I recently had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Jim “Dr. Dim” Fitzsimons. One of the things I enjoy most about being a part of the burgeoning skeptical movement is making new friends and acquaintances, regardless of whether they are real friends or “Facebook Friends.” Having like minded folks out there is a comfort no matter who you are or what you think.
Jim touched base after seeing this website and we got to e-mailing. Turns out, we’re both regular working joes just finding outlets for expressing our thoughts and opinions about skepticism, reality, and in my case boobs (though I imagine Jim’s a fan as well). There are two major differences however. In my case, I write this blog. This means that I can write, edit, rewrite, re-edit, and so on until I arrive at something that is approximately intelligible and makes the point I want to make.
Jim doesn’t write, he talks. He has a live radio show that goes out to the world every Saturday night at approximately the same time that I’m slipping into the deepest recesses of REM sleep just as my 9 year old nudges me and asks if it’s okay to get a a glass of water. Oh, Jim draws too. He’s a cartoonist in addition to a radio show host and a “guy with a real job too.”
The other big difference? Jim’s a skeptical radio show host on a radio station full of paranormal, supernatural type shows. He’s basically the sole voice of reason in a sea of woo woo. That takes stones.
I’m under no serious delusions that someone will be a firm believer in fill in your silly belief of choice here, and will find my site, see the light, and convert thereby setting off a chain reaction of rationalism throughout the world overnight. If you’re reading this, I have calculated that there’s a 97.624% chance that you’re a skeptic too. Jim ain’t preaching to the choir. He’s talking to the folks that are not reading this column.
So, just curious... How many of you spend time actually talking to supernatural believers in a serious way? What approach has helped you break down barriers? I think we can all agree that preaching to the choir isn’t as productive as we’d all hope. In addition, calling someone an ignoramus tends to alienate as well. What’s the balance? How can we open eyes, ears and minds to the realities of the world? I don’t know the answer, but I do know this. Guys like Jim are out there trying to find that answer. Are you?
