Skepticism, the Matrix, the FSM, and the Amazing Randi

[zebediah]

Well, those were the seeds of this, anyway...there's a thought that, if I could take more seriously, would be very disturbing

Comments

[randysmith]

I have some data that supports this theory, but I'd rather not put it out where the FSM can read it :-}. Ask me in person some time.

(Wow that paragraph sounds like an archetypal paranoid conspiracy freak. Cool! :-}).

[zebediah]

I'll see you at the "concert" tonight. We should be able to talk freely. I have it on good authority that the FSM can't stand sondheim.

Or alternately

[admiralthrawn]

Or alternately, the FSM likes the smell of incense, so whenever he sees someone sitting around inside a ritual circle burning incense, he comes and pokes them with some "impossible" phenomena or sticks a silly thought into their head.

Thus, every time scientists and skeptics figure something out that is right, there's a counterweight of mystics fighting hard for other ideas that are wrong. And it's not like the mystics can win, since they don't even agree amongst themselves, but what they can do is muddy the waters to the point that any scientist who does find irrefutable proof of the FSM or its machinations will be disbelieved.

Since he doesn't have to find every mystic for this to work, or even most of them, this may well be a lot easier than finding every skeptic.

Re: Or alternately

[zebediah]

True, but it doesn't make nearly as goofy a conspiracy theory. Remember, proffessionals, scientists, and anyone who can come up with actual reasons why you might be wrong are obviously deluded, or agents of delusion. After all, you couldn't come up with any reasons why anyone is wrong, and you're at least as clever as they are! (for various value of "you" that believe in crackpot conspiracy theories)

[topologist]

Was this question related to the 8/9 post? I still get the impression that you're referring to some very specific experience or idea.

Anyway, the situation you describe is consistent, if only for invisible-pink-unicorn reasons. It's one of those ideas that, like Last Thursdayism (the universe was created in its present state last Thursday, including memories, fossils, etc.) and the scenario in the Matrix trilogy, can't be disproven but also really aren't worth worrying about.

[zebediah]

No, it doesn't...but the Flying Spagetti Monster is still cool: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Spaghetti_Monster

Can't be disproven...

[sanityfaerie]

The interesting result of this would be that you could have people who are just on the edge: capable of logical, rational, analytical thought, who can use their experiences on the edge of reality to prove to themselves that the FSM's Plan is not fully real, but lack the ability to prove it to anyone skeptical. For real irony, they wouldn't even be able to prove it to people in large numbers without resorting to science-based trickery.

Thing is, it's different than the invisible pink unicorns theory. It can be proven - just not to you.

the Sanity Faerie

Re: Can't be disproven...

[zebediah]

Yes! Exactly. You can pay attention, see enough to consititute proof, but the moment you bring in a scientist or a lab, everything goes out the window. What you know can only be proven to other people who "don't matter" to the extablishment. It's the old conspiracy chestnut, with a twist -- it's not the establishment's fault, something else is making stooges of them, too.

[starheptagon]

You have awesome ideas.

Have you considered a career writing fiction?

[zebediah]

If I had a solid grasp of plot, I might consider it, at least at the amature level. Instead, I get to paint pretty word-poetry pictures. Ah well. Hopefully, running a tabletop RPG will help with that.

hrmm

[sanityfaerie]

If I recall correctly, the much-beloved original Dragonlance Trilogy was written off of an actual game.

Also, if you ever have problems coming up with plot (large-arc or small-arc) feel free to ask. I'll be happy to help. My problem is always in characterization and motivation.