Originally posted by Michael12
Of course, making our judgments doesn't in itself actually bear upon, or prove, the truth of a matter.
Fine. A person certainly has the right to believe whatever they want. You can believe in the Easter Bunny or leprechauns or whatever. However, when
you want to try to convince others, then you need to present evidence and proof that the other person will accept.
So maybe you can explain for us exactly which specific piece or pieces of evidence was/were enough to convince you that Meier's story is acceptable
as true to you. Or is it just enough for you that he "seems like an honest guy," or "the story rings true?" If you're just convinced by a
story, that at least allows us to know where you're coming from, and how much value we can give your opinions.
Of course, your bail out of this challenge is to simply claim that our standards of proof are unrealistically high, or that we are so prejudiced that
we'll never accept anything as proof, so you're not even going to bother.
The opposing argument to that is that you're gullible, and will accept extremely poor evidence as proof. Not that you're a bad person. It's just
that you have poor reasoning skills. Which you will deny, because of your poor reasoning skills.
Juries have anywhere from 8 to 12 people to help reach a consensus as to the quality of the evidence and the level of proof required. But we're not
a court or a jury. We're just a bunch of oddballs on an Internet forum. So we're never going to come to a mutually agreed-upon "answer" to the
question.
All I can add is that I suggest each person evaluate the evidence honestly, while trying to be aware of their own prejudices, preconceptions and
desires. At this point, nobody's life is at stake, so whatever you choose to think is not going to make a lot of difference in the price of Peruvian
tin. You really don't have to make a choice or "decision" at all. You can just say, "I don't know," and wait for more evidence to show up, if
that's what you want.
Other than that, I personally wouldn't suggest moving to Meier's Swiss compound, giving him any money at all, or putting on the Nikes and sampling
the Kool-Aid.
But, hey. You're going to do what you want anyway, regardless what I say. Which is fine, 'cause I'm not your mommy, and at the very bottom line,
I don't care.