Comments on: On the internet no one knows you’re a computer, and further evidence that little boxes just don’t work http://UnhinderedByTalent.com/Phi/archives/2007/10/03/on-the-internet-no-one-knows-youre-a-computer-and-further-evidence-that-little-boxes-just-dont-work/ Not all battles are fought with a sword Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:40:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: cerebrocrat http://UnhinderedByTalent.com/Phi/archives/2007/10/03/on-the-internet-no-one-knows-youre-a-computer-and-further-evidence-that-little-boxes-just-dont-work/#comment-30870 cerebrocrat Wed, 17 Oct 2007 18:43:44 +0000 http://UnhinderedByTalent.com/Phi/?p=662#comment-30870 I listened to this podcast as well, and found the end part of the interview with Epstein a little troubling. He's a high-profile guy with a good scientific pedigree, who gives one no reason right off to suspect him of crankery... but crankery is exactly what some of his comments about sexuality sounded like. I went to his site and took the survey, and it does not come off as very sound behavioral research. He's making rather sweeping claims about a notoriously-difficult-to-study subject, based on a survey that does not actually collect a lot of possibly relevant information. It's notable, too, that he was involved in a controversy a few years back over having appeared to endorse "reparative" therapy for homosexuals. He's clearly a smart guy and I'm not (quite) calling him a crank, but I think caution is called for when considering his conclusions about human sexuality. I listened to this podcast as well, and found the end part of the interview with Epstein a little troubling. He’s a high-profile guy with a good scientific pedigree, who gives one no reason right off to suspect him of crankery… but crankery is exactly what some of his comments about sexuality sounded like. I went to his site and took the survey, and it does not come off as very sound behavioral research. He’s making rather sweeping claims about a notoriously-difficult-to-study subject, based on a survey that does not actually collect a lot of possibly relevant information. It’s notable, too, that he was involved in a controversy a few years back over having appeared to endorse “reparative” therapy for homosexuals.

He’s clearly a smart guy and I’m not (quite) calling him a crank, but I think caution is called for when considering his conclusions about human sexuality.

]]> By: Phi http://UnhinderedByTalent.com/Phi/archives/2007/10/03/on-the-internet-no-one-knows-youre-a-computer-and-further-evidence-that-little-boxes-just-dont-work/#comment-30794 Phi Wed, 03 Oct 2007 20:52:24 +0000 http://UnhinderedByTalent.com/Phi/?p=662#comment-30794 Glad to be of service, good sir! Glad to be of service, good sir!

]]> By: CoryQ http://UnhinderedByTalent.com/Phi/archives/2007/10/03/on-the-internet-no-one-knows-youre-a-computer-and-further-evidence-that-little-boxes-just-dont-work/#comment-30792 CoryQ Wed, 03 Oct 2007 13:30:15 +0000 http://UnhinderedByTalent.com/Phi/?p=662#comment-30792 I like reading you blog for just this kind of stuff. I never would have come across it on my own. interesting material to start my work day. Thanks! I like reading you blog for just this kind of stuff. I never would have come across it on my own. interesting material to start my work day. Thanks!

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