The Skeptics Society & Skeptic magazine

INSIGHT at Skeptic.com brings together a variety of accomplished voices for a broad-ranging but focussed discussion of science and skepticism. INSIGHT will shed light, offer critical perspective, and serve as a broadly accessible, evidence-based resource on mysteries of science, paranormal claims, and the wild, woolly, wonderful weirdness of the fringe.

Taking a Shot at the Boot Hill Ghost

Blake Smith presents a possible solution to a 1996 photograph of a purported phantom cowboy rising from the grave.

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Good Grief, Skip! Murder, Mourning, or Anthropomorphism?

Mike McRae considers our often mistaken tendency to interpret non-human animals as exhibiting human thoughts and emotional states.

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Is It Irrational to Play the Lottery?

Is buying a lottery ticket irrational? Is any gambling rational? What makes one bet fair while another is a sucker's bet?

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Since 1992, the Skeptics Society has sponsored a series of science lectures, hosting over 350 lectures, covering the most cutting edge discoveries and controversial topics in all of science.

The Magic of Math: Solving for x and Figuring Out Why

Arthur Benjamin (TED Global) The Magic of Math is the math book you wish you had in school. Using a delightful assortment of examples—from ice cream scoops and poker hands to measuring mountains and making magic squares—this book empowers you to see the beauty, simplicity, and truly magical properties behind those formulas and equations that […]

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The Quotable Feynman (& His Van)

In this conversation with Michael Shermer, Michelle Feynman discusses the life and legacy of her father: Nobel prize-winning physicist Richard P. Feynman (1918–88).

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Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs: The Astounding Interconnectedness of the Universe

In this conversation with Michael Shermer, renowned Harvard cosmologist, Dr. Lisa Randall, discusses her book in which she teaches us an enormous amount about dark matter, our Universe, our galaxy, asteroids, and comets—and the process by which scientists explore new concepts.

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The Reading Room is a comprehensive, free resource of articles relating to science and skepticism.

All Sacred Cows

Most Americans continue to grow up without thinking very deeply about other religions (other than mocking them on a superficial basis), and never question the assumptions of their own faith. In this article, Donald Prothero reviews Sacred Cows: A Lighthearted Look at Belief and Tradition Around the World, by Seth Andrews, in which he does all that, and more.

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Charlie Sheen’s HIV Goat Milk Doctor

Harriet Hall, M.D. (a.k.a. The SkepDoc) takes a close look at Samir Chachoua, a man who claims to have discovered a cure for HIV/AIDS, cancer, and a host of other illnesses.

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The Great ET Paradox: Why We are Likely to Find Them Before They Find Us

It’s possible that life exists outside of our solar system and that we may, one day, find it. The Internet has been abuzz with speculation that an alien megastructure orbiting the star KIC 8462852 is responsible for the star’s erratic flicker. Since scientists have yet to advance a convincing natural explanation, attention has turned to more tantalizing possibilities. In this week’s eSkeptic, Dr. George Michael discusses a number of theories that have been advanced to explain the anomalous activity of the star.

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All Sacred Cows

Most Americans continue to grow up without thinking very deeply about other religions (other than mocking them on a superficial basis), and never question the assumptions of their own faith. In this week’s eSkeptic, Donald Prothero reviews Sacred Cows: A Lighthearted Look at Belief and Tradition Around the World, by Seth Andrews, in which he does all that, and more.

• Read this eSkeptic

Charlie Sheen’s HIV Goat Milk Doctor

Harriet Hall, M.D. (a.k.a. The SkepDoc) takes a close look at Samir Chachoua, a man who claims to have discovered a cure for HIV/AIDS, cancer, and a host of other illnesses.

• Read this eSkeptic

Flying Saucer “Space Brothers” from Venus!?

In this issue we’ll hear tales from a man who said he met flying saucer travellers—human beings from Venus and several other planets! Amateur astronomer George Adamski became famous in the 1950s for photographs of objects he said were alien spaceships. His stories only got wilder from there. He claimed he befriended saucer people, rode in their spaceships, and even attended a meeting on Saturn. His books about these adventures became a public sensation. But what was the truth behind Adamski’s storytelling? Find out in this issue of Junior Skeptic!

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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.

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Since 1992, the Skeptics Society has sponsored the Distinguished Science Lecture Series, hosting 350 of the biggest names in science. This series of lectures has covered the most cutting edge discoveries and controversial topics in all of science, and enabled students, educators, and the general public to hear what’s new in science and skepticism. You can watch some of our most popular science lectures online, on demand, around the world, at prices we think you’ll really like!

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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.

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MonsterTalk— presented by Skeptic magazine

MonsterTalk critically examines the science behind cryptozoological (and legendary) creatures, such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, or werewolves.

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