Comments on: The Struggle With Skepticism

By: Doug Granzow

Doug Granzow — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 01:08:53 +0000

Rob, your skepticism is what drew me to this blog, and as I subscriber to your new blog, I am looking forward to more of the same in the future.

Maybe the problem here is a marketing one? I think that embracing your skepticism and promoting that as a reason for people to read your blog could be a very successful strategy. I think that “Businesspundit” implies basically the opposite of skepticism, so I can see where you might have felt pressure to be something you are not.

You have never met me and how no idea who I am, but we have a lot in common in terms of mindset. That is why I subscribed to your blog, and that is why I have it the top of my reading list.

Keep up the good work, and stay true to yourself.

By: Anthony Kuhn

Anthony Kuhn — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 21:25:02 +0000

Rob:

Another well-thought out piece and again, the personal details are what make it pop. I also often find myself in the position of some English parlimentarian who is shouted down and booed when voicing unpopular and potentially skeptical ideas. Nice to know there are others out there who have learned (or are learning?) to be more circumspect on when and to whome they reveal their thoughts.

By: laurence haughton

laurence haughton — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:00:12 +0000

The proverb says “the honest man is chased from ten villages.” It was true then and it’s true now.

By: Andy Swan

Andy Swan — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:30:21 +0000

I think you’re wrong.

By: Lord

Lord — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:50:23 +0000

The tough thing is while no is usually the right answer, it is the question that is usually wrong. One has to search for the correct question which can be answered affirmatively. Entrepreneurs often end up stumbling over it when they pursue their misguided objectives, which is why yes can be correct even when it is wrong.

By: Mike DeWitt

Mike DeWitt — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:08:44 +0000

Rob,

I think Austin nailed it. Since you won the question “Wall Street wants to know…”, they obviously need you!

Mike

By: Chris Songer

Chris Songer — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:29:44 +0000

I think that you miss the point with your comment that “people like positive people.” While that may be true; it’s tangential. The important point is that nothing happens if people always say no. It’s the person who says yes who gets things done; and generally they are saying yes in the face of nay-sayers.

I further assert that the final score in life is not how many times someone was “correct” but rather how much they accomplished. In the end, it’s not about being “right”. It’s about making things happen. I’d rather be right on a “yes, lets do it” 1 time out of 10 than right on a “no, lets not do it” 9 of 10 times.

Now that’s not to say that every idea is a good idea or that there is not a place for healthy skepticism. But it is to say that a skeptical mindset can really get in the way of accomplishing things.

As a final comment, my personal advice to everyone is to know your bent and then “go for the no.” That is, if you are naturally a “no” person, you should consciously spend time looking for the “yes” reasons. If you are naturally a “yes” person, spend time looking for the “no.”

By: Nick Huhn

Nick Huhn — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 05:24:58 +0000

Your skepticism is probably best characterized as “critical thinking” in other circles, a unique and immutable skill that has and will continue to bring you success. Keep it up.

By: Austin

Austin — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 03:54:33 +0000

Skeptics who go against the popular theories and are right belong in financial markets. Go work for a hedge fund. Be a trader. If skepticism is that much of you, the entrepreneurial route may not be enough to satisfy.