Yap, yap, yap. Culture that knows too much

A crank is defined as a man who cannot be turned.- Nature, 8 Nov 1906

The one thing that keeps me motivated to keep learning is the knowledge that I am wrong, about something, most likely many-many things, and this bothers me. All of the things I enjoy ranting about I've probably believe at some point or another, I rant as a way of laughing at myself and how stupid my previously held opinions are in the light of better evidence. A healthy dose of irreverence is, in my opinion, one of the only guarantors against insanity. Cranks, both liberal and conservative, are notable by their complete lack of humor concerning the opinions they hold dear. To them their ideas are dead serious, true, and cannot be challenged or laughed at. 'Piety' is the enemy of free thought and reason, no idea should be above reproach.
Unfortunately we live in a society which encourages us all to be cranks and blowhards. It is not fashionable to admit you don't know the answer to a given question or situation; rather it is thought preferable to make shit up rather than plead ignorance. This bothers me greatly, not because I think I'm better than anyone else, but because I know how ignorant I really, truly am. It bothers me when other people claim to know things that they clearly don't. Being able to speak on a topic does not mean you know anything about it; a fact I try and remind myself of constantly. Its far too easy to open my yapper and spout sophistry when really the best thing to do is hold back.

I suppose a careful utilization of 'tact' is important when talking with cranks. They know they're right, without a shadow of a doubt. Think about how fervent and emotional the anti-vac movement is, the creationists, or 911 truthers. to be continued...