Dr. Fetzer On YouTube

Previous: Choosing Between Conflicting Hypotheses

Dr. James Fetzer

During the past few years, I've been watching some of Dr. Fetzer's YouTube podcasts, in which he interviews a variety of people (usually independent researchers) on a range of topics (usually with political implications).

These podcasts require considerable patience. Sometimes the sound is so poor that it's difficult to make out what's being said. And sometimes the image is no better than the sound. But there is usually more to appreciate than there is to complain about.

In particular, I've been impressed with Dr. Fetzer's style of questioning. He may be loud, fast, and assertive, but unlike many other interviewers who share the same characteristics, he doesn't pretend to know more than his guests.

If a guest contradicts a position Dr. Fetzer has taken, the guest doesn't just get shouted down and told to shut up. Typically, Dr. Fetzer will indicate his disagreement, offer a counter-indication or two, and allow the guest to respond.

If the guest doesn't retreat immediately, but defends his initial statement, Dr. Fetzer will ask more questions -- not trying to put the guest on the defensive, but trying to draw out more information.

He gets curious, and that makes me curious.

Dr. Fetzer has strong opinions, and he presents them forcefully, but he's not adverse to changing them, and he will do so if he sees sufficiently strong evidence. In the battle between conflicting hypotheses, Dr. Fetzer likes V.

I don't always agree with him, but I find plenty to admire about his work, and about his way of working.

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