Hi, LilBunnyRabbit
(cute name, btw )
I'll try to be more brief next time, my friend. I don't want to occupy all your time with replying to long posts
That is very true. The example I gave was analogous to observing something whether scientifically or otherwise and eventually coming to a conclusion that was not at all obvious in the first place. Possibly even considered impossible.
You are right; being skeptical is good. But I think that many people who believe themselves to be healthily skeptical are actually overly skeptical and closed minded.
Why not? I don't understand your question. What leads physicist to believe in multiple parallel universes is the observation of electrons only. Without the observation of electrons, they would have had to figure it out from a different source or not figured it out all. It's an example, though. Simply an analogy. The key is that without the proper quantitative measuring equipment that could be used to observe the electrons, these observations would never have been made and never have been verified and explored.
My main point is this: perhaps we have not yet developed the quantitative measurement machines capable of capturing information from (yet) unknown sources. Perhaps these things that are so confusing (like UFOs) are only confusing because we don't yet have the technology to reach out and to define them. To quantify them and classify them. That's all I'm saying. Electrons are only an example...
Of course not. I wouldn't expect you to change your mind without evidence. And really, it's not what I'm asking anyone to do. All I'm saying is don't dismiss possible explanations because they don't match everything that is currently known about the subject. In my opinion, the best thought process for when someone tells you a crazy theory is: 1) Assuming that it's true, how would it work? 2) How radically different is that from what I currently know and are there any connections with things I don't know? and 3) If it passes the first two conditions, I'll put into the I'll keep it in the back of my mind stack. If it doesn't, it goes into the "to reconsider at future date stack".
Not everyone has to think like that, but I don't want to accidentally limit my thinking because of an assumption or narrow mindedness (not saying that you're like that, btw).
I agree somewhat, but with the increasing level of proficiency in computer graphics it's hard to prove a photo or video's legitimacy. I also agree that one shouldn't automatically assume that it's supernatural. I'd agree with anyone saying that one shouldn't assume! I would approve of analyzing the experience and exploring every option, no matter how crazy it at first appears. That could include supernatural explanations, but since supernatural activities are by nature (definition) "beyond scientific measurement or understanding" it would be a bit pointless.
100% true, but the secrets we have unlocked thus far have asked many more questions than we have yet answered.
No, I disagree with your definitions.
I think being open minded is being willing to examine and consider the evidence for any position that is not your own. In other words, not being afraid of contradiction or challenges. Being really open minded might even include actively seeking redefinition of one's beliefs and actively comparing/contrasting them with other's beliefs.
Being closed minded is refusing to examine and consider the evidence for positions not your own.
But in these fantastical cases there are plenty of mundane explanations. You're going straight for the fantastical, and ignoring the mundane because it contradicts the person's beliefs.[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]
"That's a ghost." ... really? That's not at all what I said. I didn't say that the explanation was supernatural. How could I say that when my "motto" is that there is always something more to learn and "anything" is possible. I refuse to write it off as anything, although I will say that I am inclined to believe one thing over another.
The problem is when a person sees something that looks like a ghost (may be one, may be a small cloud of dust, could be a combination of light and a bush, whatever) and automatically says, "That's ANYTHING but a ghost," instead of "What could that be? What is it made of? Is it physical? etc." The true scientist doesn't care about whether what he or she is observing is contradictory to what contemporary science has documented. All he or she cares about is quantifying and classifying everything.
Hi, SpikeD
I'm glad we agree For the record, I don't believe that people are glimpsing into other universes when they experiences such things.
Just for the record
@Blade - I'm glad you're not offended. I didn't join in for that reason, though.