Lifelines

While i agree with some of the observations expressed by Gordon Livingston in his article, I also feel somewhat sorry for him. It would appear that the only yardstick for testing "reality" with which he has any familiarity is the "scientific model"... to whit, if it cannot be observed and measured or if you can't experience it with any of your five physical senses then it doesn't exist. This would mark him in my estimation as a person who is emotionally bereft and spiritually bankrupt.
I feel he would greatly benefit from a more open view of the world, and life as we know it. He should try to extricate himself from the confines of the modern scientfic straight-jacket. Has he considered that a model of investigation into truth that relies solely upon the proof or otherwise of a pre-ordained hypothesis or premise can deliver only a limited understanding of all that is possible in the universe. What about all the ideas unthought of, or reject by the scientific establishment. Where is it written that they have cornered the market in relevant thinking? Considering their (often extravagant)claims to sole acces to the fountain of knowledge currently available to humanity, I feel they should be aware that many thinkers outside of their community would not even consider them particularly progressive. Those who see beyond the obvious may be "fools", but they should remember that many great thinkers were ridiculed in their own time, only to be highly esteemed later. This is particularly true of inventors.
Surely any rational person would acknowledge that there are far more wonders in this world than man can even dream of, and no particular discipline - scientific or otherwise, has a monopoly on wisdom.

I enjoyed this column immensely. I have copied it and sent it along the internets (I hope it doesn't get stuck in one of those tubes...) You are describing a LOT of people in this, and most of us are fools in some area or other. I find that those who do not reflect on their own weaknesses long enough to make a sincere effort to improve are more than eager to point their fingers at those of us who admit to our mistakes and try to learn from them. Thank you for putting into words what I have often felt.

How can i avoid myself?

I married one of these "fools".

"Fools rush in where others fear to tread" - yes, the ones you so aptly describe who will so confidently shoot their mouths off about things they know nothing or very little of. Sadly, time and age never seem to help either.