It concerns me how much the language of religion has infiltrated the concept of “truth” in public discourse. Instead of pointing to objective facts, studies or other evidence, leaders (especially politicians) just state that they “believe” X policy will produce Y result (with “I believe X is better for children” being the prime example). There is so much more interest in positions than facts. It’s as if the whole world has become lawyers (and I’m one myself).
FrumiousBandersnarksays
Midwestern Gent: you’ve just described “framing.” Style over substance, positions over facts, beliefs over evidence.
FB — Thanks for that info. I’d seen the term used here before, but had not focused on its specific meaning.
gerald speziosays
Minutes ago I pecked out this simple response to a post at the Intersection by Sheril Kirschenbaum entitled CRAP from CAP. Sheril’s post is terrific. I was surprised when my response was published.
By publishing my petty words Mooney and Sheril had shown me up. I was humbled, and I started thinking that Mooney was the guy I always thought he was. I needed to thank him for his openness. Rather magnanimous of him.
Hit him in the shoulder, as he hit PZ.
I did feel sorry. We may all croak soon from our own stupidity, and Sheril’s words said it very well. Me too!
I’ll take framing, re-framing, anything in the name of truth and science…
When I returned to thank him and Sheril, my response had been removed. About 12 minutes had elapsed.
Here is my precise removed post. I meant well. Science is sacred, and I thought that Sheril was on point.
Perfect time to demonstrate – do the experiment.
“Shoddy framing. Very shoddy framing.
Let’s re-frame now. Demonstrate the wisdom.
Call in RE-FRAMING MAN. You know him”
Jeremy Bernstein once claimed that true cranks are invariably humorless.
I don’t know if Bernstein’s axiom applies here.
The framing geniuses have been pitching humor lately.
If you guys have wisdom and humor, give it to all of us.
In science, “All theories are not only permitted but required.”
“We are launching a campaign to place freethought billboards up around the country, wherever an irreverent billboard is needed-which is practically everywhere!” says Annie Laurie Gaylor, Foundation spokeswoman.
“We don’t go to Mass, but we want to reach the masses,” adds Dan Barker, Foundation co-president. “We think it is time for the rest of us to use the mass media to counter the ubiquity of religious messages on roadsides everywhere!”
jeffksays
Non Sequitur has a *lot* of Calvin and Hobbes influence. Which is a good thing.
TWsays
The Comic Toolbox: How to Be Funny Even If You’re Not
by John Vorhaus
It’s not funny, but that’s what the comments are for!
It concerns me how much the language of religion has infiltrated the concept of “truth” in public discourse. Instead of pointing to objective facts, studies or other evidence, leaders (especially politicians) just state that they “believe” X policy will produce Y result (with “I believe X is better for children” being the prime example). There is so much more interest in positions than facts. It’s as if the whole world has become lawyers (and I’m one myself).
Midwestern Gent: you’ve just described “framing.” Style over substance, positions over facts, beliefs over evidence.
Or so you’d frame it, Bandersnark.
FB — Thanks for that info. I’d seen the term used here before, but had not focused on its specific meaning.
Minutes ago I pecked out this simple response to a post at the Intersection by Sheril Kirschenbaum entitled CRAP from CAP. Sheril’s post is terrific. I was surprised when my response was published.
By publishing my petty words Mooney and Sheril had shown me up. I was humbled, and I started thinking that Mooney was the guy I always thought he was. I needed to thank him for his openness. Rather magnanimous of him.
Hit him in the shoulder, as he hit PZ.
I did feel sorry. We may all croak soon from our own stupidity, and Sheril’s words said it very well. Me too!
I’ll take framing, re-framing, anything in the name of truth and science…
When I returned to thank him and Sheril, my response had been removed. About 12 minutes had elapsed.
Here is my precise removed post. I meant well. Science is sacred, and I thought that Sheril was on point.
Perfect time to demonstrate – do the experiment.
“Shoddy framing. Very shoddy framing.
Let’s re-frame now. Demonstrate the wisdom.
Call in RE-FRAMING MAN. You know him”
Jeremy Bernstein once claimed that true cranks are invariably humorless.
I don’t know if Bernstein’s axiom applies here.
The framing geniuses have been pitching humor lately.
If you guys have wisdom and humor, give it to all of us.
In science, “All theories are not only permitted but required.”
THIS is how science works:
http://www.xkcd.com/54/
i must say: i love how the “email this to your friends” application works so fast. I just send and send and send.
http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/10/01/atheist-billboard-in-madison-wisconsin/
“We are launching a campaign to place freethought billboards up around the country, wherever an irreverent billboard is needed-which is practically everywhere!” says Annie Laurie Gaylor, Foundation spokeswoman.
“We don’t go to Mass, but we want to reach the masses,” adds Dan Barker, Foundation co-president. “We think it is time for the rest of us to use the mass media to counter the ubiquity of religious messages on roadsides everywhere!”
Non Sequitur has a *lot* of Calvin and Hobbes influence. Which is a good thing.
The Comic Toolbox: How to Be Funny Even If You’re Not
by John Vorhaus
http://www.amazon.com/Comic-Toolbox-Funny-Even-Youre/dp/1879505215/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product/103-1235279-8438265
Chapter One: Comedy is Truth and Pain
So there. It’s funny.