What is Skepticism, a primer for understanding reality
What is Skepticism, a primer for understanding reality
What does it mean to be skeptical? What does it mean to cast doubt on something you feel is not right, despite popular consensus? What does one refer to when judging whether or not something is real? The following is a crash course on common claims that have failed under proper scientific scrutiny. Homeopathy Reiki Magnetic Healing Applied Kinesiology Iridology Vertebral Subluxations (meaning having your back cracked by a Chiropractor) Acupuncture Chi (Pretty much every form of alternative medicine) Childhood Vaccinations Causing Autism The plausibility and existence of supernatural entities (such as ghosts, poltergeists, angels, and gods. this includes any and all gods) creationism/intelligent design, miracles and the power of prayer As well as the existence of: ESP/telekinesis Psychic Powers Telepathy Thus the Credibility of Parapsychology Any form of: Spoon Bending Tarot Card Reading Palm Reading Fortune Telling Astrology Clairvoyance Dream Premonitions Topics in crypto-zoology: Bigfoot The Loch Ness Monster Chupacabra Mothman Rod Insects Yetti Unicorns Fairys etc Alien Visitations UFOs Crop Circles Repressed Memories Dowsing Conspiracy Theories and the list goes on No one wants to be called gullible. When all else fails you must ask yourself , "how likely is the claim". "who is informing me of this claim and is their a chance they could be biased towards it". "what natural laws or scientific theories does the claim bend or completely defy in order to be possible <b>...</b>
What does it mean to be skeptical? What does it mean to cast doubt on something you feel is not right, despite popular consensus? What does one refer to when judging whether or not something is real? The following is a crash course on common claims that have failed under proper scientific scrutiny. Homeopathy Reiki Magnetic Healing Applied Kinesiology Iridology Vertebral Subluxations (meaning having your back cracked by a Chiropractor) Acupuncture Chi (Pretty much every form of alternative medicine) Childhood Vaccinations Causing Autism The plausibility and existence of supernatural entities (such as ghosts, poltergeists, angels, and gods. this includes any and all gods) creationism/intelligent design, miracles and the power of prayer As well as the existence of: ESP/telekinesis Psychic Powers Telepathy Thus the Credibility of Parapsychology Any form of: Spoon Bending Tarot Card Reading Palm Reading Fortune Telling Astrology Clairvoyance Dream Premonitions Topics in crypto-zoology: Bigfoot The Loch Ness Monster Chupacabra Mothman Rod Insects Yetti Unicorns Fairys etc Alien Visitations UFOs Crop Circles Repressed Memories Dowsing Conspiracy Theories and the list goes on No one wants to be called gullible. When all else fails you must ask yourself , "how likely is the claim". "who is informing me of this claim and is their a chance they could be biased towards it". "what natural laws or scientific theories does the claim bend or completely defy in order to be possible <b>...</b>
- Duration: 9:22
- Published: 2009-06-02
- Uploaded: 2010-11-22
- Author: TheEarthAbides
Haitians skeptical of foreign aid
Haitians skeptical of foreign aid
The divide between aid workers and quake victims is increasing in Port-au-Prince.
The divide between aid workers and quake victims is increasing in Port-au-Prince.
- Duration: 2:46
- Published: 2010-03-31
- Uploaded: 2010-09-18
- Author: AlJazeeraEnglish
Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessionals peforms @ 94.5 PST
Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessionals peforms @ 94.5 PST
Chris Carrabba performs "Stolen" @ 94.5 PST!!
Chris Carrabba performs "Stolen" @ 94.5 PST!!
- Duration: 3:42
- Published: 2007-05-16
- Uploaded: 2010-11-22
- Author: allisonpst
Michael Shermer - Be Skeptical
Michael Shermer - Be Skeptical
Watch more at www.theyoungturks.com
Watch more at www.theyoungturks.com
- Duration: 12:08
- Published: 2009-09-23
- Uploaded: 2010-11-20
- Author: TYTInterviews
Penn & Teller Greatest Skeptical Achievement
Penn & Teller Greatest Skeptical Achievement
An audience member at The Amaz!ng Meeting 6 asked Penn & Teller what they thought was their greatest skeptical achievement. After a brief pause Teller looked up and gave a surprising but good answer. For more information about The Amaz!ng Meeting visit www.amazingmeeting.com
An audience member at The Amaz!ng Meeting 6 asked Penn & Teller what they thought was their greatest skeptical achievement. After a brief pause Teller looked up and gave a surprising but good answer. For more information about The Amaz!ng Meeting visit www.amazingmeeting.com
Magician Rich Ferguson Gets Back at Skeptical TV Host!
Magician Rich Ferguson Gets Back at Skeptical TV Host!
After not believing a tricks she saw earlier, Rich Ferguson decides to do it to her too on live tv. The location of a word she is thinking of is printed on her dang arm!... under her jacket sleeve! That is the good stuff right there! Enjoy! For more about Rich Ferguson, check out www.richferguson.com
After not believing a tricks she saw earlier, Rich Ferguson decides to do it to her too on live tv. The location of a word she is thinking of is printed on her dang arm!... under her jacket sleeve! That is the good stuff right there! Enjoy! For more about Rich Ferguson, check out www.richferguson.com
- Duration: 6:52
- Published: 2006-10-20
- Uploaded: 2010-08-27
- Author: ucmagic
Jane Hamsher Skeptical Of New Healthcare Compromise
Jane Hamsher Skeptical Of New Healthcare Compromise
Vote for TYT every day at www.mashable.com (through 12/13/09) For more details visit www.TheYoungTurks.com and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com
Vote for TYT every day at www.mashable.com (through 12/13/09) For more details visit www.TheYoungTurks.com and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com
- Duration: 12:03
- Published: 2009-12-11
- Uploaded: 2010-09-24
- Author: TYTInterviews
Anderson Cooper Skeptical of Ellen's News Story
Anderson Cooper Skeptical of Ellen's News Story
Ellen K. doesn't get any backup from CNN's Anderson Cooper when Ryan doubts the validity of one of her news stories.
Ellen K. doesn't get any backup from CNN's Anderson Cooper when Ryan doubts the validity of one of her news stories.
- Duration: 1:06
- Published: 2009-05-07
- Uploaded: 2010-10-11
- Author: ryanseacrest
Improving Skeptical Thinking Skills (1/2) - The Atheist Experience #560
Improving Skeptical Thinking Skills (1/2) - The Atheist Experience #560
Chat: www.atheism-magazine.com Atheist Experience Live: www.atheism-magazine.com Improving Skeptical Thinking Skills (1/2) - The Atheist Experience #560. What is The Atheist Experience? The Atheist Experience is a weekly cable access television show in Austin, Texas, geared at an atheist and non-atheist audience. The Atheist Experience is produced by the Atheist Community of Austin (ACA), a nonprofit educational corporation to develop and support the atheist community, to provide opportunities for socializing and friendship, to promote secular viewpoints, to encourage positive atheist culture, to defend the first amendment principle of state-church separation, to oppose discrimination against atheists and to work with other organizations in pursuit of common goals. Home page: www.atheist-experience.com Blog: atheistexperience.blogspot.com The Non-Prophets Radio: www.nonprophetsradio.com Live stream: www.ustream.tv Wiki: www.ironchariots.org Atheist Eve cartoons: www.atheist-community.org Donations: www.atheist-community.org Fan club: www.facebook.com .
Chat: www.atheism-magazine.com Atheist Experience Live: www.atheism-magazine.com Improving Skeptical Thinking Skills (1/2) - The Atheist Experience #560. What is The Atheist Experience? The Atheist Experience is a weekly cable access television show in Austin, Texas, geared at an atheist and non-atheist audience. The Atheist Experience is produced by the Atheist Community of Austin (ACA), a nonprofit educational corporation to develop and support the atheist community, to provide opportunities for socializing and friendship, to promote secular viewpoints, to encourage positive atheist culture, to defend the first amendment principle of state-church separation, to oppose discrimination against atheists and to work with other organizations in pursuit of common goals. Home page: www.atheist-experience.com Blog: atheistexperience.blogspot.com The Non-Prophets Radio: www.nonprophetsradio.com Live stream: www.ustream.tv Wiki: www.ironchariots.org Atheist Eve cartoons: www.atheist-community.org Donations: www.atheist-community.org Fan club: www.facebook.com .
- Duration: 9:54
- Published: 2008-12-12
- Uploaded: 2010-11-26
- Author: FFreeThinker
Atheists... are you skeptical about EVERYTHING?
Atheists... are you skeptical about EVERYTHING?
See? I ain't just an (arguably) pretty face... I'm actually quite thoughtful... (again, arguable). Daniel Miller's article. www.examiner.com
See? I ain't just an (arguably) pretty face... I'm actually quite thoughtful... (again, arguable). Daniel Miller's article. www.examiner.com
- Duration: 3:46
- Published: 2010-03-25
- Uploaded: 2010-11-25
- Author: LatumWay
2007 JOHNNY SKEPTICAL-- SARAH POINTER!! -- SLEDS
2007 JOHNNY SKEPTICAL-- SARAH POINTER!! -- SLEDS
This is Johnny Skeptical #3 YAMAHA SLEDS 2007 -- SARAH POINTER!! --Accessories!!! www.myspace.com/yamahabunny
This is Johnny Skeptical #3 YAMAHA SLEDS 2007 -- SARAH POINTER!! --Accessories!!! www.myspace.com/yamahabunny
- Duration: 9:44
- Published: 2007-05-17
- Uploaded: 2010-08-27
- Author: POINTER84
2/2 Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Addresses Skepticism, Washington DC 1993
2/2 Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Addresses Skepticism, Washington DC 1993
www.tm.org Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is asked why there is so much skepticism about the programs of Yogic Flying and Transcendental Meditation http considering there have been more than 40 studies about groups of Flyers and over 400 studies on Transcendental Meditation. Maharishi: That is our surprise also. The people are suffering and the doctor is there, how can the doctor be asked why don't people invite you to eliminate their suffering. Only the people could be asked "why are you suffering when you have a chance to not suffer. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi began teaching Transcendental Meditation to the world in 1957 and later brought out the TM-Sidhi's including Yogic Flying to help create world peace. Many people have been skeptical about the programs while science has continually been verifying the efficacy of these programs. Maharishi says skepticism wont deter him from telling the people that they no longer have to suffer. Maharishi University of Management is a consciousness based college that Maharishi founded. www.mum.edu
www.tm.org Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is asked why there is so much skepticism about the programs of Yogic Flying and Transcendental Meditation http considering there have been more than 40 studies about groups of Flyers and over 400 studies on Transcendental Meditation. Maharishi: That is our surprise also. The people are suffering and the doctor is there, how can the doctor be asked why don't people invite you to eliminate their suffering. Only the people could be asked "why are you suffering when you have a chance to not suffer. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi began teaching Transcendental Meditation to the world in 1957 and later brought out the TM-Sidhi's including Yogic Flying to help create world peace. Many people have been skeptical about the programs while science has continually been verifying the efficacy of these programs. Maharishi says skepticism wont deter him from telling the people that they no longer have to suffer. Maharishi University of Management is a consciousness based college that Maharishi founded. www.mum.edu
- Duration: 3:51
- Published: 2009-08-14
- Uploaded: 2010-11-24
- Author: maharishichannel
On the Destructive Nature of Atheism and Skepticism
On the Destructive Nature of Atheism and Skepticism
First unscripted and mostly unedited video in a while; please forgive me. I was cleaning my '51 and a thought occurred to me as response to a common criticism, that atheism and skepticism are "easy" because it's easier to tear something down than it is to build a thing up. Well, ignoring for a moment that it requires a more or less arbitrary value judgment to call one good and the other bad, is it even a fair and honest thing to say of atheism or skepticism that they are "destructive?" Decidedly not. If there are any subjects you would like to see me treat specifically, please leave a comment on my channel page or send me a PM
First unscripted and mostly unedited video in a while; please forgive me. I was cleaning my '51 and a thought occurred to me as response to a common criticism, that atheism and skepticism are "easy" because it's easier to tear something down than it is to build a thing up. Well, ignoring for a moment that it requires a more or less arbitrary value judgment to call one good and the other bad, is it even a fair and honest thing to say of atheism or skepticism that they are "destructive?" Decidedly not. If there are any subjects you would like to see me treat specifically, please leave a comment on my channel page or send me a PM
- Duration: 5:39
- Published: 2009-09-05
- Uploaded: 2010-09-17
- Author: RobTheMonk8
Michael Jackson Shocking Vitiligo Pictures! Still Skeptical?
Michael Jackson Shocking Vitiligo Pictures! Still Skeptical?
www.ChattyTown.com *** Join 100% FREE New Chatty Website And Have Lots of FUN, Make Free Voip Phone Calls WorldWide, Video Chat, 3D City, Games, Dating, Video & Photo Sharing, Funny Postcards, Forum, Groups.. and Much More!
www.ChattyTown.com *** Join 100% FREE New Chatty Website And Have Lots of FUN, Make Free Voip Phone Calls WorldWide, Video Chat, 3D City, Games, Dating, Video & Photo Sharing, Funny Postcards, Forum, Groups.. and Much More!
- Duration: 1:31
- Published: 2009-07-16
- Uploaded: 2010-11-25
- Author: ChattyTown
Anne Rice (Former Atheist) On Skeptical Biblical Scholarship
Anne Rice (Former Atheist) On Skeptical Biblical Scholarship
A selection from the Author's Note in the back of her novel "Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt." Some of excellent scholars Rice mentions in her essay, most of whom I didn't read in this video, due to time constraints. NT Wright Craig Blomberg SGF Brandon Luke Timothy Johnson John AT Robinson Richard Buckham
A selection from the Author's Note in the back of her novel "Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt." Some of excellent scholars Rice mentions in her essay, most of whom I didn't read in this video, due to time constraints. NT Wright Craig Blomberg SGF Brandon Luke Timothy Johnson John AT Robinson Richard Buckham
- Duration: 8:43
- Published: 2010-03-31
- Uploaded: 2010-10-20
- Author: tumbleweedjoe
The Fifth agreement: Be skeptical but Listen! part 2/2
The Fifth agreement: Be skeptical but Listen! part 2/2
- Duration: 10:03
- Published: 2010-02-05
- Uploaded: 2010-11-16
- Author: liloumace
Palestinians skeptical about mideast peace talks
Palestinians skeptical about mideast peace talks
More at therealnews.com Hanadi Loubani Proposals for peace not anchored in international law Friday November 30th, 2007 Hanadi Loubani, is a writer and Middle East analyst. Her creative and critical essays are published in Fuse Magazine, Anthology of the Poetry of Arab Women in North America and the Women & War Journal. She is now a producer focusing on the Middle East for The Real News Network.
More at therealnews.com Hanadi Loubani Proposals for peace not anchored in international law Friday November 30th, 2007 Hanadi Loubani, is a writer and Middle East analyst. Her creative and critical essays are published in Fuse Magazine, Anthology of the Poetry of Arab Women in North America and the Women & War Journal. She is now a producer focusing on the Middle East for The Real News Network.
- Duration: 7:40
- Published: 2007-12-03
- Uploaded: 2010-08-27
- Author: TheRealNews
Authors@Google: Bjorn Lomborg
Authors@Google: Bjorn Lomborg
In Cool It, Bjorn Lomborg argues that many of the elaborate and expensive actions now being considered to stop global warming will cost hundreds of billions of dollars, are often based on emotional rather than strictly scientific assumptions, and may very well have little impact on the world's temperature for hundreds of years. Rather than starting with the most radical procedures, Lomborg argues that we should first focus our resources on more immediate concerns, such as fighting malaria and HIV/AIDS and assuring and maintaining a safe, fresh water supply—which can be addressed at a fraction of the cost and save millions of lives within our lifetime. He asks why the debate over climate change has stifled rational dialogue and killed meaningful dissent. Bjorn Lomborg is the author of The Skeptical Environmentalist. He was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2004 and has written for numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Economist. He is presently an adjunct professor at the Copenhagen Business School, and in 2004 he started the Copenhagen Consensus, a conference of top economists who come together to prioritize the best solutions for the world's greatest challenges. This event took place September 20, 2007 at Google Headquarters in Mountain View, CA.
In Cool It, Bjorn Lomborg argues that many of the elaborate and expensive actions now being considered to stop global warming will cost hundreds of billions of dollars, are often based on emotional rather than strictly scientific assumptions, and may very well have little impact on the world's temperature for hundreds of years. Rather than starting with the most radical procedures, Lomborg argues that we should first focus our resources on more immediate concerns, such as fighting malaria and HIV/AIDS and assuring and maintaining a safe, fresh water supply—which can be addressed at a fraction of the cost and save millions of lives within our lifetime. He asks why the debate over climate change has stifled rational dialogue and killed meaningful dissent. Bjorn Lomborg is the author of The Skeptical Environmentalist. He was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2004 and has written for numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Economist. He is presently an adjunct professor at the Copenhagen Business School, and in 2004 he started the Copenhagen Consensus, a conference of top economists who come together to prioritize the best solutions for the world's greatest challenges. This event took place September 20, 2007 at Google Headquarters in Mountain View, CA.
- Duration: 64:59
- Published: 2007-10-06
- Uploaded: 2010-11-25
- Author: AtGoogleTalks
The Personal & The Skeptical
The Personal & The Skeptical
Cats, books, television shows about mind-readers, stuff.
Cats, books, television shows about mind-readers, stuff.
- Duration: 7:54
- Published: 2009-06-07
- Uploaded: 2010-11-11
- Author: rkwatson
James Randi exposes Uri Geller and Peter Popoff
James Randi exposes Uri Geller and Peter Popoff
www.rationalresponders.com James Randi is a leader in the skeptical community who has been debunking paranormal and supernatural claims for most of his life. A magician himself James Randi is excellent at exposing the frauds that make up the paranormal and psychic communities. He offers a one million prize to anyone who can prove a paranormal claim scientifically and to this day nobody has won the money. Sylvia Browne has been ducking him for quite some time.
www.rationalresponders.com James Randi is a leader in the skeptical community who has been debunking paranormal and supernatural claims for most of his life. A magician himself James Randi is excellent at exposing the frauds that make up the paranormal and psychic communities. He offers a one million prize to anyone who can prove a paranormal claim scientifically and to this day nobody has won the money. Sylvia Browne has been ducking him for quite some time.
- Duration: 13:51
- Published: 2006-11-15
- Uploaded: 2010-11-26
- Author: RationalResponse
![A late afternoon view from the Tower of Cairo towards northeast, Cairo, Egypt. The Cairo Tower was built from 1956 to 1961, reportedly to convince a skeptical world the nation had the capability to construct the Aswan Dam.[citation needed] Designed by the Egyptian architect Naoum Chebib, the tower's partially open lattice-work design is intended to evoke a lotus plant.](http://web.archive.org./web/20101127062326im_/http://cdn.wn.com/pd/43/f7/a9abd3b2364300ae1771cdc6c2d6_grande.jpg "A late afternoon view from the Tower of Cairo towards northeast, Cairo, Egypt. The Cairo Tower was built from 1956 to 1961, reportedly to convince a skeptical world the nation had the capability to construct the Aswan Dam.[citation needed] Designed by the Egyptian architect Naoum Chebib, the tower's partially open lattice-work design is intended to evoke a lotus plant.")
![Evening view from the top of the tower of Cairo towards south, Cairo, Egypt. The Cairo Tower was built from 1956 to 1961, reportedly to convince a skeptical world the nation had the capability to construct the Aswan Dam.[citation needed] Designed by the Egyptian architect Naoum Chebib, the tower's partially open lattice-work design is intended to evoke a lotus plant.](http://web.archive.org./web/20101127062326im_/http://cdn.wn.com/pd/95/a3/2509d4465bddf7ce4ce169ab19f8_grande.jpg "Evening view from the top of the tower of Cairo towards south, Cairo, Egypt. The Cairo Tower was built from 1956 to 1961, reportedly to convince a skeptical world the nation had the capability to construct the Aswan Dam.[citation needed] Designed by the Egyptian architect Naoum Chebib, the tower's partially open lattice-work design is intended to evoke a lotus plant.")
![California Golden Beaver family on upper Los Gatos Creek. Although twentieth century naturalists were skeptical that beaver were historically extant in coastal streams or the Bay itself,[38] earlier records show that the California Golden beaver (Castor canadensis ssp](http://web.archive.org./web/20101127062326im_/http://cdn.wn.com/pd/87/41/8f1d1fc55ef4259d606c8d9d1965_grande.jpg "California Golden Beaver family on upper Los Gatos Creek. Although twentieth century naturalists were skeptical that beaver were historically extant in coastal streams or the Bay itself,[38] earlier records show that the California Golden beaver (Castor canadensis ssp")
![A late afternoon view from the Tower of Cairo towards northeast, Cairo, Egypt. The Cairo Tower was built from 1956 to 1961, reportedly to convince a skeptical world the nation had the capability to construct the Aswan Dam.[citation needed] Designed by the Egyptian architect Naoum Chebib, the tower's partially open lattice-work design is intended to evoke a lotus plant.](http://web.archive.org./web/20101127062326im_/http://cdn.wn.com/pd/43/f7/a9abd3b2364300ae1771cdc6c2d6_thumb.jpg "A late afternoon view from the Tower of Cairo towards northeast, Cairo, Egypt. The Cairo Tower was built from 1956 to 1961, reportedly to convince a skeptical world the nation had the capability to construct the Aswan Dam.[citation needed] Designed by the Egyptian architect Naoum Chebib, the tower's partially open lattice-work design is intended to evoke a lotus plant.")
![Evening view from the top of the tower of Cairo towards south, Cairo, Egypt. The Cairo Tower was built from 1956 to 1961, reportedly to convince a skeptical world the nation had the capability to construct the Aswan Dam.[citation needed] Designed by the Egyptian architect Naoum Chebib, the tower's partially open lattice-work design is intended to evoke a lotus plant.](http://web.archive.org./web/20101127062326im_/http://cdn.wn.com/pd/95/a3/2509d4465bddf7ce4ce169ab19f8_thumb.jpg "Evening view from the top of the tower of Cairo towards south, Cairo, Egypt. The Cairo Tower was built from 1956 to 1961, reportedly to convince a skeptical world the nation had the capability to construct the Aswan Dam.[citation needed] Designed by the Egyptian architect Naoum Chebib, the tower's partially open lattice-work design is intended to evoke a lotus plant.")
![California Golden Beaver family on upper Los Gatos Creek. Although twentieth century naturalists were skeptical that beaver were historically extant in coastal streams or the Bay itself,[38] earlier records show that the California Golden beaver (Castor canadensis ssp](http://web.archive.org./web/20101127062326im_/http://cdn.wn.com/pd/87/41/8f1d1fc55ef4259d606c8d9d1965_thumb.jpg "California Golden Beaver family on upper Los Gatos Creek. Although twentieth century naturalists were skeptical that beaver were historically extant in coastal streams or the Bay itself,[38] earlier records show that the California Golden beaver (Castor canadensis ssp")
