Skeptiholic

As skeptics we all have a heavy burden to bear. It is our duty to examine claims, debunk claims, and educate the public. The latter duty is the heaviest burden of all. We are constantly fighting an uphill battle. We have to fight against religious programming, psuedoscience, and limitless amounts of misinformation. We do not have the luxury of being able to make claims and have people take them at face value. We are constantly bound by the strict laws of the Scientific Method.

One of the most notable problems we face is a method of “debate” as eloquent as a drunkard’s ramblings, the Gish Gallop. The Gish Gallop is named after Duane Gish, a creationist who would bombard his opponents with false claims. The reason this works is because his opponent doesn’t have the time to debunk each claim. This is, for me, the most frustrating part of being a skeptic. It is nearly impossible to definitively debunk even a single claim that may come up in conversation.

The best way we can ease our burden is to educate the public. Improve science education in schools, encourage critical thinking, and never stop our fight. It is our duty to bear this burden, heavy though it may be. We must fight this fight, no matter how hard or vain it may seem.