this post was submitted on 24 Aug 2024
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Skeptic

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A community for Scientific Skepticism:

Scientific skepticism or rational skepticism, sometimes referred to as skeptical inquiry, is a position in which one questions the veracity of claims lacking empirical evidence.

Do not confuse this with General Skepticism, Philosophical Skepticism, or Denialism.

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"A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence." -David Hume

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Looking forward to the people coming in to tell us that Adam Conover is annoying.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 months ago

He takes forever to make his point so courtesy of Kagi's summarizer:

  • The "Limitless" movie popularized the idea of taking a "magic pill" to enhance brain function, leading to increased interest in nootropics.
  • The claim that humans only use 10-20% of their brain is a myth not supported by scientific evidence.
  • Many people have tried to find real-life "Limitless" pills, leading to the rise of the r/nootropics subreddit where people experiment with unregulated supplements.
  • The term "nootropic" is vague and can refer to any substance claimed to enhance mental abilities, even if there is little evidence to support those claims.
  • Most nootropic supplements do not actually work as advertised, and some may even contain undisclosed, potentially dangerous ingredients.
  • The U.S. supplement industry is largely unregulated, allowing companies to make unsupported claims about their products.
  • Trying to "hack" your brain through supplements can become an unhealthy obsession, distracting from more effective ways to improve cognitive function.
  • True productivity and self-improvement comes from living a balanced life, not from taking magic pills.
  • Accepting one's own human limitations and imperfections is an important part of personal growth.
  • Rather than chasing unproven supplements, it's better to focus on proven methods like exercise, healthy eating, and engaging in meaningful activities.