How to talk to a wannabe ghost hunter
I noticed that someone linked to my blog over on the SGU forum, in a post where the author was asking others for advice about a potential partner that wanted to join a ghost hunting team.
They were wondering what they should do because they’re a skeptic and their potential mate wanted to join a team that goes out looking for ghosts, and it’s sort of silly and misguided and pseduo-scientific.
I’m not a relationship expert, but personally I don’t think it’s a huge deal. I occasionally go on paranormal investigations with the team I am part of, and we have all sorts of members. Some of them are married or in relationships and although their partners don’t have an interest in the subject or have different beliefs than they do, it isn’t an obstacle for them.
When skepticism is off target
*update* Just to clarify, the Burzynski example included below refers to one person on twitter. It was included as an example of an ongoing problem. The tweeter in this case is what prompted me to write this post.
Skeptics are a varied bunch. Some skeptics are assholes and others aren’t. It’s that simple.*
I hate watching some conversations unfold on twitter where people who call themselves skeptics show the clear lack of knowledge they have about how to tackle misinformation and how not to, and make skeptics everywhere look like assholes when, in fact, they’re not.
When the whole Sally Morgan thing unfolded, for example, it became apparent that there was a small group of skeptics who were intent on punishing Sally Morgan through continual postings online and through digging up facts, dirt and personal information as though it would make some sort of difference. They were viscious and obsessed. It was pathetic and scary and borderline dangerous. They were borderline dangerous.
Fighting hunger. A fight I support.
I live close to the local Sainsbury’s store and went there today to buy some food for the weekend. As I entered the store there were two trollies in the entrance area that were slightly filled with dried goods, they had signs on them that explained how Sainsbury’s were doing a campaign to ‘help feed those in need’ called the ‘one million meal appeal’.
Essentially they were asking shoppers to spend an extra couple of pounds in store and donate dried goods (pasta, rice, sugar, tea, cans etc.) to the trollies. All donated goods are going to be sent to ‘Fareshare‘ and the company are going to match the donations made by customers.
The goods all go to Fareshare, who are, according to their website:
a national UK charity supporting communities to relieve food poverty. FareShare is at the centre of two of the most urgent issues that face the UK: food poverty and food waste.
You can find out more about how they help people here.
However, these stats are pretty awesome.
- In 2010/11, the food redistributed by FareShare contributed towards more than 8.6 million meals
- The FareShare Community Food Network has 700 Community Members across the UK receiving food, training and advice
- Every day an average of 35,500 people benefit from the service FareShare provides
For my entire life I have taken food and drink for granted. As I grew older I became aware of famine effecting third world countries. It hasn’t been until recently that I’ve become aware of just how many people in this country go without food and drink because they cannot afford it – and not just the homeless.
The only time I have ever come close to not being able to buy food was during the few months I was on Job Seekers Allowance. My payments hadn’t been processed correctly and I had gone 6 weeks without any money. My family had been forced to support me and feed me and suddenly they couldn’t afford to do that any more and I had to beg a lady on the phone to give me an emergency loan of £40 just so I could go and buy some food and drink.
When I got to the Jobcentre to collect my cheque I was filled with such a sense of relief that it made me feel groggy. I then walked with the other dozens of people in the same position as me to the post office to cash our cheques in. It was horrible and humiliating and I promised myself I would do whatever I could to help others.
I am now in full time employment and when I saw this appeal in store I put my shopping aside for one moment and went and purchased as many dried goods as I could put on my debit card (I had no cash on me or it would have been much more), I paid for them and then put them in the trolly. The store manager was there and was surprised to see me emptying the whole basket into the donation trolley, but he thanked me and explained all about how they were to match all the donations. He was very passionate about it and that made it ever more awesome.
I spent £10.53 on donated food – it’s surprisisng how much rice, pasta, tea, coffee, sugar, cans of veg and soup, and hot chocolate you can buy for £10.53. (I put the hot chocolate in because everyone needs hot chocolate.)
One bag of Basics range rice costs 55p. One bag of pasta is 89p. A can of peas were 34p.
I could afford to buy these things and I’m glad to know that someone else will benefit from them. Sometimes being in need is a situation completely out of your control and it’s embarrassing and humiliating to have to ask for help. If that help is already in place though, it makes it so much more easier.
That’s why I supported Fareshare today with my donations. That’s why I’m asking that if you are out shopping today you consider popping into your nearest Sainsbury’s and donate £2 worth of tinned veg or pasta.
I support…
