New Law in California

[Umbran]

I think Jim Carrey has a point. He was vaccinated, and he is obviously suffering some kind of brain damage.

Nope. Normal human working brain. It isn't that Carrey is stupid, or damaged. It is that his brain is stuck in a rut. We are, *all* of us, subject to the kinds of cognitive biases that lead to positions like his. If we rifled through all the things each of us thinks is correct, we'd find something that isn't really justified, but we won't budge on. It just so happens that Carrey's is something that matters, and intersects with public health and current events. And he happens to be famous, so we hear about it.

If you are famous, or powerful, you need ought to have solid backing of your arguments before you open your mouth. "I believe," "it is known," and, "Conspiracy!" are not good enough.

 

[Janx]

More on point, there are parents in jail today, being held responsible for substituting prayer for medical treatment of their sick chilfpdren.

that my be a function of the "your right to flail your arms about end at my nose" principle.

The parents choice to withhold medical treatment from a child is the parents religious flailing whacking a child in the face.

 

[Janx]

Nope. Normal human working brain. It isn't that Carrey is stupid, or damaged. It is that his brain is stuck in a rut. We are, *all* of us, subject to the kinds of cognitive biases that lead to positions like his. If we rifled through all the things each of us thinks is correct, we'd find something that isn't really justified, but we won't budge on. It just so happens that Carrey's is something that matters, and intersects with public health and current events. And he happens to be famous, so we hear about it.

If you are famous, or powerful, you need ought to have solid backing of your arguments before you open your mouth. "I believe," "it is known," and, "Conspiracy!" are not good enough.

That's a reasonable assessment.

I recall some advise to "always be wary of anybody with a strong opinion"

The basic premise is those kind of people have stopped listening. And at the extreme ends, they are extremists.

 

[Umbran]

that my be a function of the "your right to flail your arms about end at my nose" principle.

The parents choice to withhold medical treatment from a child is the parents religious flailing whacking a child in the face.

Yah. And vaccination is medical treatment.

 

[tomBitonti]

Today's Diane Rehm show (the 10am show) is about vaccination:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2015-07-02/the-push-to-mandate-vaccines-for-schoolchildren

Thx!

TomB

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

chilfpdren

GAK- what a typo! Damn you AutoCorrect, where were you THEN?

that my be a function of the "your right to flail your arms about end at my nose" principle.

The parents choice to withhold medical treatment from a child is the parents religious flailing whacking a child in the face.

Yah.  And vaccination is medical treatment.

BUT- and this is crucial in the eyes of the law- the threat of harm to the child is speculative, not imminent.  Those who wind up in jail and/or having their decision overruled are usually withholding something like cancer treatment or surgery from a child who is extremely ill or even otherwise terminal.

In contrast, an unvaccinated person may never fall ill from nor be exposed to the pathogen protected against by the vaccine.

Different threat level, different legal standard.

 

[Homicidal_Squirrel]

Nope. Normal human working brain. It isn't that Carrey is stupid, or damaged. It is that his brain is stuck in a rut. We are, *all* of us, subject to the kinds of cognitive biases that lead to positions like his. If we rifled through all the things each of us thinks is correct, we'd find something that isn't really justified, but we won't budge on. It just so happens that Carrey's is something that matters, and intersects with public health and current events. And he happens to be famous, so we hear about it.

If you are famous, or powerful, you need ought to have solid backing of your arguments before you open your mouth. "I believe," "it is known," and, "Conspiracy!" are not good enough Ha! That was a very funny and obvious joke, HS. Thanks for the laugh

You're welcome, Umbran. I'm glad you were able to spot the joke easily.

 

[Umbran]

You're welcome, Umbran. I'm glad you were able to spot the joke easily.

It would have helped if it were actually funny.

Seriously, though - I know you were trying to be funny. But, I find the repeated meme that those who hold such positions are stupid or brain damaged is part of the problem. That stereotype gets in the way of meaningful communication on the topic. If we are to make the world a better place, we must understand, rather than dismiss, those who are in the way.

Moreover, while we are allowed to discuss these topics, EN World civility rules still apply - and suggesting, "those who hold this idea are brain-damaged" is not civil.

 

[miniaturehoarder]

Moreover, while we are allowed to discuss these topics, EN World civility rules still apply - and suggesting, "those who hold this idea are brain-damaged" is not civil.

So are the mods actually going to come down on this? It seems posts that fit that criteria are still extant upthread.

 

[Umbran]

So are the mods actually going to come down on this? It seems posts that fit that criteria are still extant upthread.

If you have a question about moderation, please take it to e-mail or PM with a moderator. Thanks.