I've heard recently that some people actively avoid my threads because I tend to bring up somewhat controversial topics and question what is "known." The Octane debate being a good example of it. If this is true I'd really like to set things straight and get feedback from anyone who may fit this category. I'm not going to argue with your views though, everyone is entitled to their own....

I'm one of those that always likes to question the status quo, think outside the box a little. Everyone, including myself, thinks they know things because they heard it from X or Y or X and Y but sometimes that information can be half-truth or misleading or flat out wrong.

A perfect example, just the other day I was reading in Popular Science I believe that scientists were dumbfounded to find out that nobody has actually done the research to discover if everyone does infact have unique fingerprints. Holy crap, but just 2 days ago I KNEW we all did and so did all of you but suddenly that changes to a maybe.

This is my goal of sorts. At the beginning of the Octane debate many KNEW it would destroy their engine, others KNEW some fuel provided more power, even others KNEW premium was a cleaner fuel....but suddenly (ok like 2 weeks) all that changes. Even though I heard some people still disagree with Scott Cook, GM, Whipple, Your owners manual and other sources provided...to each their own I guess.

Many people hold on tight to what they've been told and refuse to accept anything else no matter what the evidence, others are more open to ideas and will examine both sides and make a decision based on the facts provided. I'm not in any debate to make you see my way, although sometimes it turns into a "YES/NO" only debate. I'm only wanting to examine the facts. If I find a fact to question what is "known" then I'd like to present it and open it to debate.

My ideal debate would be X saying "Eaton says:" and Y saying "GM Says:" Instead of filling it with "I Think/Heard/Believe ..." If that kind of debate is too 'harsh' for some then sure it may be in the best interest to avoid some of my threads.

At least I know I'm not alone in it. A popular show "MythBusters" and a popular website www.snopes.com are both ones that question what is "known" and many seem to respect their views. Take some time to browse Snopes, see if you can go through 2 pages and never once say "Wow but I thought..."

The sad thing with myths and half-truths is people can know everything yet really know nothing...I don't want to be one of those people.

If that or the discussions I bring up because of it upset you I'd like to know why.

p.*. I haven't had coffee yet today (out and I'm lazy) so if any of that doesn't make sense or trails off try to get the jist of it

We need more people in the world like you.

I know some people that question everything I do or say, and I find it very irritating. The problem is, when people question it and give their views on a certain topic, they don't back it up very well with the facts.

In this case, you do give the facts. Or at least opinions from respectable sources.

There is no problem with questioning as long as you can back it up. I see no problem with what you have said in the past.

I get that myself about me knowing trimlevles just by looking at them and I get questioned here and everywhere else about it like, "How do you know"?

I've been told i do that as well among other things. If there'* one reason i do it, is for new ideas, and innovation. This website is more for learning then putting some toys on my current car.

Some of my ideas extreme? Sure. Plenty of them dumb? Yeah. But someones gotta ask stupid questions and try stupid things. Cause every oh i dunno 1 out of 100 stupid ideas just works.

I mean c'mon civic intake being the best option for our cars?

I think its cool. Assumption'* lead no where in the long run, just makes a person feel better at the current moment. That finger print thing is kind of wild, be a little hard to get everyones finger print and match them up though. Everywhere there is a "norm" that people follow by, so like Socrates, you are simply testing these methods, but I dont think you have to fear for your life.

dude, you are the shiznit. You shed light on engines that have been in the dark for 15 years. The only thing is sometimes I don't read the whole thing you post, too long for me, and often times I get lost.


-justin

i think you are just in what you have been saying

I don't find any problems with what you post. I like to learn new things and learn a different way of looking at things. I know too well that things aren't always black & white or as they seem and you need to think outside the box. Thanks for the insight.

Like they say...."Question everything". I'm glad you and some others try to do that with cars and what should/could be done and what really is best. Granted most of it is greek to me, I can at least appreciate the fact that some people don't always take somes that'* been said before as a fact.

lol, yeah I've been told that by more than one. Sometimes I get excited about posting info so I might start out at the technical level the look at it and wonder if most people will get it. Then I go back through and add in a few "dummy" level bits..then I revamp the whole thing. By that time its dang near a page long and doesn't make a lot of sense...its also one of the reasons my average for a technical post is 45min.

Twister97 - Yeah the fingerprint bit was pretty interesting. It was actually in the latest edition of Discover magazine, I rechecked it earlier. Its got an interesting bit about controlling the brain via computer too..check it out if you're into that stuff.

Everyone - Thanks for the kind and encouraging words. I'm glad to see I'm not upsetting EVERYONE with my posts