How to keep an open mind...?

Although I love this forum, since I joined I have had a dilemma.

On one hand, there is the concept of keeping an open mind.. not being so ignorant as to reject anything that you can't explain or fit into your view of the world. On the other, there is ignorance through being gullible and naive. It seems to be a fine balance to be just open enough to believe but skeptic enough to filter out the nonsense. If you stray from this point on the spectrum in either direction, you seem to be criticized.. even on ATS. If you look at an issue with the skeptic' glasses, people call you closed minded. Otherwise you are considered too gullible. People that keep their mind too open to issues such as God are considered ignorant by nonbelievers, while atheists are judged by believers for not keeping an open mind.

It seems so easy in theory. "While reading ATS, Keep an open mind, but just keep just enough skepticism", But I find myself slipping sometimes. When opinions seem so good, I notice myself blindly agreeing. Then I feel somewhat ashamed for being so weak-willed. When I read that Endoftheworld post, I felt an irrational panic even though I knew better.

So, enough rambling, I guess my question is: What are your personal experiances with ATS? How much skepticm and how much receptivness do you practice while reading this forum? And what techniques do you use to prevent being gullible

Thanks in advance
DR

This is deep in a way. For me, keeping an open mind is like verifying facts.

I did a fast search and found another group who have a simular conversation.

I too, have at times acted irrationally. The Aussiebloke scare was one. Part of it I belive is growing up, but other times, like with AB, it was an instinctive, herd panic that sped through anyone who read that thread. Even though the odds that THREE asteroids would hit earth with a few days when impacts are millions of years apart, are incredibly low, people were still worried.

The method I have found that is most helpful is not to speak too rashly, when you think of something to post, wait a couple of hours or a day and see how it looks then. In addressing the same issue at two different times, you gain a more rational, unbiased perspective. This also helps temper those very persuasive opinion pieces that are so easy to go along with when you read them.

If people call me closed-minded, I usually find it is because thier own perspectives are too extreme, warping how they interpret my posts. They become a religious zealot of sorts, drawn in by their own beliefs until they are consumed by them. They become obsessed by some issue, and refuse to be dissuaded by even the most logical arguments.

Before I believe in something I like to see high-quality photos or video that shows a lot of detail, as well as a very accurate descriptions by the person posting. Common sense is there for a reason, and that reason is to point out when something is obviously stupid.

On the other hand, the areas now being investigated by physics are often in direct conflict woth what our common sense tells us is right. So again, moderation is the key. Moderation in everything, including moderation. I don't know who said that but it is very true. Sometimes the extreme views are right, but ususally not.

I hope I answered your question.

Then there is also the wilfully ignorant, those who revel in their ignorance and seek no reform.

I encounter alot of those at work.

A technique that I have been using recently is laughter. .

You would be surprised. Imagine you read something heavy like "End of the world post!!!" The evidence is convincing and you begin to feel uncomfortable. Just start giggling a little and your brain begins to reanalyze it. You may decide that it still fits into your world afterall, but you have a much more objective view of it if you don't let your emotions get in the way of reason. Comments? Other Techniques?

PS

The method I have found that is most helpful is not to speak too rashly, when you think of something to post, wait a couple of hours or a day and see how it looks then. In addressing the same issue at two different times, you gain a more rational, unbiased perspective. This also helps temper those very persuasive opinion pieces that are so easy to go along with when you read them.

I gave this techniue a shot, and it definitely brings results. You may be a bit more relaxed after reading those "Persuasive opinion peices" and might be less likely to let their extreme nature cloud your judgement.

[edit on 21-8-2004 by DreamReality]

I say read everything at face value. What is the old saying Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see. I try to read the first post and make my own opion from the facts and then go through the threads and see what everyone else has to say. I don't always agree with everythignand you get your share of "excentric ppl" on here.But this is a way to look at everyones opion and to hear different sides of the story. Or to see something through someone elses eyes! Sometimes in life you just have to think outside the box!!!

I pretty much believe anything is possible and try not sway for or against a position. But at times I do, and when I do, I'm put back in the middle, and realize that hey, its possible for that to be true if you look at reality from this angle and that's possible if you look at it from this angle. But then how does it add up when you look from angles at once, nothing, at least nothing important.

EDIT: or maybe it's everything.

[edit on 21-8-2004 by Jamuhn]