Comments on: Bachmann on her mind

By: MacTurk

MacTurk — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 14:50:56 +0000

Warren, you wrote that “What Bachmann (and many, many others) need is instruction on rational thinking – how to differentiate the nonsensical from the plausible, how to analyze evidence and data, how to reconcile contradictory claims using an evidence-based approach, how to process logic, and most importantly how to be wrong and admit to it.”

I agree totally.

However, she would then loose her job, and die under a bridge.

By: Warren

Warren — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:02:36 +0000

MacTurk, I’m not sure a course in science education (however extensive) would help. She might just end up parroting other views, with equal lack of comprehension.

What Bachmann (and many, many others) need is instruction on rational thinking – how to differentiate the nonsensical from the plausible, how to analyze evidence and data, how to reconcile contradictory claims using an evidence-based approach, how to process logic, and most importantly how to be wrong and admit to it.

While science backgrounds often provide some or all of the foregoing, it’s not a guaranteed element of a science-based education, and religion doesn’t preclude any of these traits either. Some surprisingly reality-based and logical views come from religiously-centered individuals, after all.

Of course, Bachmann is not one of those individuals.

By: Hercules Grytpype-Thynne

Hercules Grytpype-Thynne — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:20:11 +0000

So, I just take the Bible for what it is, I guess,

A compendium of iron-age myths and poetry?

By: LarianLeQuella

LarianLeQuella — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:19:00 +0000

So, she’s basically proclaiming she is an igonrant idiot? Isn’t that like announcing that water is wet?

By: Curtis

Curtis — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:46:15 +0000

Sounds like the oath Fox viewers have to take before they can start chanting “we are fair and balanced.”

By: MacTurk

MacTurk — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:49:51 +0000

Ms Bachmann says that she is “lacking in knowledge, and wisdom and understanding”. Fine, this is true, BUT this condition is curable.

I would prescribe a course of SCIENTIFIC EDUCATION.

A psychiatrist/psychologist might prescribe a course in learned humility first, but that is outside my area of professional expertise.

Chances of this happening? Sadly, I suspect zero.

By: Equisetum

Equisetum — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 07:09:20 +0000

” I don’t think I give as much credence to my own mind, because I see myself as being very limited and very flawed, and lacking in knowledge, and wisdom and understanding. ”

And yet everyone is supposed to listen to her and do what she says? This is nothing but false humility from a very arrogant idiot.

By: Erin R

Erin R — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 07:09:04 +0000

Those might be the only honest words I’ve ever heard her say.

By: Achrachno

Achrachno — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 06:17:16 +0000

Darn! She said it when “Interviewed by Todd Fiel at KKMS in 2003” — too old to be really useful. She can claim (against the evidence) to have learned something in the past 7 years, plus as “ancient history” this will not get any news coverage. Too bad.

By: Achrachno

Achrachno — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 06:11:27 +0000

Is this a fresh statement by her, or something found in the archives? Yesterday, I hope.

It’s amazing that people can know they don’t know much, but still be so sure they’re right. People who know a lot more are generally more tentative.