Recently, within that group, there was a minor stir when Phil Plait, former President of the James Randi Educational Foundation, made a little speech about the tone of skeptical arguments. His message, as he often sums it up, was simply “don’t be a dick.” It’s a catchphrase he borrowed from internet maven, Wil Wheaton. He is “concerned” that skeptics are engaging in “childish, demeaning behavior” and “taking the low road.” He’s afraid that people are being aggressive, and calling people “retards” and “idiots.” He’s playing the role of the tone police, for lack of a better term.

Now, ignoring the roots that I think that this entire speech has in some higher profile atheist disputes within the community, I can’t help but laugh at this topic.  Looking at this commentary, and the way in which it’s delivered, I can’t help but think of a whole range of conversations in my life.  The thing that sticks out to me, here is the hypocrisy of the “nice guy.” This is the guy who says, “I’m nice. You are not. You need to be like me.” He says, “I’m doing things right, and you are ruining it.” He says, “My way is the only way. Yours is abhorrent.” So, what bothers me about this argument? It’s fucking rude, for one. It’s wrong on top of that. But most of all, in telling you so very frankly how you should be acting (namely nice, like him), he is becoming the very thing that he wishes you were not. He’s being a dick.

Go back to that link and watch Phil’s speech, and tell me what words come to mind with his tone. Friendly? Fun? Scientific? Sorry, no. Try sanctimonious. Try preachy. Try accusatory. (Try unfounded…while we’re at it.) This is the irony of the tone-nazi. In an attempt to call out the imaginary devils of the skeptic movement, he becomes a devil himself. He’s stirring the pot, creating internal strife, and deriding his fellows. And worst of all, he’s doing all of it in the most unskeptical manner possible: with assertion, after assertion, after assertion. This is the “just-so” fallacy of skeptical speeches.

And did I mention it’s pretty fucking rude too?

Note: Am I being rude, in turn, by calling out Plait on his speech? Sure, possibly. But I’m not the one advocating his “don’t be a dick” policy. I happen to think that a firm and strident approach can be quite effective. Hell, I’d even defend a skeptic calling people “retarded” in certain circumstances. But Tone-Nazis are after one thing, and that’s to exercise control over you. Why do you think it was long considered taboo, for example, to discuss religion and politics in “polite company?” And notice, that the only two examples even lightly touched on in that video (one by Plait, and one by Bidlack in the Q&A) were….yep….religion and politics. I say, talk it up. A skeptic has nothing to fear from scrutiny.

Update: Phil has posted another addendum to his blog on this topic. Sure enough, his speech is really ringing true with, guess who? The religious skeptics! They feel that when other skeptics critically examine their beliefs, they are being personally attacked. I wonder if, as a thought experiment, we replaced all the crying religious skeptics he mentions with crying psychic skeptics. Would there be as much “let’s be nice” sentiment? I think not.

                          

I thought long and hard recently about upgrading to a full wall-sized Journey poster, but feared that my miserly budget wouldn’t allow it. Now I can relax, iron out my smoking jacket, mix up a Tom Collins, and revel in my bachelorhood at last! Thanks to Heather’s fine gift, my dating future is assured. I’m sure my sex life will see the fruits of this classy purchase in no time! Thanks, Hettie!

                          

No, gentle reader, the mindless masses do exactly what they are told, and rent everything that was released in the last 6 months! What is UP with that?!?! Top 5 are as follows:

1. Crash
2. The Departed
3. Mr. and Mrs. Smith
4. Walk the Line
5. Little Miss Sunshine

Okay, I’m not saying that these aren’t fine films (well, maybe I’m saying that about ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’) but why must the populace confine themselves to the same films that line Blockbuster Video shelves by the score? Simple brainwashing, I’m guessing. TV advertising at work. And for putting ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ up there in lights, I’m awarding Netflix users the first ever GOLDEN SHEEP AWARD!!! (proudly displayed to the left) This award celebrates the grazing herds of this world…shear yourselves bare, Netflix Top 100 voters, you deserve it!

Okay, so since I’m so much better than everyone else, I’m going to recommend 10 movies you absolutely better have seen before you can rent garbage like ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’!!

1. Citizen Kane (snobby but good)
2. Rushmore
3. This is Spinal Tap
4. Clue
5. Blade Runner
6. Shine
7. Grave of the Fireflies
8. Shaun of the Dead
9. Rear Window (and it better be the Hitchcock version)
10. Brazil

Not necessarily in that order, are some of the best films available on DVD. Not all of them are serious films, but all are exceptional for different reasons. Once you can see those reasons, and appreciate them, you graduate to being able to give an honest opinion of most new releases. Bottom line….new is not necessarily improved.