LongeCity - Dealing with Pseudoskeptics, Disinformants, and Fraudulent Debunkers.

After posting my story about finding a 2,800 year old man, I have become barraged by several people who claim to be skeptics; many from this very forum. I believe skeptism is good for any topic, for I too am a skeptic. However the attacking of a discussion without merit under the cloak of a skeptic is not real skeptism but rather pseudoskepticism.

Wikipedia defines the term pseudoskepticism (or pseudo-skepticism) as "denotes thinking that appears to be skeptical but is not. The term is most commonly encountered in the form popularized by Marcello Truzzi, through his Journal of Scientific Exploration, where he defined pseudoskeptics as those who take "the negative rather than an agnostic position but still call themselves 'skeptics'"

These pseudoskeptics reveal themselves by not focusing on discussing the facts but by derailing or disheartening the researcher or claimant; often with quick judgments and name-calling without evidence to back up their counterclaims.

From Wikipedia about pseudoskepticism:

"In science, the burden of proof falls upon the claimant; and the more extraordinary a claim, the heavier is the burden of proof demanded. The true skeptic takes an agnostic position, one that says the claim is not proved rather than disproved. He asserts that the claimant has not borne the burden of proof and that science must continue to build its cognitive map of reality without incorporating the extraordinary claim as a new "fact." Since the true skeptic does not assert a claim, he has no burden to prove anything. He just goes on using the established theories of "conventional science" as usual. But if a critic asserts that there is evidence for disproof, that he has a negative hypothesis --saying, for instance, that a seeming psi result was actually due to an artifact--he is making a claim and therefore also has to bear a burden of proof."

The tendency is to deny, rather than doubt:

. Double standards in the application of criticism

. The making of judgments without full inquiry

. Tendency to discredit, rather than investigate

. Use of ridicule or ad hominem attacks in lieu of arguments

. Pejorative labeling of proponents as 'promoters', 'pseudoscientists' or practitioners of 'pathological science.

. Presenting insufficient evidence or proof

. Assuming criticism requires no burden of proof

. Making unsubstantiated counter-claims

. Counter-claims based on plausibility rather than empirical evidence

. Suggesting that unconvincing evidence is grounds for dismissing it

Keep in mind, the true skeptic is a welcome asset to real research. The pseudoskeptic contributes nothing to research, but instead attempts to stifle the research in progress. Before examining or discussing the topic, the pseudoskeptic decries absurdity with shouts of "where's the proof" and "show me the evidence"; even if there has been evidence already presented. For these disinformants, there is never enough proof or absolute proof; even though they can never offer any proof to back their counterclaims.

I came to the Immortality Institute because I felt it was a good place to discuss the possiblity of finding like minded people who truly to want to discover the secrets to living a longer, healthier lives. I hope there are someone out there that is truly interested in discussing what research I and others have found on this subject.
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paulthekind — 2008-06-09 04:31:59 UTC

This is an excellent post.

Most in the online realm have come across dozens of pseudoskeptics, but never quite knew what to call them, often ending up calling them '#$&$@*#'.

Now, I have a descriptive title for them.

Thanks.
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paulthekind — 2008-06-09 04:36:00 UTC

Oops, forgot to add a few examples:

The Amazing Randi: very funny guy, but not a true skeptic at all: looks to degrade and humiliate believers.

Michael Schermer: likeable guy who, unfortunately, laces his rebuttals with sarcasm and ad hominem criticisms.

I am a total skeptic, but now, with the new subspecies of pseudoskeptic at my categorizing disposal, do not have to align myself with hissers and cat callers such as Randi and Schermer.
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samantha — 2009-06-28 22:26:04 UTC

If you are really doing research the please show your peer-reviewed, verifiable, repeatable results.
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carlh49 — 2011-08-07 00:17:53 UTC

HAVE THE 2800 YEAR OLD PERSON EMAIL ME.....IF HE/SHE SO DESIRES

TELL HIM/HER THAT I WISH TOO;

PERHAPS WE CAN GO UP TOO THE PINON TREE'S AND CHEW ON SOME PINE NEEDLES AND SEED'S TOGATHER.

A TRANSCRAINAL BRAIN MESSAGE FROM HIM/HER MAY CAUSE THE CHI TOO FLOW INTO MY BRAIN.

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