Author Archives: muser
Masks
One of the ways to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus is to wear a mask over the nose and mouth. For some reason, this has resulted in many people losing their shit and in many cases becoming … Continue reading
Settled Science
Occasionally I will hear that some issue is “settled science.” Often it’s in the context of a controversial topic such as climate change. The consensus among climate scientists is that climate change is real and man-made. They tend to dismiss … Continue reading
Generational Hostility
There are a lot of snide comments about people who, because of their age, don’t know things, or can’t do things. Older people natter on about “kids these days,” while younger people often dismiss elders as being technologically clueless. It’s … Continue reading
Disagreement Is Not Bigotry
Some years ago, a woman asked me whether I was in favor of gay marriage. I said that I was not. This led to her becoming angry with me over my obvious homophobia and bigotry. Clearly I gave the wrong … Continue reading
Grey Goo
There is a new and highly speculative concept of nanotechnology, the creation of functioning machines that are extremely small, possibly even microscopic. At the moment we are not able to make such machines, but some scientists consider it to be … Continue reading
Tools and Rules
These are some basic principles I use to help sort through the various topics and suggested explanations. Using them can simplify discussions.
Tools And Rules
These are some basic principles I use to help sort through the various topics and suggested explanations. Using them can simplify discussions.
The Dunning-Kruger Effect
Briefly, the Dunning-Kruger (DK) effect is the erroneous self-assessment of skill, knowledge, or other qualities in a field that is not the person’s area of expertise. This can be laymen grappling with an unfamiliar discipline, or experts who have strayed … Continue reading
Conspiracy Theories
Bielefeld Conspiracy theories strike me as an attempt to hold on to a cherished idea when there is insufficient evidence to support it. Rather than consider that the idea is wrong, a person clings to it and invents reasons to … Continue reading
Reasons And Excuses
I’ve often felt annoyed, even angry at people who offer bullshit reasons for not wearing a mask. They cut down your oxygen. They harbor germs. They show that you’re living in fear. They show that you’re afraid to use your … Continue reading →