to say that's not near good enough.The reliability of an eyewitness is questionable at best.The paranormal is silly, sometimes harmful,but silly.

Answer 9

Here, here!

I've just asked a question in regards to them. Let's see how this goes...

Answer 10

All of your sentiments are more appropriately acknowledged in the humanities.  Science is concerned with facts, evidence, and what is real.  

  I would like to see this category removed from the science and mathematics section completely.  Leaving it here gives the false impression that there is anything scientific about any of these topics being discussed.  Not only are they non-scientific, but they are in all likelihood completely non-existent.

  Yes, put it where people's sensitivities are more important than the truth.

  And Tunsa, skeptics do consider the evidence.  They also  consider the physical possibilities.  The evidence for bigfoot and aliens is every bit as good as the evidence for PK, clairvoyance, ESP, etc.  In fact, aliens and bigfoot are both far more likely than these psi topics because neither violates physical laws like virtually every subject of parapsychology does.  As for putting it with psychology, there are almost no psychologists who would want it there, either.

   The people with the half-truths and who never seem to rely on evidence are the believers--invariably!  What's the evidence for PK?  Millions of trials over hundreds of tests for over 50 years and the only tiny statistical significance they can get is when they leave out over half of the tests.  That's called meta-analysis.  So who doesn't pay attention to the evidence?

Answer 11

I would like to see this category moved as well. I feel that the religion and spirituality section should be separated, as they do not intermesh well with eachother and have this put under "spirituality"...I have often looked for a way to contact someone about changing this, hoping I'm not alone in my requests. Usually, if many people ask, the changes are made more quickly.

As it stands now, I have no problem with scientists telling their two cents. I don't have to accept their beliefs as my own, and neither do they have to accept mine. I realize everyone has their own reality and I respect that.

Answer 12

It seems to be more and more of a dream lately, but I would like to see the legitimate answers in this category respected.  Derogatory statements, ridicule, and repeated half truths don't make for a legitimate answer, and, in my opinion, many answers in this category border on violating the spam and abuse policies.

I can respect the skeptic's point of view, but a legitimate skeptic doesn't make assumptions or draw conclusions without considering evidence.  I only think that I've seen one legitimate skeptic on this forum who was willing to consider the facts presented rather than propose their own facts.

There is real science in this field.  Some of the experiments are designed like psychology experiments.  Others are more akin to physics experiments.  This forum being part of the science section helps some people to understand that this field is more than just Big Foot and Aliens.  This category is well placed, though I could also understand placing it with Psychology.

I would just like to see people respect each other and bring new information into the forum rather than repeating the same rap.

Answer 13

It should be removed completely/ Every question has been answered.

You really want a forum of like thinkers. You are not looking for original thinking so it should be on some paranormal forum site.

You could have a nice site with a forum and kick anyone off that offends you. You get to make your own rules.

Go to EZboard and you get a freee forum site already set up and ready to go.

That is best for all I think/.

It is always the same here. Did you ever see a ghost, have you had an experience. it is just boring now.

Answer 14

This being my first visit to this neighborhood - can't say yet. . . your description of the folks who frequent this area reminds me of what I encountered a year ago, in the religion area of Y!A.

Answer 15

Sorry, but this category is presently in the Science and Mathematics category. Because it is, it would be bad form to reply to paranormal questions with anything other than science or mathematically based answers. Makes sense, doesn't it?  It's in the Science category, so answer with science, right?

Moreover, there is no way to "leave" since these paranormal questions show right up in the top-level Science & Mathematics category along with valid science and math questions.

The biggest change I want to see is to move non-scientific religious/faith material like the paranormal outside of the Science & Math category. This will go far in reducing scientific answers which upset people who are closed-minded to rational analysis.

Answer 16

Shorter answers.  Seriously.

Answer 17

There is often a one-sidedness that points to a foolish position. In otherwords there are times when a posting is so rediculous that no one will be on the other side.

However the majority could be wrong and hence the possibility of a supernatural answer. During the Renaisance the majority was often wrong on science, who knows if some of the theories of Star trek are really off or right on.

If you happen to be in a position of being rediculed for a belief, then this section might be your last resort to prove you might be right....

Answer 18

My aunt died of breast cancer a few years ago after going to a homeopath instead of a real doctor.  It would have been easily curable, but she didn't listen to the people living in 'reality' where we ask for evidence that something works before paying for it/ wasting any time on it.  She called us a up a few days before she died to say she wished she had listened to us, but it was too late.

This section is in the science section for some reason.  And those of us who rely on science to learn about the world are not going anywhere.  Because no matter how harmless your unfounded beliefs may seem, you'd be surprised how many people are suffering the consequences.  I'm sorry if your feelings are hurt, but sometimes it's hard to say 'no, you're completely and utterly wrong' in a nice way.

The biggest change I want to see?  I want to see this section moved to the Entertainment catagory, with the Astrology and horoscope section.  Then I'll leave it alone.  But as long as it masquarades as science, I'll be here to ask for evidence.  That's all I want.  Proof.  Is that really so much to ask for?  Apparently, Margie thought so.

Answer 19

this sub-category is all right,and there is a reason of the why

it is under the S&M Category,when they make this choices is not a matter because i said so,it involves other factors,this is not a ramdom choice it is something very well planned,and it is a matter of choice whether you opt to answer or not,in the

rest of the sub-categories from the main,top answerers and other participants as well,they are not making an "issue' of

it,they simply do what they like and consider they are good at,

and that is a form of respect,besides it comes to choices and preferences,and individuals decisions ,as in every day

life.there is nothing wrong with it,so the category does not need a 'biggest change',it is well made,if something might need a change is in the attitude some people towards others

we are humans after all and the fact that they like to ask and answer in this sub-category does not mean at all they lack intelligence or ignorance,and there is no need to disrespect no one.in any way or form...