Echo Chambers

In matters relating to the spiritual and/or religious beliefs ~ or the absence of such beliefs ~ what steps do posters here actively take to avoid or counteract confirmation bias, if any?

@fmf said
In matters relating to the spiritual and/or religious beliefs ~ or the absence of such beliefs ~ what steps do posters here actively take to avoid or counteract confirmation bias, if any?

By definition counteracting confirmation bias is impossible. The spirituality posts are heaving at the seems with it - you can’t avoid it. My strategy? Ignore it; it is beneath contempt in this forum, as intelligent discussion is doomed when confronted with it. Wait, is that confirmation bias?? Oh, sod it…..

@pianoman1 said
By definition counteracting confirmation bias is impossible.

I'm don't think this is true. If I watch stuff on Youtube, it's hardly ever atheists talking; it's most likely to be theists talking. In the 1990s, on my visits to the UK, the op-eds in The Guardian were probably going to reflect [back at me] views I mostly shared, but I used to read The Daily Telegraph during those summers instead.

@fmf said
In matters relating to the spiritual and/or religious beliefs ~ or the absence of such beliefs ~ what steps do posters here actively take to avoid or counteract confirmation bias, if any?

Non sequitur.

@fmf said
I'm don't think this is true. If I watch stuff on Youtube, it's hardly ever atheists talking; it's most likely to be theists talking. In the 1990s, on my visits to the UK, the op-eds in The Guardian were probably going to reflect [back at me] views I mostly shared, but I used to read The Daily Telegraph during those summers instead.

Oh, I'm sorry, my last reply should have been "Nonsensical".

My reply to THIS one is "non sequitur".

But then I don't usually participate in anything called an "echo chamber" if I can avoid it.

@suzianne said
Non sequitur.

No, it isn't. Nor is it nonsensical.

@suzianne said
Oh, I'm sorry, my last reply should have been "Nonsensical".

My reply to THIS one is "non sequitur".

I don't think you know what the word "non-sequitur" actually means.

Confirmation bias means mostly or only referring to sources or opinions that agree with you.

The two examples I gave were instances of me trying to counteract any confirmation bias I might otherwise engage in.

@fmf said
I'm don't think this is true. If I watch stuff on Youtube, it's hardly ever atheists talking; it's most likely to be theists talking. In the 1990s, on my visits to the UK, the op-eds in The Guardian were probably going to reflect [back at me] views I mostly shared, but I used to read The Daily Telegraph during those summers instead.

it's hardly ever atheists talking; it's most likely to be theists talking

Agreed. Certainly on RHP.

@pianoman1 said

it's hardly ever atheists talking; it's most likely to be theists talking

Agreed. Certainly on RHP.

Do you think only theists have that type of bias?

@kellyjay said
Do you think only theists have that type of bias?

Confirmation bias is tapped into in all parts of the public domain, whether it be politics, left and right, or religion, atheism and theism, or anything else that involves people assuming postures and subscribing to ideas.

@suzianne said
Non sequitur.

How can an OP be a non sequitur?

Within the OP where is the non sequitur?

@suzianne said
Oh, I'm sorry, my last reply should have been "Nonsensical".

My reply to THIS one is "non sequitur".

How is the OP nonsensical?

It’s a well formatted question, on forum topic and deserving of some thought.

@fmf said
In matters relating to the spiritual and/or religious beliefs ~ or the absence of such beliefs ~ what steps do posters here actively take to avoid or counteract confirmation bias, if any?

the only thing i do is self-defeating so i reverse myself and then reverse again and again
the one step i use here at the pawn is the gbaway script
only a few posters ever make the list, and if/when any poster is prolific,
several posts in a row,
or multiple posts in a thread,
i'll have to satisfy my curiosity by unblocking myself*, allowing me to absorb the (usually) vapid garbage, and then, reblocking

i do my best to read all the stuff presented, even if i cannot agree or understand why

* the gbaway script doesn't block anyone
it just prevents me from seeing the turds smeared on the page
and this is not always a good thing, i.e. 'the echo chamber', so i try to use it sparingly

@fmf said
Confirmation bias is tapped into in all parts of the public domain, whether it be politics, left and right, or religion, atheism and theism, or anything else that involves people assuming postures and subscribing to ideas.

Wow, I agree with you.