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the current issue of Skeptic magazine
Scientology
TOPICS IN THIS ISSUE INCLUDE: Is Scientology a Cult?; New Revelations on the History, Future, and Reformation of Scientology; 9/11 Controlled Demolition Conspiracy Debunked; Can Science Deliver Eternal Life?; Was the Resurrection a Grief Hallucination?; Body Language Baloney?; The Secret Behind Outstanding Teaching; A Biologist on the Meaning of Life…; Is Psychology a Science?; Do J. K. Rowling’s Novels Undermine Religion?; Junior Skeptic: Fossil Fakes Part 2; Reviews: “The Better Angels of Our Nature” by S. Pinker.
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Just for considering a donation, check out our free PDF download
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
Abundance: Why the Future Will Be Much Better Than You Think
lecture by Dr. Peter Diamandis
Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 2 pm
Baxter Lecture Hall
SINCE THE DAWN OF HUMANITY, a privileged few have lived in stark contrast to the hardscrabble majority. Conventional wisdom says this gap cannot be closed. But it is closing—fast. According to the X-Prize creator and entrepreneur Peter H. Diamandis, we will soon be able to meet and exceed the basic needs of every man, woman and child on the planet. Abundance for all is within our grasp through four forces: exponential technologies, the DIY innovator, the Technophilanthropist, and the Rising Billion. Diamandis establishes hard targets for change and lays out a strategic roadmap for governments, industry and entrepreneurs, giving us plenty of reason for optimism.
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.
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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.
current issue of
Junior Skeptic
Fossil Fakes, Pt 2
In Part 1 we learned about some famous fossil hoaxes, accusations of hoaxes, and tricks for creating hoaxes. In this issue, we’ll look at more famous cases, and also ask: Why are fossils that are merely out of place also considered fossil fakes? And how much long-term mischief can fakery cause for the scientists who are working to understand the history of life? Let’s find out!
geology tours
Led by various guest geologists and paleontologists, 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:
Paranormal media manufactures mystery out of a meteor
UFO Explodes And Crashes In South Carolina Upstate residents near Greenville reported a very bright light accompanied by an explosion shortly before ...
Paranormal media manufactures mystery out of a meteor
UFO Explodes And Crashes In South Carolina Upstate residents near Greenville reported a very bright light accompanied by an explosion shortly before ...
Ghost Hunters show loses co-star Grant Wilson
Grant Leaving Ghost Hunters Last night on Ghost Hunters, founding member of TAPS, Grant Wilson, announced he is leaving the show due to unstated ...
Shermer on YouTube
debate with Deepak Chopra
Deepak Chopra
v. Michael Shermer:
The Afterlife
Deepak and Shermer debate the question of life after death.
this week’s eSkeptic
Darwin’s Legacy
In this week’s eSkeptic, Donald R. Prothero remembers Charles Darwin (on the occasion of what would have been his 203rd birthday this past Sunday). Prothero reminds us that it was 40 years ago this year that the most frequently cited paper in the history of paleontology was published: none other than the legendary 1972 article by Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould which proposed the “punctuated equilibrium” hypothesis. Prothero also shares some insights from his own research.
last week’s eSkeptic
How We Know Global Warming is Real and Human Caused
In last week’s eSkeptic, 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
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.
Skeptic’s Science Symposium Q&A
In this discussion panel with audience Q&A, five leading skeptics (Bill Nye, James Randi, Donald Prothero, Brian Dalton, and Michael Shermer) discussed their experiences communicating science to the public. Young audience members took advantage of these experts to ask excellent questions.
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.
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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.
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