Reason Stick’s Venn Diagram of Irrational Nonsense

March 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment
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Looks like Crispian Jago has got a new name for his blog, and a little redesign to spruce up his posts - and there's a little diagram making the rounds that is very amusing:  The curiously revered world of irrational nonsense has seeped into almost every aspect of modern society and is both complex and multifarious. Therefore rather than attempt a comprehensive taxonomy, I have opted instead for a gross oversimplification and a rather pretty Venn Diagram. Some of the comments are debating … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alternative Medicine, Art, Current Events, Paranormal, Pseudoscience, Religion and Spirituality, Science, Skepticism Leave a Comment

Now Out At CSI – Curiouser And Curiouser Interview With Ben Goldacre!

February 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment

I wrote this before I left for radio camp and as soon as it posts... there it is! Bad Pharma – Interview with Ben Goldacre. Dr. Ben Goldacre is a best-selling author, broadcaster, medical doctor and academic who specialises in unpicking dodgy scientific claims from drug companies, newspapers, government reports, PR people and quacks. As of 2012, he is a Wellcome research fellow in epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. His first book, Bad Science, sold over … [Read more...]

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Homeopathy: The Test (BBC Documentary Films)

February 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment

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Why Anti-Fluoride Activists In Perth Should Find Something Better To Do With Their Time

February 16, 2013 By 8 Comments

I was handed a flyer while walking through the Cultural Centre (the whole area is currently chocked-full with circus-style tents; a double-decker bus parked on the esplanade advertising ticket sales; men pushing huge steam-punk styled machinery about) - and discovered that there's a certain sub-section of the Perth population who really should be doing something better with their time. Such as attending events at the Fringe World festival. Just a thought. This particular group were handing … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Current Events, Pseudoscience 8 Comments

Atheists Aren’t Guaranteed Skeptics… And Other Links

February 4, 2013 By 5 Comments

How many atheists do you know who aren't skeptics? Some years back I attended a talk at the Perth Atheists, which was presented by a conspiracy theorist who thought that Einstein had "corrupted science". The poor organiser was mortified that he'd let a conspiracy theorist present, but as I said then (and now), the talk was by an atheist, as the Meetup advertised... just not by a skeptic. Since then, I've been a little wary of people who assume atheists = skeptics automatically. Anyway, this is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alternative Medicine, Current Events, Media, Monday Morning Muse, Paranormal, Pseudoscience, Religion and Spirituality, Science, Skepticism 5 Comments

Reaching Out Reasonably at QED 2011 – Janis Bennion, Eugenie Scott, David Kirby, Síle Lane and Kylie Sturgess

February 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Things I do... Enjoy. The audio version is here on the Token Skeptic podcast, with many thanks again to the QEDCon folks.   Moderated by Janis Bennion of the Greater Manchester Skeptics and featuring Eugenie Scott of the National Center for Science Education, Sile Lane from Sense About Science, David Kirby, Senior Lecturer in Science Communication Studies from the University of Manchester and Kylie Sturgess. What is skeptical outreach, and how does it differ to scientific outreach? … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alternative Medicine, Education, Paranormal, Podcasting, Pseudoscience, Science, Skepticism Leave a Comment

Meryl Dorey Resigns From The Australian (Anti)Vaccination Network

January 11, 2013 By 3 Comments

Because it's news and because Doubtful News is on the scene with the info and you should check them out: The AVN’s announcement: Meryl gives her Crayons to Greg – Dave The Happy Singer. Meryl Dorey has resigned as president of the AVN. Her replacement is the splendidly eccentric Greg Beattie. Here is the AVN’s announcement of the news: Greg Beattie, long-time vaccine researcher and author of two books, the latest of which guides readers through an in-depth analysis of the benefits of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Current Events, Media, Pseudoscience, Skepticism 3 Comments

Young Australian Skeptics Blog – Relaunching 1st January!

December 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Young Australian Skeptics blog is relaunching with a diverse team of young writers, aiming to inject fresh perspectives and opinions into the online skeptical and science communication communities. The blog - youngausskeptics.com - will be relaunched on the 1st of January, 2013, at 12pm, Melbourne time, with a beautiful new design and a bunch of thought-provoking articles. ...The new writing team is comprised of undergraduate and graduate students with diverse backgrounds in astronomy, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Current Events, Education, Media, Monday Morning Muse, Paranormal, Philosophy, Pseudoscience, Religion and Spirituality, Science, Skepticism Leave a Comment

Ending 2012? Two Skeptical Things You Can Do Today… Podcast And Vodcast!

December 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Firstly - the final episode for the Token Skeptic in 2012: Token Skeptic Special Episode – On The End Of 2012 With Doubtful News. This includes a round-up of the year with Sharon Hill of Doubtful News and a summary of suggested movies, documentaries and books that I read this year.  ...Head to http://doubtfulnews.com to keep in touch with everything worth taking a skeptical look at – and put it on your New Year Resolutions to subscribe (and donate!) in 2013. Secondly, Episode #20 - the … [Read more...]

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NBA Challenged By Mark Cuban For “These Sham Balance Bracelets”

November 27, 2012 By 8 Comments

From Yahoo Sports: "One of the biggest energy bracelets, Power Balance, even paid a $57 million out-of-court class-action settlementafter consumers alleged rampant false advertising regarding the bracelets' capabilities. That payment forced them into bankruptcy, but they're still making products. Reach for those profits in any way you can, guys! Despite these issues, the NBA has gladly taken on Power Balance as a business partner. Although the company no longer lends its name to the home arena … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Current Events, Media, Pseudoscience, Skepticism 8 Comments