1. JSinger on November 28, 2004 3:51 PM writes...

My impression is that there's a distinction between "skeptics", who are primarily concerned with obliterating views they consider irrational, and scientists. There is an overlap between the two groups, but most "skeptics" aren't research scientists and most scientists have little interest in a mean-spirited culture clash. Speaking for myself, years in the lab have made me far less likely to get on a soapbox about how Science and Reason make me Right and others Wrong.

The reality is that people have a sort of cognitive dissonance about things they consider fun (ghosts, astrology) or sacred (God's role in creation). I would far rather see journalists grasp basic notions of statistical significance and "educated" people understand what a half-life is than fight with people who are uncomfortable with explicitly questioning their received belief. I'd also rather see science perceived as a thing of joy and wonder (yeah, I know, I went to grad school too) than as the theology of confrontational, elitist, humorless snobs.