Think, question & inquire. Skeptic mag.

Skepticism has a long historical tradition dating back to ancient Greece, when Socrates observed: “All I know is that I know nothing.” Modern skepticism however, is embodied in the scientific method, which involves gathering data to formulate and test naturalistic explanations for natural phenomena. The key to skepticism is to continuously and vigorously apply the methods of science to navigate the treacherous straits between “know nothing” skepticism and “anything goes” credulity.

Scientific skepticism (also spelled skepticism) is the practice of questioning whether claims are supported by empirical research and have reproducibility, as part of a methodological norm pursuing "the extension of certified knowledge". Scientific skepticism is different from philosophical skepticism, which questions our ability to claim any knowledge about the nature of the world and how we perceive it. Scientific skepticism primarily uses deductive arguments to evaluate claims which lack a suitable evidential basis. ^[1]

Skeptic is a quarterly science education and science advocacy magazine published internationally by The Skeptics Society, a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting scientific skepticism and resisting the spread of pseudoscience, superstition, and irrational beliefs.[2] Founded by Michael Shermer, founder of the Skeptics Society,[3] the magazine was first published in the spring of 1992 and is published through Millennium Press. Skeptic has an international circulation with over 50,000 subscriptions and is on major newsstands in the U.S. and Canada as well as Europe, Australia, and other countries. ^[2]

I thoroughly enjoyed, a long video publication featured on the site, titled "Ancient Aliens debunked", which in a straightforward fashion contradicts many of the claims of the aliens-that-have-visited-earth-numerous-times advocates, on whose views and proposed evidence a whole History Channel series was based upon. Links for the video can be found here and here.

Should you wish to explore more on the matter of scepticism, I would suggest the Sceptic Magazine (UK), or the FreeThinker (UK). For a concise source for urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation, try Snopes.com.

In general terms, as we are increasingly hammered by views and revelations, of all different sorts, that require our belief, time or money, we have to stand skeptical or critical to say the least. So I urge you to think, question and inquire, before you actually believe. Don't blindly believe, no matter how tired or desperate you may feel.

Of course you cannot question and inquire about everything. It is counter-productive and sure takes a lot of time. For most of cases most scholars suggest using this thing called "common sense". That, needless to say, implies that there is sense in someone, before that sense being common, and actually put into use.

^[1] Ref. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_skepticism

^[2] Ref. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeptic_(U.S._magazine)