Silent Solo Skeptical Activism

Brian Paavo - 13 November 2023

In the social media age the “Am I the A$@&@ole?” (AITA) post sub-genre provides a sincere ‘check-yourself’ calibration and a moment of schadenfreude. I think it originated in the Reddit dungeons, but has spread across many apps and an endless number of YouTube channels. A recent moral quandary of the AITA variety recently hit me and I thought I’d look for skeptical input.

I’d bet that almost everyone in the NZ Skeptics is ‘that person’ at work or in their family that people use to test the latest conspiracy, scam, or controversial media topic ‘they’d just heard from so and so.’ Those are golden opportunities to promote critical thinking practices and empathy following the golden rule of ‘Don’t be a dick.’ But what do we DO when no one is looking? When our petty inner demons demand action, but there’s neither time nor opportunity for real engagement. Do we remain passive?

Recently at a quiet rural campground in the wee hours of the morning I contemplated the lone acrylic brochure holder prominently placed for all campers to see. Upscale Power-balance bands were still alive and well in New Zealand. Shuzi Vibration Technology may support normal brain activity, visibly helps with blood cells and circulation for you in dress or sport situations and can even help your pets!

Of course the well-known BioMeridian testing protocols (https://corehealthmuskoka.com/biomeridian-testing/) positively demonstrated efficacy in times of stress and tension. When worn continuously, since there is a wide-variety of styles to suit every occasion, your own moving atoms power Shuzi programming to resonate at a level beneficial to our bodies. It’s therefore safe to wear in water and needs no batteries. Stock (https://www.shuzi.co.nz/) is available near the camp office where I can take a punt ($150-$389), how convenient! I don’t even have to travel to my nearest Health2000 store (https://www.health2000.co.nz/two-tone-link-bracelet) to buy them!

That quick phone-based confirmation search done, and I honestly admit I conducted no further evidence gathering, I am very confident that none of the health claims have been or could be substantiated. Before anyone else awoke, sipping my tea, having concluded 1) they are fashion accessories, 2) someone is using this as an income source, 3) these brochures cost something…I hesitantly, but irrevocably, tipped them into the soggy part of the rubbish bin.

AITA? I am costing the local distributor something by ruining marketing materials. Am I sending the message to the campground…”Don’t support this!” (if they see them in the bin) or “There’s demand! Refill quickly!” (if they don’t look in the bin)? The health claims are bogus, but am I arrogantly depriving someone of the right to a legitimate fashion buy opportunity? Am I saving someone from a frivolous impulse buy to alleviate ambiguous health concerns? Action is usually more valuable than words; is it worth writing to the campground and providing an educational opportunity? Was my stealth skeptical activism morally acceptable or was it just anti-social behaviour?

Lest you think this is a one-off, I’ve also been known to write ‘Not a Doctor’ with strikeouts across every ‘Dr.’ prefix in acupuncturist brochures at our local community health centre’s dedicated acupuncture suite (https://www.lakewanaka.co.nz/explore/the-acupuncture-room-wanaka/) while idly waiting to see a real doctor. I have put post-it references to literature reviews on community notices advertising reiki…while waiting for my fish and chips order. AITA? When no genuine educational opportunity exists, and idle time is available, are these silent, solo activism acts vandalism? Pissing in the wind? Creating a small possibility of reflection for others? I ask myself WWJD? (What Would James [Randi] Do?)

Have you ever been a silent, solo, skeptical activist?