We think of our eyes as video cameras and our brains as blank tapes to be filled with sensory inputs. Michael Shermer blankbraincamera Change image and share on social
In my experience, people are usually fired for reasons having to do with budgetary constraints, incompetence or not fulfilling the terms of a contract. Michael Shermer budgetaryconstraintcontract Change image and share on social
In order to displace a prevailing theory or paradigm in science, it is not enough to merely point out what it cannot explain; you have to offer a new theory that explains more data, and do so in a testable way. Michael Shermer datumdisplaceexplain share on social
In the long run, it is better to understand the way the world really is rather than how we would like it to be. Michael Shermer longrununderstand Change image and share on social
There are checks and balances in science. There's somebody checking the people doing the science, and then there's somebody who checks the checkers and somebody who checks the checker's checkers. Michael Shermer balancecheckchecker Change image and share on social
I always accepted the libertarian position of minimum regulation in the sale and use of firearms because I placed guns under the beneficial rubric of minimal restrictions on individuals. Michael Shermer acceptbeneficialfirearm Change image and share on social
One of the features of a democracy is the disentanglement of the sacred from the secular because in religiously pluralistic countries, no one can legitimately claim special status by faith membership. Michael Shermer claimcountrydemocracy Change image and share on social
Plato wove historical fact into literary myth. Michael Shermer facthistoricalliterary Change image and share on social
Being deeply knowledgeable on one subject narrows one's focus and increases confidence, but it also blurs dissenting views until they are no longer visible, thereby transforming data collection into bias confirmation and morphing self-deception into self-assurance. Michael Shermer assurancebiasblur share on social
In principle, skeptics are neither closed-minded nor cynical. We are curious but cautious. Michael Shermer cautiousclosecurious Change image and share on social
