Like a war hero who becomes an anti-war activist, this turnaround is both curious and inspiring. His story underscores complexity of concept of belief and our need to hold on to some form of validation.

Shermer is publisher of Skeptic Magazine. He is quick to point out that what many people think of as skepticism is really cynicism. Being skeptical has nothing to do with being a grumpy curmudgeon who discounts any idea that disrupts his world view. It is less a position and more an approach using science and reason.

Skeptics are open to looking into anything and everything, but are reluctant to latch on to theories without sufficient evidence to back them up. Skeptics don't sit around trashing ideas of others--that would be a waste of thinking time. Instead, they luxuriate in opportunity to further explore interesting notions.

The motto of Skeptics Society and Skeptic Magazine is a statement made by 17th-century Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza: "I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail, not to scorn human actions, but to understand them."

This is a fabulous approach to life, even though it may require more patience than most of us can muster. If we can't count on any absolute truths and we don't want to get bogged down by muddy thinking of relativism, we've got to do our best to establish what Shermer calls "provisional" truths. He uses word "provisional" a lot to refer to those pretty good truths and almost universal ideas we tend to think of as fairly consistent. Is infanticide bad? Yes, almost always. There could be, in some cultures and in some specific circumstances, ethical reasons to justify infanticide, but we recognize that those are few and far between. Provisional ethics allows for continued discussion and exploration in a way that a black and white view never will.

Starting a car is easy. Put key in, turn it, and car starts. Would it not be great if starting a conversation was this easy? It can be--if you know how!

Unfortunately, many people don't know how. They struggle with starting conversations. If they do break silence, conversation sputters and dies.

This leads to boring parties, embarrassing silences, lack of friends and social skills. Not being able to easily start a conversation hinders business success and enjoyment in life. Do you know what I am talking about?

Starting a conversation can be as easy as starting a car. The reason you can quickly start a car is because you know two steps:

Step 1: Put key in ignition Step 2: Turn key

These two steps work every time with virtually any car. So also there is a 2-step method for starting conversations. It will enable you to start conversation anywhere, anytime, with virtually anyone.

Here is 2-step method for starting conversation:

Step 1: Break silence Step 2: Ask a good question

Simple is it not? Don't let simplicity of 2-step method fool you. It works! I have used 2-step method with total strangers, friends, businessman, and even shy people with great success. Let me explain more.

1. Break silence