Darlie Routier Revisited: The Silly-String Theory (Or, Why I Still Think She’s Innocent and Why Facts Matter)
Before I revisit the specific case in question (you can read my original piece here), I find it important to emphasize why the truth matters, both in this instance and in so many others. Basically, there is a preamble here, but I think it’s important to explore those classic questions: Why do facts matter? Why should people try to be skeptical, in general, even when it comes to things they feel certain about?
A lot of it comes down to critical thinking skills, and I know I’ll sound like an elitist smarty-pants here, or like I’m on a moral high-horse. Still, just let me elaborate, okay? (If not, you can skip straight down to the section labeled “Darlie Routier Revisited.”)
Facts and Truth
When it comes to many things we didn’t experience firsthand, we end up having to trust other’s accounts of what took place. We must decide if their version of events is accurate. To complicate matters, some purely anecdotal stories actually are true, even if they could never be proven in court. Sometimes there isn’t a shred of evidence proving something happened, aside from accounts of those who absolutely experienced what took place.