Add Skepticism

Over the past year, I have been developing another perspective on the world around me. This blog has been mostly about Taoism, which has been my dominant philosophy for the last four years. Before Taoism, I believed in the tenets or non-tenets of Dada or Dadaism. Now I have put on a new hat--skepticism. The main influence of this skepticism is the podcast, The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe.

I have found that skepticism has been the healthiest and most logical viewpoint I can have on the known universe. A skeptic is a firm believer in the scientific method. Although I was never liked most of my science courses, I did like science's approach to knowing the world around us. Ever since listening to SGU's podcast, I have been hooked on reading books about skepticism and its attack on pseudoscience. Here are the books I have read so far in order of my preference:

1. Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World
2. Terence Hines, Pseudoscience and the Paranormal
3. James Randi, Flim-Flam!

I still adhere to the philosophy of Taoism for things science cannot fully explain. More importantly, I use Taoism to understand human behavior and human interaction. For me, Taoism helped me reach the conclusion that egotism is the road to ruin. The philosophy of the Tao is the best medicine for stress relief. This philosophy works well with science in that both point out how small we are in the universe. But Taoism shows us how we can change the universe--by changing ourselves.

And Dada is still very important in my life in terms of having fun and expressing myself. For example, this posting is not very Dada. Dada mocks this style. For what is the use of blogging to no one or the blob known as the blogosphere? Dada is like Taoism because they play with language's inability to explain the universe. That's why I can't really get to the point in this paragraph. Dada cannot fit in a paragraph. Dada cannot fit anywhere. Dada fits in empty space. Dada destroys occupied space. Although Dada is an old art movement, it always seems fresh to me when I apply it.

Dada and skepticism can be used for self-defense. If I want to protect myself from scams and hoaxes, I will use skepticism. If I want to protect myself from creeping boredom and dead seriousness, I will use dada. I apply logic and the scientific method in skepticism, whereas I apply the artistic approach in dada. If my self-defense works, I become a stronger skeptic or I become a more creative and fun-loving person.

How has skepticism changed me in the past year?

• I no longer sit on the fence about my belief or disbelief in UFOs, ghosts, and psychic powers.
• I have an even stronger argument against the fallacies of creationism and The Bible-as-literal-truth.
• I wish more people turned towards science rather than religion for answers, especially for questions like "How old is the world?"
• I have a stronger belief in Western medicine but not in the current American health care system.
• It has given me a new angle to view politics, although I reach the same conclusion of most politicians cannot be trusted.
• I have new found love for the sciences.
• I am more optimistic about the future.

Thank you skepticism.