One drawback to my skepticism

And no it's not that the world is a boring place because there is no supernatural cause, nor is it because i supposedly don't have an open mind (that is patently untrue, if I am provided with evidence that conflicts with a belief I have, I will reconsider my belief). The only drawback to being a skeptic is when I read or watch something fictional, I find that on occasion I have trouble suspending some of my disbelief. For example, I just finished Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch. In the book's universe, which is a fictional one, there is talk of god and the devil and the entire story revolves around the Apocalypse. Now the wierd thing is, is I could suspend disbelief for the god and satan stuff, but not for the little bits of woo dripped throughout the book. This is not to say I didn't love the book, I have read it three times, I love Neil Gaiman, I love Terry Pratchett, and this book is funny and compelling and has a great cast of characters. Imagine if Douglas Adams rewrote The Book Of Revelation. But there was mention of ley lines as if they were real, and other things of that ilk that I found myself momentarily irked by, enough so that I would roll my eyes whenever I saw it. This isn't the only time this has happened. I can't watch the X-Files anymore because it's plots rely on so much debunked woo woo nonsense that I tend to get aggravated with the whole thing. And this seems only to happen in works of fiction that are set in a universe almost equal to the real world in mostly every way. For example Star Wars is chock full of unscientific speculation and woo, but I can still immerse myself enough in it to be able to suspend my disbelief because it is so obviously a fictional universe.

This affects some of the entertainment  decisions I make. Take Paranormal Activity. I will not see that movie. There is nothing in this world that will compel me to do so. Ghosts don't exist ergo they are not scary. So what kind of thrill can i expect from that movie? Certainly not the same thrill "true believers" get. Maybe the characters are interesting, maybe the drama isn't all cheap scare. I don't know. And maybe this is my skepticism causing me to actually be close minded. Maybe I am being a bad skeptic.

I don't know, maybe it's not so much a regret or a drawback, I can't say I miss the X-Files, though I know I really used to enjoy the show. I just wish I could let go and take off my literal pants and enjoy something even if there are psychics and ghosts and ley lines etc.

Ah fuckit, I think I will rent Paranormal Activity, after all as a self professed skeptic, I should gather my own evidence before drawing a conclusion....but it just looks so damned boring.