Every now and then I see a negative reference to an idea or conversation as "just a bunch of mental masturbation." The "spirituality" of quantum phyics, solutions to theodicy, theoretical ways human consciousness might survive death -- all these interesting topics just brushed off by the more empirically minded as fondling our cereberal phallus. I've been accused of being a mental masturbator (along with just a plain-ol' masturbator) so I think I speak from experience. Mental masturbation is nothing to be ashamed of!
These left-brained folks remind me a lot of the Watchtower in their dogmatism. I'm just waiting for one of them to talk about the "dangers" of mental masturbation, or have them start a thread entitled, "Mental Masturbation -- How Can I Fight the Urge?" They make a harmless little bit of M.M. out to be some sort of sin against Jehovah, er...science.
Look: Mental masturbation is harmless and fun. And, in reality, everyone does it. You can't tell me that when one of these skeptics are in bed and can't fall asleep at night that they don't fondle their intellect and wonder if they can move their consciousness out of their body. Just admit it. Don't be ashamed! (They don't call them "hardened" skeptics for nothing!)
I'm sure when Descartes was lying on his bed looking at the ceiling people accused him of mental masturbation, if not masturbation masturbation. Look where it got him!
Spank the monkey? Ha! Spank the mind!
Bradley.....Mental Masturbator Extraordinaire