My reaction to the article was something like "yes, this all sounds plausible, but fireplaces are so awesome that I think they might be worth it anyway. Can you give me data on exactly how bad fireplaces are, so I can weigh their awesomeness against my decreased expected health, especially if I enjoy them in moderation?"
Also, this is an unfair test, since Sam is priming us to be aware of our emotions and override them with rationality.
Can you give me data on exactly how bad fireplaces are, so I can weigh their awesomeness against my decreased expected health
I have this niggling feeling that, were you to receive such unrealistic exact numbers, regardless of what they were you would say "Yup. Fireplaces are more awesome than that. I will continue to act exactly as before."
Sam Harris, in his recent article called The Fireplace Delusion, tries to make you feel what it's like to react to a cached belief being irreparably destroyed. Just incase you forgot what your apostasy (if you had one, of course) was like in its early stages.
What are some of the Fireplace Delusions you've come across in your days?
EDIT: WOODSMOKE HEALTH EFFECTS