My mother always told me "believe half of what you read and none of what you hear", so skeptical thinking was encouraged in my life. That said it is an unending quest for everyone, anyone can be plied using an emotional appeal. As humans we tend to feel first and think later, hence "let the buyer beware" this is exploited by many of us as an occupation, in retail sales and all forms of capitalism; so ingrained it is second nature because we were raised in it. Hence it is our normal.

Our culture routinely lies and exaggerates to us, priming us NOT to believe fully any claim, but rather to believe it just enough to spend that dime (its only a dime), then dimes us to death.

So it will always be a struggle, for each and every person. Hence . . .[skeptic.com]

If you do not learn to challenge it can be very expensive to you because of the fraud out there. As senior citizens we receive 10 to20 calls a day asking for money telling us the IRS is after us or our grandchildren are in prison, we won a cruise etc.

Not usually no. I like to take people at their word but it seems living in the south east has taught me to always double check. It's become a pattern. Be told something I'm not familiar with. Smile and nod and make nice. Then either dismiss it or hit the books later if it still bugs me.

When science is taught in a religious manner it is confusing to the person. Second science is not promoted in the southern schools and the midwest. The large number of students who are not receiving a proper science ed is appalling. Because of this the students do not learn to challenge what is taught to them.

I agree it's something that younger people have trouble with... Way into my twenties, I was definitely credulous, despite having figured out the god thing since childhood. Critical thinking was in my head somewhere, but a well-developed skepticism certainly wasn't.

I particularly took to stories of Government cover-ups of alien contact, and was a willing sucker for Roswell, Area 51, MJ 12 and all the other crap that was going around at the time. At that age, if I'd known about the moon landing hoax stuff, I'd have possibly even swallowed that too.

Fortunately the internet came along just as I outgrew that mindset, or down the rabbit hole I'd have gone.

I think when I'm tired, I get lazy and don't take the time to think and fact check so good. But I know others that believe stuff hook, line, etc.

Pretty much a skeptic. Oh, I've had my moments but by and large I am a pitchman's worse nightmare.

About politics, academic stuff, media etc. I am a cynical bastard. When it comes to people I am very gullible and am very easily fooled. My narcissistic sociopath-dar is way off.

I don't think so. I'm too cynical and pragmatic to just accept what anyone tells me or even shows me without a ton of research.

Nope. I'm definitely a sceptic.

I try to teach and encourage my children to think for themselves..not to be a sheep..to question everything (and they do). I give them examples and scenarios where thinking for oneself will help them progress and help with problem solving. Avoidance of naivety or gullibility associated with danger could save their lives in certain circumstances.

No, I'm not.

I was probably the most gullible untill now. I believed those ghost hunters and dark grave yards and the bible...

He, he, he, ha, he he.