I’ve called myself a skeptic, but I haven’t actually acted on it until my recent visit to TAM8. There are many different ideas of what a skeptic truly is and many panels focused on how to be a skeptic while still being open minded/tolerant of other people’s choices. As in how can you call yourself a skeptic and still believe in __________?

I see skepticism as a deck of cards and you deal yourself the cards you choose through experience and/or study.

The Ace is (of course) the biggest, Atheism. Most skeptics have this card in their deck and cannot understand how or why everyone doesn’t. I definitely have this card in my hand. Though I often disparage those who don’t, I’m trying very hard to be tolerant of people who choose otherwise.

Let’s say the king is vaccinations. I’ve chosen to add that card to my skepticism hand, but I can somewhat understand how new parents can be confused and easily led into the misguided belief that vaccinations can damage their child.

We all laughed at the moon landing conspiracy guy, but he – along with the 9-11 conspiracy people – are completely convinced they’re on to something. The fact that he spent the money to be at TAM8 just to ask that question tells me how strongly he felt, and maybe someone smarter than me should have sat down and discussed the proven facts to him instead of us all just smirking. It took a lot of courage for him to get up in that crowd and express his opinion. Let’s make government conspiracies the queen.

Then there’s intelligent life out there in the universe. I don’t have that particular skeptical card in my deck. I believe there is, and maybe they’ve landed here in the past or could in the near future. Regardless of the in-depth panel I was instructed to attend. I guess that makes me the joker.

There are so many things to be skeptical about. We all have to pick and choose the cards we believe, or rather disbelieve.

10 – I don’t believe in ghosts

9 – I don’t believe in astrology.

8 – I don’t believe in telepathy.

7 – I don’t believe in psychic/faith healing – though it would be nice to get rid of this asthma thing.

6 – I don’t believe in homeopathy.

7 – I don’t believe in whatever the special power of rocks and minerals is called.

I’m still on the fence about genetically altered food. It’s not that I don’t think the science is good, I just don’t necessarily trust corporate greed and changes that might not be completely tested. I already think all those chemicals we’ve surrounded ourselves with can’t be good, and may be why there are so many cases of asthma, sensitivities and allergies. Sure, each chemical might be testing as safe but is there anyone testing average consumers vs. combinations?

Alt-medicine is still iffy for me too. Acupuncture has been around for centuries. It must work for something, right? I don’t know enough about it to completely poo-poo it, but I’d never accept it replacing real medicine.

I’m naturally gullible. And yet, still a cynic. So I don’t have a strong opinion until I’m completely convinced, but knowing my gullibility keeps my mind open. Wishy-washy? Absolutely. My method is to surround myself with intelligent people and lean on their (dis)beliefs.

Science works, bitches! But then again…