DJ Grothe Skepticon 3

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Category:

Education

Tags:

• Skepticon
• DJ
• grothe
• hambone
• productions
• JREF

[benthejrporter]

Good to see some introspection in the Skeptic Movement; it has been previously lacking. Thanks.

[thernr]

I miss DJ Grothe on Point of Inquiry by center for inquiry

[jeanfou1]

Thank you posting such a stimulating talk. It has opened up some very interesting avenues of inquiry for me.

I love DJ, I miss his podcasts!

Also he is one hot dude.

[logician360]

I don't agree with Grothe in classifying theists like Martin Gardener as skeptics and atheists like Bill Maher or Joe Rogan as non-skeptics. To my mind, Joe Rogan's moon landing denialism is just as plausible, and just as backed up by the evidence as theism. Plus, it isn't what you believe that makes you a skeptic, but how you come to your beliefs, and Rogan at least argues for his beliefs, while Gardener essentially admitted that he couldn't.

[shawnzeeee]

@Panglos

Then this person and I got into a discussion about environmental factors (Livestock's long shadow: environmental issues and options) and health outcomes (ADAs 2009 position paper on veg diets). My point is, though I realize I rambled in my question, I do not regret asking it because it inspired a lot of interesting discussions :)

[shawnzeeee]

@Panglos @Panglos

there were six people waiting for me. Four of them wanted to thank me for asking that question. The other two wanted to "debate" me, I suppose. For the one person, I simply said "We live in an affluent nation where we have healthy alternatives to eating meat. Thus, meat consumption causes unnecessary harm to sentient beings." That guy agreed with me but as he left he said, "But it tastes so good!" The other guy wanted to get into a discussion about grass-fed cows. Good times!

[shawnzeeee]

@Panglos

Hello--- It definitely was a broad question, and admittedly I jotted it down on the fly. I see at least 100 ways I could have improved it. The purpose of my question was to test the waters to see if DJ sees any parallels between how most nonbelievers reject indoctrination of religion, yet so many skeptics never question meat consumption, a traditional practice that begins early in one's life.

When I was walking back to my chair, six people were waiting for me (con't)...

[Panglos]

@shawnzee: Did you really expect that DJ might get into details such as "how much credence do we give government-mandated nutrition information," "how much can front label information be trusted, if at all," "where do we draw the line with new age and wholistic remedies and foodstuffs," "how do we know what is good evidence about genetically modified foods," etc., when each of those topics could be a lengthy lecture unto itself?

Really, though, it was a great question, asked of a great speaker.

[Panglos]

@shawnzee: I think you suffer from unrealistic expectations. Your question was so broad, so big that there's no way it could be addressed in the time allowable if other people were also to be able to ask questions. We appreciate how far you came to get to the event, but other questioners shouldn't have to pay for it. DJ barely scratched the surface, only touching on the topic of ground rules for discussion of such a huge subject, before he ran out of time. (more...)

[shawnzeeee]

I am the person who asked the question about applying skepticism toward traditional/common dietary practices (36:25). I felt his answer to my question was somewhat dismissive. Overall, I enjoyed his talk but I remain unsatisfied with his response.