In this week’s spotlight I wish to discuss the value of testimonials. When someone offers an unsolicited testimony with no expectation of reward, what are we to think? Assume a product receives multiple five star reviews, does that mean the product is really as great as the folks reporting claim? If testimonials have any value, how are we to know that the seller is not seeding the testimonials in an effort to inflate the product’s success with customers? Testimonials and Group Thinking In my book, Gotcha! The Subordination of Free ... Read More
This week’s spotlight is all about the death of reason. A new study reported in Science Alert informs us, and I quote, “The issue is that when it comes to facts, people think more like lawyers than scientists, which means they ‘cherry pick’ the facts and studies that back up what they already believe to be true.” 1 Fake News Researchers argue that a lot happened in 2016 including fake news that in aggregate has led to cultural shifts, one of which they say is a new trend referred ... Read More
In this week’s spotlight I would like to turn your thoughts for a moment to consciousness. When you think of consciousness, what comes to your mind? Do you consider the notion of who you are as part of your consciousness? I mean, if your memories were erased and synthetic memories took their place and your personality changed as a result, how would this impact your consciousness? Identity Now, if consciousness to you is about who you are, then you should know that many of the new neurotechnologies potentially threaten that. ... Read More
In this week’s spotlight I wish to discuss the idea of evil. I have to admit that it both surprises and disturbs me to know that many supposedly enlightened teachers today insist evil is only an illusion. Indeed, one such prominent teacher informed me that so-called evildoers enter into agreements on the other side to play the role of the likes of Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, and so forth. Evil according to the teachings of these folks is not just a role someone takes on to educate us ... Read More
In this week’s spotlight I would like to take on the issue of evidence. What is good evidence? When can we rely on it? Should we expect evidentiary material to accompany claims and assertions? I mean, what real evidence is there for many spiritual contentions? Doctor Recommended This week I posted a video featuring actual television commercials from the 1950’s for cigarettes. The ads featured physicians endorsing smoking. One ad even showed the Surgeon General approved of smoking. Doctor after doctor endorsed not only smoking but particular brands. Camel cigarettes ... Read More
