Stephen Law

Piling Up the Anecdotes   (chapter & of my book Believing Bullshit available UK here (US amazon.com here ) [below is the original, uncorrected text]). New Scientist interview with me about the book here . An anecdote involves the recounting of a short story or episode, supposedly true, and often testimonial in nature. There’s nothing wrong with anecdotes per se —they can usefully be used to spice up a dinner party conversation, provoke a discussion or illustrate a point. I’ve told a few in my time. However, alarm bells should start ringing whenever anecdotes are supposed to provide significant evidence in support of a claim, particularly a supernatural claim. Here are a few examples: I know I’m psychic. For example, last week I was thinking about Aunt Sue, whom I hadn’t talked to for ages, when the phone rang. And it was her. Prayer clearly works. I prayed for Mark, John, Karen, and Rita and they all got better. I have no doubt that ghosts are ...

Here is an article in Daily Mail that nicely illustrates that newspaper's tendency to make ad hominem attacks. The suggestion seems to be that a rich person who is leftwing is a hypocrite. It is a standard Daily Mail smear, of course, to attack lefties for being hypocrites and champagne socialists. However, isn't someone who fights for policies that are not in their own self-interest actually demonstrating real integrity , rather than hypocrisy? And what's wrong with a rich person "disliking the rich"? I imagine we'll see an awful lot of this sort of ad hominem attack directed at Hollande , who clearly rattles the DM, which, I imagine, is fearful of someone similar gaining power over here. Of course a poor person who expresses left-wing views will be accused of "the politics of envy" (example here ) - another ad hominem. Either way, if you're a lefty, the Mail will get you with an ad hominem! Here's the start... New ...