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This isn't law. This isn't a scientific journal or theory of medicine. It is commentary on the internet. If there is an unsubstantiated claim you have two go

This isn't law. This isn't a scientific journal or theory of medicine. It is commentary on the internet. If there is an unsubstantiated claim you have two good faith choices: 1. Ignore it. 2. If, and only if, you are actually interested in exploring the comment deeper than ask a proper question kindly probing for specificity or help with understanding. There is some false notion that assertions must be proven. It is commentary on the internet. If you really REALLY want it proven, in the spirit of science, you will independently attempt to reproduce the experiment or research.

davvolun 8y ago
> ask a proper question kindly probing for specificity or help with understanding "Can you back up your statement with a source" is insufficient? > in the spirit of science, you will independently attempt to reproduce the experiment or research In the spirit of science, I need to know your prior assumptions, sources, previous work in the area, ... I get where you're coming from, but I need to know your starting point, otherwise we're as likely as not to be arguing past each other. I absolutely disagree that those are your only "good faith" choices -- like I implied above, before I'm going to get deeply involved in a discussion with some random person on the internet, I need to know that you're coming from a good faith place too.
jeremysmyth 8y ago
What if an unsupported claim is actually harmful to society, if believed? 15% of people believe the US government was responsible for the 9/11 attacks[1]. 42% of Britons believe that the UK sends £350M a week to the EU[2]. If voters make decisions based on such beliefs, I'd expect material damage to democracy. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polls_about_9/11_conspiracy_theories https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polls_about_9/11_con... [2] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/vote-leave-brexit-lies-eu-pay-money-remain-poll-boris-johnson-a8603646.html https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/vote-leave-br...

davvolun 8y ago

> ask a proper question kindly probing for specificity or help with understanding "Can you back up your statement with a source" is insufficient? > in the spirit of science, you will independently attempt to reproduce the experiment or research In the spirit of science, I need to know your prior assumptions, sources, previous work in the area, ... I get where you're coming from, but I need to know your starting point, otherwise we're as likely as not to be arguing past each other. I absolutely disagree that those are your only "good faith" choices -- like I implied above, before I'm going to get deeply involved in a discussion with some random person on the internet, I need to know that you're coming from a good faith place too.

jeremysmyth 8y ago

What if an unsupported claim is actually harmful to society, if believed? 15% of people believe the US government was responsible for the 9/11 attacks[1]. 42% of Britons believe that the UK sends £350M a week to the EU[2]. If voters make decisions based on such beliefs, I'd expect material damage to democracy. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polls_about_9/11_conspiracy_theories https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polls_about_9/11_con... [2] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/vote-leave-brexit-lies-eu-pay-money-remain-poll-boris-johnson-a8603646.html https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/vote-leave-br...