Why Skeptics Live in a Prison of Their Own Making

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Some skeptics are actually proud of their being skeptical. This is like a prisoner being proud of their jail cell.

A skeptic requires real hard evidence or solid proof to believe in something. Meanwhile the open-minded person is light years ahead because they were unafraid of being wrong, looking stupid in the eyes of others and trusted their judgment.

Think open-minded, yet discerning. Don't believe everything that comes down the pike yet don't reject it on contact.

Skeptics' thoughts are like jailors. Their thoughts instantly dismiss the unlimited number of possibilities because "they know better." Many are proud of being skeptical too. This is a product of their ego, patting itself on the back for "not looking like a fool" or "not buying into a scam." Meanwhile the guy who's open minded, who doesn't let his damaging ego call the shots, has tried and failed at more than one opportunity, has found his calling and is now making a small fortune. He didn't care about looking foolish in the eyes of others or failing. He just saw opportunity.

Virtually every billionaire, world-renowned person or sage had an army of skeptics who believed they were a loon. Meanwhile the loons changed humanity while the skeptics proceed to live a bland life.

What's your take on skepticism?
#live #making #prison #skeptics
  • Profile picture of the author ucajack
    well skeptics are important i think if they were not there, who we will make butt of our jokes.
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    • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
      Originally Posted by ucajack View Post

      well skeptics are important i think if they were not there, who we will make butt of our jokes.
      Certainly! Contrast is the spice of life. If we didn't have skeptics this post wouldn't be possible

      Ryan Biddulph
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    • Profile picture of the author KC-Coop
      Originally Posted by Black Magick View Post

      Lol, that's a great way of looking at it.
      Would our success feel as great if there weren't any skeptics or naysayers?
      This.

      There have been people telling me that I can't build businesses or make money online my entire life. That I should go to college, get a degree and get a nice job.

      Every time that I see these people - knowing that I did exactly what they said I couldn't - drives me to do even more.
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    No problem!

    RB
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  • Profile picture of the author prospectinghero
    Hey Ryan,

    My opinion is within this Industry we are better of WITH them.

    It keeps us on our feet and always staying on top of the new business trends because without them many would not have a business.

    Thanks for keeping it real Ryan!
    Tommy D.
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    • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
      Originally Posted by prospectinghero View Post

      Hey Ryan,

      My opinion is within this Industry we are better of WITH them.

      It keeps us on our feet and always staying on top of the new business trends because without them many would not have a business.

      Thanks for keeping it real Ryan!
      Tommy D.
      Tommy D, great to see you here!

      I agree with your viewpoint. They might be hurting themselves but are a necessary part of the whole.

      RB
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  • Profile picture of the author Mr. Subtle
    Originally Posted by ryanbiddulph View Post

    What's your take on skepticism?
    Some people believe that skepticism is the rejection of new ideas, or worse, they confuse "skeptic" with "cynic" and think that skeptics are a bunch of grumpy curmudgeons unwilling to accept any claim that challenges the status quo. This is wrong. Skepticism is a provisional approach to claims. It is the application of reason to any and all ideas -- no sacred cows allowed. In other words, skepticism is a method, not a position. Ideally, skeptics do not go into an investigation closed to the possibility that a phenomenon might be real or that a claim might be true. When we say we are "skeptical," we mean that we must see compelling evidence before we believe. ~Dr. Michael Shermer
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    • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
      Originally Posted by Mr. Subtle View Post

      Some people believe that skepticism is the rejection of new ideas, or worse, they confuse "skeptic" with "cynic" and think that skeptics are a bunch of grumpy curmudgeons unwilling to accept any claim that challenges the status quo. This is wrong. Skepticism is a provisional approach to claims. It is the application of reason to any and all ideas -- no sacred cows allowed. In other words, skepticism is a method, not a position. Ideally, skeptics do not go into an investigation closed to the possibility that a phenomenon might be real or that a claim might be true. When we say we are "skeptical," we mean that we must see compelling evidence before we believe. ~Dr. Michael Shermer
      Mr. Subtle, you like to quote people with titles attached to their names. How about your own words

      The thing about people with "Dr" attached to their names: they feel the need to validate their title with each word spoken or written.

      Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. I'll stay open-minded yet discerning and let the rest attempt to impress.

      RBs Keys
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      • Profile picture of the author fxprofitmountain
        Originally Posted by ryanbiddulph View Post

        The thing about people with "Dr" attached to their names: they feel the need to validate their title with each word spoken or written.

        Interesting. Does this mean that a Doctor who does not have "Dr" attached to his or her name is not looking for validation? Perhaps this Dr has healthier self-esteem than the one brandishing a business card?
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        • Profile picture of the author Tommy Perez
          Man...I totally agree here.

          There are sooo many people who are so skeptical that they believe only they are right.

          Only problem is...much of their thinking stems from a whole host of limiting beliefs.

          And yet they rationalize these beliefs in the aims of preserving self-value and self-concept.

          Trying to get new ideas through to these people is like talking to a brick wall. Seriously.
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        • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
          Originally Posted by fxprofitmountain View Post

          Interesting. Does this mean that a Doctor who does not have "Dr" attached to his or her name is not looking for validation? Perhaps this Dr has healthier self-esteem than the one brandishing a business card?
          It has nothing to do with the label, more with the communication. Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Try to hard to impress - most of this goes on at a subconscious level - it demonstrates you WANT people to think that you're smart.

          Get where I'm at?

          RB
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          • Profile picture of the author ucajack
            Well on a serious note skeptics are necessary as they some times play the role of devil's advocate effectively.
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            • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
              Originally Posted by ucajack View Post

              Well on a serious note skeptics are necessary as they some times play the role of devil's advocate effectively.
              I would say skeptics causes some people to think, which may or may not be a good thing. Thinking deeply causes one to rethink a poorly constructed theory but it also causes people with less confidence to think themselves out of a sound theory.

              RB
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              • Profile picture of the author ucajack
                Originally Posted by ryanbiddulph View Post

                I would say skeptics causes some people to think, which may or may not be a good thing. Thinking deeply causes one to rethink a poorly constructed theory but it also causes people with less confidence to think themselves out of a sound theory.

                RB
                Absolutely but then people with lesser confidence can take this as an opportunity to think about it and make their theory fool proof.
                But yes it is very important that skeptic is a person of some knowledge and experience.
                views of a fool does not deserve this much respect because arguing with an idiot is a fruitless exercise since as famously said, "Never argue with an idiot, since he will take you down to his level and then beat with experience".
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  • Profile picture of the author paulie888
    I totally agree, Ryan. If everyone in the world was a hardened skeptic, we'd never have seen many things that we take for granted today - the airplane, personal cellphones, light bulbs, and even the personal computer.

    We can harness this skepticism in a positive manner. If we find someone ridiculing our internet marketing efforts, instead of using that as an excuse not to continue we should instead transform it into our burning, driving force to forge ahead and prove them wrong! I find that this works very well for me, and we might as well flip this skepticism around into something positive instead.
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  • Profile picture of the author The Vizier
    Great thread Ryan!

    I think skeptics are just afraid of failure. It is true that there is little reason to take needless risks. But if the pioneers were not afraid of failing, humanity would never have gotten to where they are today. Failure is a vital part of success and without accepting this fact, there can be no progress. Skeptics are people who have taken caution to the extreme. There should be a healthier blend of caution and risk taking.

    Having said that skeptics are good to listen to once in awhile to see if there are any points we may have missed out. But we should differentiate the statements they make to see if it is founded or unfounded. Listen to advice and concerns but at the end of the day, take what works, discard the rest and make up our own minds.
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