Ncasvideo

1. Who Invented Beauty -- Madison Avenue or Charles Darwin?

Order: Reorder
Duration: 39:12
Published: 23 Mar 2011
Uploaded: 23 Jul 2011
Author: NCASVideo

Presented by Elisabeth Cornwell, Ph.D. Executive Director of the US branch of the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science (RDFRS) Part 1 of a 2-part talk. Is beauty created by Madison Avenue ad men (and women), or is beauty a human universal as evolutionary psychologists argue? If it is a human universal — why? What are the adaptive advantages to clear skin, a shapely figure. Are there signals specific to what women want as opposed to what men want? Why do men and women differ in what they find attractive? What do they find similarly attractive? By looking at humans through the Darwinian lens of sexual selection, you will never look at another advertisement the same way again. Dr. R. Elisabeth 'Liz' Cornwell, Ph.D., is the first Executive Director of the US branch of the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science (RDFRS). She also has years of experience as a businesswoman, working in marketing and sales in the semiconductor industry in California. She decided, in her forties, to go back to university to do a doctorate in psychology, at the University of St Andrews, in Scotland. An evolutionary psychologist, her research has examined the underlying mechanisms of human mate selection, looking at such factors as hormones, pheromones, aging, asymmetry, and facial features. More recently she has been doing research at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, exploring the relationship of various psychological traits to religious belief, across the ...

1. A Conversation with Ray Hyman and DJ Grothe (Klass Award)

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Duration: 9:52
Published: 27 Jun 2010
Uploaded: 28 Dec 2010
Author: NCASVideo

This is part 1 of a 9-part video. On April 24, 2010, NCAS presented the Philip J. Klass Award for outstanding contributions in promoting critical thinking and scientific understanding to Ray Hyman, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of Oregon and one of the founders of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP). Professor Hyman was then interviewed by DJ Grothe, President of the James Randi Foundation and host of the podcast For Good Reason about the intersection of skepticism, magic, and psychology throughout the course of his life. Views expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Capital Area Skeptics.

1. Is Radiation From Your Cell Phone a Health Hazard? Risk vs. Reality.

Order: Reorder
Duration: 13:09
Published: 31 Oct 2010
Uploaded: 08 Jun 2011
Author: NCASVideo

Part 1 of a 5-part talk. Presented by Prof. Christopher Davis, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Maryland. Despite an overwhelming preponderance of evidence to the contrary, there continues to be some public concern that human exposure to radio frequency (RF) radiation from cell phones and base stations, even at relatively low levels, can constitute a health hazard. The media seize on any report of a possible health risk based on occasional reports of biological effects being produced by RF radiation, but ignore the much larger number of studies that find nothing. This talk will review the science underlying our understanding of how RF radiation can interact with biological systems and discuss why public concern about the health risk from cell phones and base stations is irrational. The claimed connection between cell phone use and cancer will be examined, and some of the legal cases that have kept the cell phone health controversy alive. A specific interaction mechanism that will be discussed is the possibility of nonlinearity in cells and tissue that might demodulate an RF carrier. Christopher C. Davis is Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park. He received the BA degree (with Honors) in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge in 1965, the MA degree from the University of Cambridge in 1970, and the Ph.D. degree in Physics from the University of Manchester in 1970. He has served ...

4. A Conversation with Ray Hyman and DJ Grothe (Klass Award)

Order: Reorder
Duration: 9:05
Published: 28 Jun 2010
Uploaded: 14 Jul 2010
Author: NCASVideo

This is part 1 of a 9-part video. On April 24, 2010, NCAS presented the Philip J. Klass Award for outstanding contributions in promoting critical thinking and scientific understanding to Ray Hyman, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of Oregon and one of the founders of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP). Professor Hyman was then interviewed by DJ Grothe, President of the James Randi Foundation and host of the podcast For Good Reason about the intersection of skepticism, magic, and psychology throughout the course of his life. Views expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Capital Area Skeptics.

6. Cosmos in Your Pocket

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Duration: 7:06
Published: 13 Feb 2010
Uploaded: 25 Aug 2010
Author: NCASVideo

This is part 6 of a 7-part talk Presented by William T. Bridgman, Ph.D., Global Science & Technology, Greenbelt, MD. Astronomy provides a laboratory for extreme physics, a window into environments at extremes of distance, temperature and density that often can't be reproduced in Earth laboratories, or at least not right away. A surprising amount of the science we understand today started out as solutions to problems in astronomy. Some of this science was key in the development of many technologies which we enjoy today. This talk describes some of these connections between astronomy and technology and their history. Dr. Bridgman received his Ph.D. in Physics and Astronomy from Clemson University in 1994, studying nuclear and high-energy astrophysics. After completing his doctorate, he worked as an instrument specialist for the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory. He currently works as a contractor doing data-based scientific visualization for NASA media and public outreach. Over the years, he became involved in refuting pseudo-scientific issues in astronomy, particularly Young-Earth creationism and more recently Electric Universe claims. He operates a website and blog, "Dealing with Creationism in Astronomy" References: The Analysis of Starlight: One Hundred and Fifty Years of Astronomical Spectroscopy. JB Hearnshaw, 1987. The Riddle of the Gaseous Nebulae. RF Hirsch, 1979. Home Is Where the Wind Blows: Chapters From a Cosmologist's Life. Sir Fred Hoyle, 1994. Principles of ...

2. Who Invented Beauty -- Madison Avenue or Charles Darwin?

Order: Reorder
Duration: 43:07
Published: 23 Mar 2011
Uploaded: 30 Apr 2011
Author: NCASVideo

Presented by Elisabeth Cornwell, Ph.D. Executive Director of the US branch of the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science (RDFRS) Part 2 of a 2-part talk. This section covers Q & A. Is beauty created by Madison Avenue ad men (and women), or is beauty a human universal as evolutionary psychologists argue? If it is a human universal — why? What are the adaptive advantages to clear skin, a shapely figure. Are there signals specific to what women want as opposed to what men want? Why do men and women differ in what they find attractive? What do they find similarly attractive? By looking at humans through the Darwinian lens of sexual selection, you will never look at another advertisement the same way again. Dr. R. Elisabeth 'Liz' Cornwell, Ph.D., is the first Executive Director of the US branch of the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science (RDFRS). She also has years of experience as a businesswoman, working in marketing and sales in the semiconductor industry in California. She decided, in her forties, to go back to university to do a doctorate in psychology, at the University of St Andrews, in Scotland. An evolutionary psychologist, her research has examined the underlying mechanisms of human mate selection, looking at such factors as hormones, pheromones, aging, asymmetry, and facial features. More recently she has been doing research at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, exploring the relationship of various psychological traits to ...

4. Is Radiation From Your Cell Phone a Health Hazard? Risk vs. Reality.

Order: Reorder
Duration: 14:34
Published: 31 Oct 2010
Uploaded: 08 Jun 2011
Author: NCASVideo

Part 4 of a 5-part talk. Presented by Prof. Christopher Davis, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Maryland. Despite an overwhelming preponderance of evidence to the contrary, there continues to be some public concern that human exposure to radio frequency (RF) radiation from cell phones and base stations, even at relatively low levels, can constitute a health hazard. The media seize on any report of a possible health risk based on occasional reports of biological effects being produced by RF radiation, but ignore the much larger number of studies that find nothing. This talk will review the science underlying our understanding of how RF radiation can interact with biological systems and discuss why public concern about the health risk from cell phones and base stations is irrational. The claimed connection between cell phone use and cancer will be examined, and some of the legal cases that have kept the cell phone health controversy alive. A specific interaction mechanism that will be discussed is the possibility of nonlinearity in cells and tissue that might demodulate an RF carrier. Christopher C. Davis is Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park. He received the BA degree (with Honors) in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge in 1965, the MA degree from the University of Cambridge in 1970, and the Ph.D. degree in Physics from the University of Manchester in 1970. He has served ...

5. Is Radiation From Your Cell Phone a Health Hazard? Risk vs. Reality.

Order: Reorder
Duration: 13:54
Published: 31 Oct 2010
Uploaded: 16 Feb 2011
Author: NCASVideo

Part 5 of a 5-part talk. Presented by Prof. Christopher Davis, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Maryland. Despite an overwhelming preponderance of evidence to the contrary, there continues to be some public concern that human exposure to radio frequency (RF) radiation from cell phones and base stations, even at relatively low levels, can constitute a health hazard. The media seize on any report of a possible health risk based on occasional reports of biological effects being produced by RF radiation, but ignore the much larger number of studies that find nothing. This talk will review the science underlying our understanding of how RF radiation can interact with biological systems and discuss why public concern about the health risk from cell phones and base stations is irrational. The claimed connection between cell phone use and cancer will be examined, and some of the legal cases that have kept the cell phone health controversy alive. A specific interaction mechanism that will be discussed is the possibility of nonlinearity in cells and tissue that might demodulate an RF carrier. Christopher C. Davis is Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park. He received the BA degree (with Honors) in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge in 1965, the MA degree from the University of Cambridge in 1970, and the Ph.D. degree in Physics from the University of Manchester in 1970. He has served ...

2. US Science Education and Global Competitiveness Part 2 of 2

Order: Reorder
Duration: 46:02
Published: 24 Feb 2011
Uploaded: 02 Mar 2011
Author: NCASVideo

Presented by Bruce A. Fuchs, Ph.D. Director of the NIH Office of Science Education In December of last year the results of the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) were released and, once again, US students performed poorly in science and math compared to students from many other countries. We are going to look at some of the international student data and talk about what we can, and cannot, conclude from these types of studies. Some of the common questions addressed will be ... * Are these results "real"? * Aren't we comparing "all" our kids to a tiny elite in the nations that outperform us? * There can't be anything to really worry about, right? * After all, if we are so dumb then why are we so rich? Oops! Dr. Fuchs is responsible for monitoring a range of science education policy issues and providing advice to NIH leadership. He also directs the creation of a series of K-12 science education curriculum supplements that highlight the medical research findings of the NIH. The NIH Curriculum Supplement Series is designed to meet teacher's educational goals as outlined in the National Science Education Standards and is available free to teachers across the nation. Teachers have requested the seventeen titles currently in the series more than 380000 times. The office also actively creates innovative science and career education Web resources, such as the LifeWorks career exploration site, accessible to teachers and students across the nation. These ...

01 THE TRUTH ABOUT PSYCHIC DETECTIVES

Order: Reorder
Duration: 9:07
Published: 01 May 2009
Uploaded: 05 Jul 2011
Author: NCASVideo

This is part 1 of an 11-part talk given by Benjamin Radford at an event sponsored by the National Capital Area Skeptics on April 14, 2009. Psychic detectives seem to be everywhere on TV. Many of them claim to find missing persons, and solve cases for police and the FBI. But how good is the evidence for their claims? Drawing on a decade of personal investigations and case studies, Benjamin Radford will reveal a side of psychic detectives that you won't see on Medium or Larry King Live. Benjamin Radford is the managing editor of Skeptical Inquirer Magazine.

02 THE TRUTH ABOUT PSYCHIC DETECTIVES

Order: Reorder
Duration: 9:41
Published: 01 May 2009
Uploaded: 29 Jun 2011
Author: NCASVideo

This is part 2 of an 11-part talk given by Benjamin Radford at an event sponsored by the National Capital Area Skeptics on April 14, 2009. Psychic detectives seem to be everywhere on TV. Many of them claim to find missing persons, and solve cases for police and the FBI. But how good is the evidence for their claims? Drawing on a decade of personal investigations and case studies, Benjamin Radford will reveal a side of psychic detectives that you won't see on Medium or Larry King Live. Benjamin Radford is the managing editor of Skeptical Inquirer Magazine.

1: Autism & Vaccines: How Bad Science Confuses the Press & Harms the Public

Order: Reorder
Duration: 8:32
Published: 17 Dec 2008
Uploaded: 09 Jul 2011
Author: NCASVideo

This is part 1 of a 5-part talk given by Dr. Steven Salzberg at anevent sponsored by the National Capital Area Skeptics on November 8, 2008. In the words of Dr. Salzberg's description of the talk, "Scientists and skeptics need to act to quell the rumors and educate the public, so that vaccines, one of the greatest medical successes in history, remain an effective tool in our fight against disease." The presentation was edited and omits video clips of Larry King and 60 Minutes and references to individual practitioners. The views expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Capital Area Skeptics. For more information about the National Capital Area Skeptics, and to learn about our upcoming events, visit www.ncas.org. For more info about Dr. Salzberg and this talk, visit ncas.org

1. Quantum Mechanics & Spooky Action at a Distance

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Duration: 10:29
Published: 29 Jul 2010
Uploaded: 27 Jul 2011
Author: NCASVideo

This is part 1 of a 7-part talk. Presented by Prof. Allen Stairs, University of Maryland, Philosophy Department, Associate Chair. Einstein and Schrödinger both worried that quantum mechanics posits "spooky action at a distance." This was Einstein's phrase, and it referred to the fact that quantum mechanics seems to allow that what an experimenter does in one location can instantaneously affect things elsewhere. While Einstein and Schrödinger found this worrisome, others (mostly non-scientists) have embraced the idea, seeing it as evidence for some sort of hyper-connected reality. This talk will look at the underlying theoretical and experimental situation. In this talk, Prof. Stairs examines the notion of "quantum entanglement" and ask whether it's as spooky as it's sometimes cracked up to be. Prof. Stair's research centers on issues in the foundations of quantum mechanics. Views expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Capital Area Skeptics.

5: Autism & Vaccines: How Bad Science Confuses the Press & Harms the Public

Order: Reorder
Duration: 8:49
Published: 17 Dec 2008
Uploaded: 02 Oct 2010
Author: NCASVideo

This is part 5 of a 5-part talk given by Dr. Steven Salzberg at anevent sponsored by the National Capital Area Skeptics on November 8, 2008. In the words of Dr. Salzberg's description of the talk, "Scientists and skeptics need to act to quell the rumors and educate the public, so that vaccines, one of the greatest medical successes in history, remain an effective tool in our fight against disease." The presentation was edited and omits video clips of Larry King and 60 Minutes and references to individual practitioners. The views expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Capital Area Skeptics. For more information about the National Capital Area Skeptics, and to learn about our upcoming events, visit www.ncas.org. For more info about Dr. Salzberg and this talk, visit ncas.org

03 THE TRUTH ABOUT PSYCHIC DETECTIVES

Order: Reorder
Duration: 8:48
Published: 01 May 2009
Uploaded: 29 Jun 2011
Author: NCASVideo

This is part 3 of an 11-part talk given by Benjamin Radford at an event sponsored by the National Capital Area Skeptics on April 14, 2009. Psychic detectives seem to be everywhere on TV. Many of them claim to find missing persons, and solve cases for police and the FBI. But how good is the evidence for their claims? Drawing on a decade of personal investigations and case studies, Benjamin Radford will reveal a side of psychic detectives that you won't see on Medium or Larry King Live. Benjamin Radford is the managing editor of Skeptical Inquirer Magazine.

04 THE TRUTH ABOUT PSYCHIC DETECTIVES

Order: Reorder
Duration: 9:37
Published: 01 May 2009
Uploaded: 29 Jun 2011
Author: NCASVideo

This is part 4 of an 11-part talk given by Benjamin Radford at an event sponsored by the National Capital Area Skeptics on April 14, 2009. Psychic detectives seem to be everywhere on TV. Many of them claim to find missing persons, and solve cases for police and the FBI. But how good is the evidence for their claims? Drawing on a decade of personal investigations and case studies, Benjamin Radford will reveal a side of psychic detectives that you won't see on Medium or Larry King Live. Benjamin Radford is the managing editor of Skeptical Inquirer Magazine.

05 THE TRUTH ABOUT PSYCHIC DETECTIVES

Order: Reorder
Duration: 10:08
Published: 01 May 2009
Uploaded: 29 Jun 2011
Author: NCASVideo

This is part 5 of an 11-part talk given by Benjamin Radford at an event sponsored by the National Capital Area Skeptics on April 14, 2009. Psychic detectives seem to be everywhere on TV. Many of them claim to find missing persons, and solve cases for police and the FBI. But how good is the evidence for their claims? Drawing on a decade of personal investigations and case studies, Benjamin Radford will reveal a side of psychic detectives that you won't see on Medium or Larry King Live. Benjamin Radford is the managing editor of Skeptical Inquirer Magazine.

06 THE TRUTH ABOUT PSYCHIC DETECTIVES

Order: Reorder
Duration: 6:35
Published: 01 May 2009
Uploaded: 21 Feb 2011
Author: NCASVideo

This is part 6 of an 11-part talk given by Benjamin Radford at an event sponsored by the National Capital Area Skeptics on April 14, 2009. Psychic detectives seem to be everywhere on TV. Many of them claim to find missing persons, and solve cases for police and the FBI. But how good is the evidence for their claims? Drawing on a decade of personal investigations and case studies, Benjamin Radford will reveal a side of psychic detectives that you won't see on Medium or Larry King Live. Benjamin Radford is the managing editor of Skeptical Inquirer Magazine.

3. CFIs Paul Kurtz Receives the 2009 NCAS Philip J. Klass Award

Order: Reorder
Duration: 6:18
Published: 13 Apr 2009
Uploaded: 24 Aug 2009
Author: NCASVideo

NCAS honored the Father of Organized Skepticism, Dr. Paul Kurtz, with the 2009 Philip J. Klass award. The ceremony was held during the Center For Inquirys12th World Congress in Bethesda, Maryland on April 10, 2009. Paul Kurtz is the founder and chairman of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and Prometheus Books. In part three, Dr. Kurtz gives a short talk on the Affirmations of the New Skepticism.

1: How Statistics Are Misunderstood in the Media and Society

Order: Reorder
Duration: 8:48
Published: 26 Feb 2009
Uploaded: 13 May 2011
Author: NCASVideo

This is part 1 of a 9 part talk given by Dr. Rebecca Goldin at anevent sponsored by the National Capital Area Skeptics on January 10, 2009. Dr. Goldin is Director of Research for the Statistical Assessment Service (stats.org), a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization affiliated with George Mason University. STATS mission is to improve the quality of scientific and statistical information in public discourse and to act as a resource for journalists and policy makers on scientific issues and controversies. STATS' work has been featured on NBC Nightly News, the News Hour with Jim Lehrer, and ABC's 20/20 - and in print by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, US News & World Report, New Scientist, New England Journal of Medicine, and many other publications. The views expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Capital Area Skeptics. For more information about the National Capital Area Skeptics, and to learn about our upcoming events, visit www.ncas.org. This is a re-upload of this video.

2: Autism & Vaccines: How Bad Science Confuses the Press & Harms the Public

Order: Reorder
Duration: 7:54
Published: 17 Dec 2008
Uploaded: 26 Aug 2010
Author: NCASVideo

This is part 2 of a 5-part talk given by Dr. Steven Salzberg at anevent sponsored by the National Capital Area Skeptics on November 8, 2008. In the words of Dr. Salzberg's description of the talk, "Scientists and skeptics need to act to quell the rumors and educate the public, so that vaccines, one of the greatest medical successes in history, remain an effective tool in our fight against disease." The presentation was edited and omits video clips of Larry King and 60 Minutes and references to individual practitioners. The views expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Capital Area Skeptics. For more information about the National Capital Area Skeptics, and to learn about our upcoming events, visit www.ncas.org. For more info about Dr. Salzberg and this talk, visit ncas.org

07 THE TRUTH ABOUT PSYCHIC DETECTIVES

Order: Reorder
Duration: 9:35
Published: 01 May 2009
Uploaded: 24 Jul 2011
Author: NCASVideo

This is part 7 of an 11-part talk given by Benjamin Radford at an event sponsored by the National Capital Area Skeptics on April 14, 2009. Psychic detectives seem to be everywhere on TV. Many of them claim to find missing persons, and solve cases for police and the FBI. But how good is the evidence for their claims? Drawing on a decade of personal investigations and case studies, Benjamin Radford will reveal a side of psychic detectives that you won't see on Medium or Larry King Live. This segment contains discussion about an episode of Psychic Investigators entitled Vision of Murder. For copyright reasons, we cannot include clips from the show. Benjamin Radford is the managing editor of Skeptical Inquirer Magazine.

4: Autism & Vaccines: How Bad Science Confuses the Press & Harms the Public

Order: Reorder
Duration: 8:54
Published: 17 Dec 2008
Uploaded: 19 Aug 2010
Author: NCASVideo

This is part 4 of a 5-part talk given by Dr. Steven Salzberg at anevent sponsored by the National Capital Area Skeptics on November 8, 2008. In the words of Dr. Salzberg's description of the talk, "Scientists and skeptics need to act to quell the rumors and educate the public, so that vaccines, one of the greatest medical successes in history, remain an effective tool in our fight against disease." The presentation was edited and omits video clips of Larry King and 60 Minutes and references to individual practitioners. The views expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Capital Area Skeptics. For more information about the National Capital Area Skeptics, and to learn about our upcoming events, visit www.ncas.org. For more info about Dr. Salzberg and this talk, visit ncas.org