Why does someone believe ?

Question

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Answer 1

Because you already can see atleast a thousand stars at night....plus...it`s not like you can go up into space and count all of them!!! Also because people have read in books that there are millions of stars.

Answer 2

A lot has to do with the credibility of the person. I have met some people I would verify everything they told if I could and discount it if I couldn't. Other people you just tend to accept what they tell you. Certainly the ease of verifiability has something to do with it. Also the relative immediacy of what they are telling you may have a lot to do with it. If you sit in the wet paint that will make a lot more difference to you than if they are off by a billion stars.

Answer 3

I accept your answer about the stars because I don't have any idea and that sounds good to me. I can, however, check for myself if the paint is still wet or not.

Answer 4

You can't count all the stars, that's too abstract a concept. You can however reach out and feel if the paint is indeed wet. Plus people like to touch things within reach. Human nature I guess.

Answer 5

Depends how it affects you.If some one says that Bush is a war monger and also that my son is on drugs,I would be more concerned about my son than a more serious threat to world peace through Bush[name unintended and only for an example].Second aspect is ease of verifiability.Easy to check for wet paint than billions of stars.Last,the authenticity of the source ie whether trustworthy or not.

Answer 6

Same reason why you play in recitals and recite in plays.

What if I asked you, 'Would oceans be deeper without sponges?' or 'If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat?' ?

I don't believe it when people say there are four billion stars, nor the fact that paint is wet. It's just not my business.

Answer 7

Hi Lovepets-
I believe above the storm,the smallest prayer,
will still be heard.
I believe that someone,in the great somewhere,
hears every word.
ever time l hear a newborn baby cry,
or touch a leaf.
or see the sky
then I know Why?
l Believe.
Sang by Frankie Laine- The Bachelors- and Elvis.
love Jo xx

Answer 8

Well, I have a simple answer for you-- Laziness... Would take tons of research to find out how many stars are in the sky as opposed to one second to touch and feel wet paint.

I do love this question though :)

Answer 9

Well the paint could already be dry but no one really knows how many stars there is or are able to count them

Answer 10

I really don't care about exact number of stars, but my friends may be playing a joke on me about the paint!