Debunkatron
For the fun of debunking,
duty of skepticism,
and the love of science.
It is difficult to say what truth is, but sometimes it is easy to recognize falsehood.
--Albert Einstein
The trouble with the world is not that people know too little, but that they know so many things that ain't so.
--Mark Twain
When you read or overhear nonsense or the besmirching of science, do you have an urge to respond and set things straight? Are you seeking knowledge and tools to help refute such foolishness? Would you like to be the bane of forums with topics about pseudoscience, bizarre conspiracies, quackery or the paranormal? If yes to any of the above, then you have come to the right place. Welcome!
Debunking can be an easy sport and it can require tedious research to learn a subject and get your facts straight. Although ideologues and true believers cannot be swayed by logical arguments and evidence, there might be others on the sidelines who can be influenced.
True believers can be quite deluded. You say one thing and they will hear another (see Illusion of Superiority for an explanation). And in the case of bizarre conspiracy believers, any argument against the conspiracy becomes an argument for the conspiracy. But you might be able to plant a seed of reality that could rear it's beautiful sprout years later.
Debunking isn't about being contrary (no it isn't! yes it is!); it's about exposing shams and falseness, and it can be good debate practice or just plain fun. Apart from having fun, I think the primary goal should be the defense of quality science because it's such an amazingly useful tool for discovery and progress.
Also, imagination and fiction can be useful, inspiring and make you feel good. But when fiction is presented as fact, it is bunk and open to criticism, and your health or wealth can be in jeopardy from bunk.
