WHAT A SHAME- A look at the low points in the modern media. PSEUDOSCIENCE ON TELEVISION- LOGIC AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD NEED NOT APPLY. PT 13.

So you have turned on the TV, and you hear the Introduction From the Narrator Implying that "NEW EVIDENCE" will send the SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY INTO A PANIC, DESTROYING LONG HELD BELIEFS, AND PROVING THAT THE REAL RESEARCH IS BEING DONE BY SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS, LIKE THOSE FEATURED IN THE UPCOMING EPISODE.

Yet, at the end of the Show, all you were given was a lot of Speculation. Most of that is Presented without any DISSENSION from the Opposition, who almost always seem to represent the CONSENSUS OF OPINION FOUND IN THE PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND ACADEMIC COMMUNITIES.  What is Genuinely Puzzling is the Almost PARANOID RAMBLINGS of The Host, and Other Fellow Believers, about how They are Being "HUSHED UP", "VICTIMIZED"OR "RIDICULED" BY "ESTABLISHED AUTHORITIES", WHO FEAR THE "TRUTH."

This Type of REASONING IS LUDICROUS ON IT'S FACE, but Some Viewers Buy into it, without really Trying to Understand that it is Essentially AN EXCUSE FOR THE LACK OF QUALITY EVIDENCE PRESENTED ON PSEUDOSCIENCE TV PROGRAMS, SUPPORTING THE EXISTENCE OF WHICHEVER CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECT MATTER THAT IS THE FOCUS OF THE SHOW.  ( ALIEN VISITATION, BIGFOOT, GHOSTS, REPTOIDS, etc.)

First of all, They are given a TIME SLOT to present Their Case to the Viewers, with NO OBLIGATION TO PRESENT AN ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATION TO ANYTHING THEY SAY OR ASSERT.  SHODDY RESEARCH METHODS, BAD INFORMATION, INVALID CONCLUSIONS AND OUTRIGHT LIES GO UNCHALLENGED.  This is Done on a WEEKLY BASIS, OFTEN WITH NO OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE WHO DISAGREE, TO OBJECT OR RESPOND TO THE SOMETIMES NONSENSICAL "FACTS" TROTTED OUT BY THOSE APPEARING ON CAMERA.

Now it's Their Show, and The Producers can Film and Show Anything They want. But the CHARGES OF A "COVER-UP" would seem to be more likely found among Those Opinions NOT PUT ON THE AIR.

Date-  6/14/2015.

WHAT A SHAME- A look at the low points in the modern media. PSEUDOSCIENCE ON TELEVISION- LOGIC AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD NEED NOT APPLY. PT 12.

As I said in the last Post on this Subject, Titles can mean very little, so be careful when the Narrators sing the Praises of the "EXPERT."  

 Examples;

-  "ANCIENT ASTRONAUT THEORISTS" IS CURRENTLY BEING USED ON CERTAIN CABLE TELEVISION SHOWS.  WHAT PROFESSIONAL STATURE OR LEVEL OF EXPERTISE IN ANY BRANCH OF SCIENCE IS CONFERRED UPON THOSE WHO USE THIS TITLE?  ABSOLUTELY NONE.  I COULD CALL MYSELF A "JOLLY GREEN GIANT THEORIST," AND IT WOULD CARRY THE SAME LEVEL OF VALIDITY IN THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY.

     

-  "BIGFOOT" RESEARCHERS WHO CLAIM TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE CREATURES APPEARANCE, HABITS, BEHAVIOR, AND EVEN VOCALIZATIONS.  THE PROBLEM?  THEY HAVE NOT ONE SHRED OF SOLID EVIDENCE THAT CAN BE STUDIED, TESTED, AND EVALUATED IN A PROPER LABORATORY SETTING.  ANECDOTAL CLAIMS ARE MEANINGLESS, IN TERMS OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD, UNLESS THEY CAN BE BACKED UP BY PROPER SUPPORTING DATA. 

-  SORRY, BUT NO OCCUPATION SHOULD GIVE YOU A "FREE PASS," IN TERMS OF ACCEPTING YOUR TESTIMONY AS TRUE, AND BEYOND REPROACH.  THIS INCLUDES ACADEMICS, TEACHERS, PILOTS , POLICEMAN , MILITARY PERSONNEL etc.  OBSERVATION BIAS, PRECONCEIVED CONCLUSIONS, CULTURAL BACKGROUND, AND RELIGIOUS FAITH ARE SOME OF THE INFLUENCES THAT CAN AFFECT THE WAY ANYONE PERCEIVES A GIVEN EVENT, AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY EVALUATES IT INTO A PERSONAL FRAME OF REFERENCE AS TO WHAT ACTUALLY OCCURRED, AND WHAT IS STORED IN LONG AND SHORT TERM MEMORY.

THE RULES OF LOGIC, AND THE PROPER PROCEDURES INVOLVED IN EMPLOYING THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD MUST BE OBEYED BY EVERYONE. A GRANDIOSE TITLES, NAME RECOGNITION, OR EVEN PREVIOUS ACHIEVEMENTS DO NOT ALLOW FOR SHORTCUTS IN PROVING THE REALITY OF ANY PHENOMENA.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

FEATURE ARTICLES. SELF- DEFENSE, AND STAND-YOUR GROUND LAWS. PT 2.

As I explained in Part One, once the threat of physical harm has been removed, the claim of Self- Defense may no longer apply.  In the example I used, the Attacker has been disarmed, and is fleeing the scene.

You would be legally justified in pursuing and physically restraining the suspect, holding him until the Police arrive and make a formal arrest.

However, the force you use to detain the suspect must be reasonable, and does not include inflicting physical harm if no resistance is offered, and there is no longer a threat to you or anyone else.  For example, pinning the individual against the ground is probably perfectly legal, but pounding the head repeatedly against the ground may leave you open to Prosecution for using excessive force.

Yet , Stand-Your Ground Laws are being used to destroy the concept of Justifiable Self- Defense, allowing individuals who instigate a Physical Confrontation (An Attacker) to Claim Self- Defense when the Victim has no choice but to confront the aggression.  What is even worse is excusing the ATTACKERS BEHAVIOR BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED THEIR LIFE WAS IN DANGER, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE VICTIM DID ANYTHING THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED THREATENING BY ANY REASONABLE STANDARD. 

This is incredible. For the first time, we have a system of justice that protects the Attacker, against VICTIMS WHO MAY BE GUILTY OF NOTHING.  

Look for PT 3.

Date-  5/7/2014.

FEATURE ARTICLES. THANKS...MOM.

Thanks...Mom.

You were always there, from 

day one.

Thanks...Mom.

You believed in me, when at times,

I didn't believe in myself.

Thanks...Mom.

You sacrificed to give me a better life.

Thanks...Mom.

You were a parent first, and a friend second.

Thanks...Mom.

When it seemed that I was alone,

you were there.

Thanks...Mom.

Your love is pure, and asks nothing

of me.

Thanks...Mom.

When I was a child you protected me from evil,

because I was helpless.

Thanks...Mom.

When I was a Teenager, you tried to protect me

from myself.

Mom, as an adult, I find myself realizing what you

gave up for me.  You did it for no reward, other than the

hope that I would become a good man.

Mom, as much as I love, respect, and care about you,

there are many others who are neglected and forgotten.

THIS IS A TRIBUTE TO ALL MOTHERS OUT THERE,

THOSE WHO DID THE RIGHT THING.  THANK YOU.

YOU MAY NOT BE APPRECIATED NOW, BUT YOUR

LEGACY WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME.

Thanks...Mom.

YOU TAUGHT ME THE GREATEST AND MOST IMPORTANT

LESSON OF ALL:  THE MEASURE OF A PERSON IS NOT THEIR

WEALTH, BUT THEIR WORTH.

Thanks...Mom.

Date-  5/8/2014.