I already did do a lot besides complain in this thread. Take #44 for example.

Here is a slight rewrite of it, structured as a (simple and not meant to be thorough) critical analysis of The Existence of the Cyclist-Inferiority Phobia, the piece originally cited in the OP of this thread as being debunked.


In The Existence of the Cyclist-Inferiority Phobia, John Forester attempts to show that the cyclist-inferiority phobia exists. The meaning of Cyclist-Inferiority Phobia is implied in the first paragraph as being an overexaggeration of the fear of motor traffic from behind. The purpose of the paper is to show that this phobia exists.

In order to show that the phobia exists, Forester chooses to explain how Simple Phobia is defined and assessed in the DSM, and how the fear of motor traffic from behind fits the criteria. He cites the diagnostic criteria for Simple Phobia, and for each criterium, explains why he believes it applies to many of those who fear motor traffic from behind. For example:

B: During some phase of the disturbance, exposure to the specific phobic stimulus (or stimuli) almost invariably provokes an immediate anxiety response.
...
Consider Diagnostic Criterion B:

Does exposure to motor traffic from behind, while riding a bicycle, almost invariably provoke an immediate anxiety response. Certainly it does, and even contemplating the exposure of others to the stimulus causes anxiety response, as when people organize political committees to obtain protection from the condition that they fear.

For the key assertion, "Certainly it [exposure to motor traffic from behind] does [almost invariably provoke an immediate anxiety response]", there is no explanation for how he knows it to be true, or even how the anxiety manifests itself. Apparently, he thinks it's so obvious that exposure to motor traffic from behind provokes anxiety that it is self-evident, and not requiring any further explanation or evidence.

The piece would be improved, and more compelling and persuasive, if Forester explained this in more detail.