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the current issue of Skeptic magazine
Climate Change Q&A
TOPICS IN THIS ISSUE INCLUDE: How We Know Global Warming is Real and Human Caused; Special Section on Perception Self-Deception; Special Section on Evidence-Based Medicine; A Historical and Physiological Perspective on a World War II Aviation Mystery; Talking to the Dead: An Empirical Study on the Psychological Aspects of Interpreting Electronic Voice Phenomena; Sleep Paralysis; Energy Medicine and Fantasy Physics; Depression Treatment, and more…
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created by Junior Skeptic Editor Daniel Loxton.
the baloney detection kit
our podcasts
Skepticality— the official podcast of Skeptic magazine
Skepticality — the pioneering original skeptics podcast — is a top-rated audio talk show dedicated to skeptical topics and interviews.
MonsterTalk— presented by Skeptic magazine
MonsterTalk critically examines the science behind cryptozoological (and legendary) creatures, such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, or werewolves.
upcoming lecture at Caltech
Secrets of Mental Math: The Mathemagician’s Guide to Lightning Calculation and Amazing Math Tricks
lecture by Dr. Art Benjamin
Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 2 pm
Baxter Lecture Hall
TEACHERS AND PARENTS, BRING YOUR STUDENTS AND KIDS to see the famous lightning calculator and mathemagician Art Benjamin demonstrate simple math secrets and tricks that will forever change how you look at the world of numbers. Get ready to amaze your friends—and yourself—with incredible calculations you never thought you could master, and learn how to do math in your head faster than you ever thought possible, dramatically improve your memory for numbers, and—maybe for the first time—make mathematics fun. Dr. Benjamin will teach you how to quickly multiply and divide triple digits, compute with fractions, and determine squares, cubes, and roots without blinking an eye. No matter what your age or current math ability, Dr. Benjamin will teach you how to perform fantastic feats of the mind effortlessly. This is the math they never taught you in school.
latest additions to SkepticBlog
SkepticBlog is a collaboration between eight of the most recognized names in the promotion of science, critical thinking & skepticism. It features the cast & producers of The Skeptologists, a pilot skeptical reality show.
We’re All a Little Nuts
Anyone who’s done a significant amount of research on their own into various tales of the paranormal and the pseudoscientific knows that the ...
“I saw it with my own eyes”
Many paranormal events, from Bigfoot sightings to UFOs to ghosts, are based entirely on eyewitness accounts and human perception. How reliable is ...
Sleep and Weight
Recent evidence suggests there is a link between sleep quality and weight control – poor sleep correlates with risk of obesity. The possible ...
skepticism 101
The Power of Belief
In this 14-minute introduction to skepticism, Dr. Michael Shermer (Executive Director of the Skeptics Society) discusses why people believe weird things and elaborates on the power of belief systems. This lecture was delivered at the 2006 TED conference (Technology, Entertainment, Design) in Monterey, California.
free music downloads
Skeptics Mix Tape 2009
Think the best skepticism is the kind you can rock to? We’re pleased to offer you this selection of songs of science and skepticism — completely free! Download these MP3 files for non-commercial use at home or in your classroom.
Science Education ≠ Skepticism
Science Education is
No Guarantee of Skepticism
Despite the best efforts of skeptics and teachers to advance scientific thinking, paranormal beliefs and pseudoscientific thinking continue to be commonplace. It is a common popular stereotype that knowledge of science and belief in the paranormal are like opposite ends of a teeter totter: with one tending to rise as the other falls. However, the landscape of belief is considerably more complicated than that. Science education may not be enough when we lack the ability to critically evaluate the evidence for claims. In this article from Skeptic 9.3 we examine the relationship between science knowledge and paranormal beliefs.
current issue of
Junior Skeptic
The Mighty Moa!
In this issue, we’ll learn the story of the flightless moa birds of New Zealand who were among the largest birds ever to exist! They evolved striking similarities to other animals from other times and places, before vanishing from the Earth. But if moas are extinct, why are they (according to claims) still spotted alive in the wild?
Let’s find out!
geology tours
Led by paleontologist/geologist Dr. Donald R. Prothero, our often multi-day excursions tour some of the best geologic wonders in the United States. Visit some of the richest dinosaur-bearing deposits in the world, and collect amazing trilobites. Decipher the geologic story behind the amazing scenery at Zion, Bryce, and Capitol Reef National Parks, Death Valley, Kelso Dunes, the Great Basin, Redrock Canyon and more.
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from the Doubtful Newsblog
The Doubtful Newsblog presents timely paranormal and pseudoscience news for skeptics (because people really believe this stuff). The content is produced by Sharon Hill & Torkel Ødegård. Got a timely news story to add? Send it in! Here are today’s top news stories that deserve a little skeptical attention:
Students REALLY get into hypnotism demonstration in Canada
Emergency hypnotist called in to undo damage after Sherbrooke school show. A Quebec all-girls high school said the activity went awry as numerous ...
A second study in Le Roy shows no toxins to explain mystery illness
New study finds no toxins in Le Roy. A second study has again found that the twitches, involuntary sounds and seizures that beset a group of Le Roy ...
Shadowy photo called “baby ghost” in Cheltenham
‘Baby’ ghost caught on camera in Cheltenham A GHOSTLY figure has been captured on camera in a Cheltenham house. The small figure – ...
Shermer on YouTube
this week’s eSkeptic
One Nation, Another Religion?
In this week’s eSkeptic, Rachel Pridgen reviews two books: Nonbeliever Nation: The Rise of Secular Americans by David Niose (Palgrave/Macmillan, 2012, ISBN 13: 978-0-230-33895-1) and Religion for Atheists: A Non-believer’s Guide to the Uses of Religion by Alain de Botton (Pantheon, 2012, ISBN 13: 978-0-307-37910-8).
last week’s eSkeptic
Deepak’s Dangerous Dogmas
In last week’s eSkeptic, we present a gem from one of the early issues of Skeptic magazine in which Phil Molé examines some of the teachings and philosophy of Deepak Chopra, and reminds us of the power of science to enlighten. This article appeared in Skeptic magazine volume 6, number 2 (1998).
global warming
How We Know Global Warming is Real and Human Caused
Donald R. Prothero addresses climate change denialism head on, demolishing deniers’ arguments and rebuttals, and clearly demonstrating how we know global warming is real and human caused.
Facts About 9/11
9/11 and the Science of Controlled Demolitions
Is there any scientific validity to the claims of 9/11 controlled demolition conspiracists about the collapse of the World Trade Center buildings? This Sunday marks the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center Buildings. 9/11 conspiracists such as Richard Gage (a member of the American Institute of Architects and founder of Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth) continue to assert that WTC7 was brought down by controlled demolition. In this eSkeptic, we present Chris Mohr’s thorough analysis of the controlled demolition theory, based on his debate with Richard Gage earlier this year.
latest additions to
the reading room
The Moral Arc of Reason Reason Rally, March 24, 2012, Washington D.C.
Michael Shermer's speech given at the Reason Rally in Washington, D.C. on March 24, 2012: the world's largest gathering of skeptics, atheists, humanists, nonbelievers, and “nones” (those who tick the “no religion” box on surveys).
As pessoas gostam de ser enganadas
This interview with Michael Shermer appeared in the magazine ÉPOCA in January 2012. The following is in Portuguese. An English translation will be posted soon.
My Dinner (and Drinks) with Christopher (Hitchens that is)
An essay tribute by Michael Shermer, written upon hearing of Hitchens’ cancer diagnosis in 2010.
Fix Wikipedia
Make the People’s Encyclopedia a Science-Based Resource
Daniel Loxton, Editor of Junior Skeptic (and the organizer behind What Do I Do Next? 105 Practical Ways to Promote Skepticism and Advance Science) addresses the importance of Wikipedia. Find out how grassroots skeptics can help ensure that Wikipedia is a science-based public resource.
Science Symposium 2011
Missed the 2011 Science Symposium? Get it on DVD!
Dr. Michael Shermer presented his “greatest hits” from 20 years of adventures in science and pseudoscience, skepticism and critical thinking.
Topics included: science and pseudoscience • the psychology and neuroscience of belief • evolution and intelligent design • science and religion • the evolutionary origins of morality • how to be good without God • the Baloney Detection Kit • how beliefs can be changed • how to get people to stop believing weird things.
The event also featured special appearances and presentations by James “The Amazing” Randi, Bill Nye the Science Guy, and a unique appearance of Mr. Deity who at long last answered Stephen Hawking’s question of why the universe goes to all the bother of existing.
debate with Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra
v. Michael Shermer:
The Afterlife
Deepak and Shermer debate the question of life after death.
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FREE PDF Download
Top 10 Myths About Evolution (and how we know it really happened)
This concise pamphlet provides answers to common objections to evolution, such as: If humans came from apes, why aren’t apes evolving into humans?; Only an intelligent designer could have made something as complex as an eye; The second law of thermo-dynamics proves that evolution is impossible; Evolution can’t account for morality; and more…
FREE PDF Download
Top 10 Things You Should Know About Alternative Medicine
Harriet Hall, MD (aka the SkepDoc), shares her wit and wisdom about alternative medicine including: chiropractic, the placebo effect, homeopathy, acupuncture, and the questionable benefits of organic food, detoxification, and ‘natural’ remedies.
FREE PDF Download
Learn to be a Psychic in 10
Easy Lessons
Psychic readings and fortunetelling are an ancient art — a combination of acting and psychological manipulation. While some psychics are known to cheat and acquire information ahead of time, these ten tips focus on what is known as “cold reading” — reading someone “cold” without any prior knowledge about them.