Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Troma · 01-05-2003, 02:04 AM

Hi all.

I have what may sound like an absurd question, but it�s something that I�ve been curious about for a while. Is there such a thing as a payed skeptic? And also, can debunkerin be like a regular job? I don�t mean a 9 to 5 and 40 hours a week kind of deal, just something that can get you by.

repoman · 01-05-2003, 02:12 AM

how about applying at the skeptical enquirer

Troma · 01-05-2003, 02:23 AM

I didn't even think of that, repoman. I guess those guys get payed

Undercurrent · 01-05-2003, 11:08 AM

James Randi is a paid debunker (it's his foundation takes donations, but the foundation pays him a salary.)

And if you have a yen for debunking evolution, that pays very well.

m.

Another · 01-06-2003, 02:13 AM

If you are looking for a job here you will look a long time.

Rather, think of being a skeptic as a means of avoiding religious taxation as well as avoiding waste, fraud and abuse.

Troma · 01-06-2003, 03:21 AM

Quote:

If you are looking for a job here you will look a long time.

I guess the way I worded my first post was a bit misleading. I'm not interested in a job, I was merely curious if there was such a thing as a payed skeptic.

Writer@Large · 01-06-2003, 06:34 AM

Troma, to my knowledge all those out there who could be called "paid skeptics" (and there are a few) didn't set out to become professional skeptics, but came into the jobs by virtue of their training, their work, and their commitment to finding out the truth and exposing lies. James Randi and Penn & Teller began as magicians; Michael Shermer was (IIRC) a historian; Massimo Pigliucci is a University professor; Richard Dawkins holds a science chair at Oxford.

--W@L

NialScorva · 01-06-2003, 06:54 AM

Most good engineers that I've met have spent half their time saying "I don't think that's going to work like you think it will" to middle management and "I'd like to see some evidence that it will work like you think it will" to the new hires and interns.

Does that count?

Mr. Sammi · 01-06-2003, 07:40 AM

I think to be a payed sceptic, you have to attack the obvious and have to have a sceptical opinion about the real possibilities. The true sceptic would never tune in to reality as the others know it.

Real sceptics are hermits. It is a self-paying job. I am not even sure if real sceptics eat real food, much less accept real money.

Scepticism in the real world is just a f-in and a f-out otherwise called a big fat wopping sugary gimmick.

Sammi Na Boodie (naw, that's not food, that's my ass in a pan - fryin OR is that crying)

Marduk · 01-06-2003, 02:54 PM

"Richard Dawkins holds a science chair at Oxford. "

I'll bet his arms are tired.

01-05-2003, 02:04 AM	#1
Troma Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: USA Posts: 24	Pay? Hi all. I have what may sound like an absurd question, but it�s something that I�ve been curious about for a while. Is there such a thing as a payed skeptic? And also, can debunkerin be like a regular job? I don�t mean a 9 to 5 and 40 hours a week kind of deal, just something that can get you by.

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01-05-2003, 02:12 AM	#2
repoman Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,280	how about applying at the skeptical enquirer

01-05-2003, 02:23 AM	#3
Troma Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: USA Posts: 24	I didn't even think of that, repoman. I guess those guys get payed

01-05-2003, 11:08 AM	#4
Undercurrent Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Santa Fe, NM Posts: 2,362	James Randi is a paid debunker (it's his foundation takes donations, but the foundation pays him a salary.) And if you have a yen for debunking evolution, that pays very well. m.

01-06-2003, 02:13 AM	#5
Another Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: sicily Posts: 19	If you are looking for a job here you will look a long time. Rather, think of being a skeptic as a means of avoiding religious taxation as well as avoiding waste, fraud and abuse.

01-06-2003, 06:34 AM	#7
Writer@Large Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 7,198	Troma, to my knowledge all those out there who could be called "paid skeptics" (and there are a few) didn't set out to become professional skeptics, but came into the jobs by virtue of their training, their work, and their commitment to finding out the truth and exposing lies. James Randi and Penn & Teller began as magicians; Michael Shermer was (IIRC) a historian; Massimo Pigliucci is a University professor; Richard Dawkins holds a science chair at Oxford. --W@L

01-06-2003, 06:54 AM	#8
NialScorva Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Median strip of DC beltway Posts: 1,888	Most good engineers that I've met have spent half their time saying "I don't think that's going to work like you think it will" to middle management and "I'd like to see some evidence that it will work like you think it will" to the new hires and interns. Does that count?

01-06-2003, 07:40 AM	#9
Mr. Sammi Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Montr�al Posts: 367	I think to be a payed sceptic, you have to attack the obvious and have to have a sceptical opinion about the real possibilities. The true sceptic would never tune in to reality as the others know it. Real sceptics are hermits. It is a self-paying job. I am not even sure if real sceptics eat real food, much less accept real money. Scepticism in the real world is just a f-in and a f-out otherwise called a big fat wopping sugary gimmick. Sammi Na Boodie (naw, that's not food, that's my ass in a pan - fryin OR is that crying)

01-06-2003, 02:54 PM	#10
Marduk Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: the 10th planet Posts: 5,065	"Richard Dawkins holds a science chair at Oxford. " I'll bet his arms are tired.

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