Thread: Why are so many alt.medders "block happy" ?

Following a recent exchange with our resident UK trained Osteo, Lighty, I have been blocked.

Lighty and I were discussing CST. I pointed out the lack of evidence base and presented data; which of course he rejected. He then went on to say it is up to us skeptics to prove CST is bunk (*facepalms*)

After explaining the scientific method to him, Lighty said (and I quote), "there is nothing more to say and I have already made that clear. Don't send me anymore messages or I will block you.
Please continue to use the public forum if you have anything else to say on any matter."

A tad hypocritical given the last question I posted aimed at him received criticism from him and his pal Theresa for calling him out publicly.

Is it akin to someone putting their fingers in their ears and saying lalalalalalala? Are their views so weak that it cannot tolerate scrutiny? Are they afraid of something, perhaps? Maybe having to face reality?

On a side note, the very fact Lighty wants a public debate shows how little he understands science. Science is not decided by public debates. It is decided by evidence. We don't debate cranks. It gives them credence they are not worthy of.

Your views please...

I block no one, everyone is free to answer, including the alties.
My Qs and As are set to private, however you are more than welcome to add me to your contacts which will enable to you view my Qs and As. The recent exchange I am referring to was via email- all emails are available upon request.

I gave up trying to rationalise their actions. They are not rational people.

Having convictions questioned and the dissonance it creates is a mentally painful proposition for those holding an indefensible position.

I am not sure what conversation your are referring to. I cannot find your question history it is blocked. I thought it would be fair to read that first. although I personally don't agree with anyone blocking anyone, her or other social networks. unless of course something truly horrendous happened.

In defense of alternative medicine, this one response so far calling all "not rational" is a bit much, in my opinion. then again, alternative medicine is not exactly practiced on a rational basis, this is why it is absract, but it works. I am not personally a practitioner, but I have several professionals I see, as well as read lot, and have learned alot, and have been helped by various modilities. I can only generalize since I am not privy to the original conversation, except to say that no matter, I do agree blocking is not a good idea.

Pointing out facts to alt medders will not make any difference, because intuition inspires confidence. And if evidence against their perception is too overwhelming (as we for instance witnessed in a thread we both participated in recently), they resort to denial of having had this idea.

Having beliefs challenged with demonstrable facts can feel very stressful to a confident mind. The electronic version of the defense mechanism of - as you put it - "putting their fingers in their ears and saying lalalalalalala" is blocking.

ETA:
[but it works. I am not personally a practitioner, but I have several professionals I see, as well as read lot, and have learned alot, and have been helped by various modilities.]

These "It works for me" stories are strong convincers - no doubts about that.

it is difficult overcome the cognitive processes which lead to certainty with which the future is predicted - "had I not taken X, the result would have had to be Z instead of Y".

When randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials became the golden standard in medical research, we discovered that we really suck at such predictions. Y happened regardless of whether we took X and Z happened much less than we expected (certainly less than the 100% "anecdotal evidence" demands).