Token Skeptic - Page 150 of 170 - Bending Misconceptions With Her Mind

#QEDCon – Another Donated Ticket Offer Open

December 18, 2011 By Kylie Sturgess

Hayley Stevens has been a marvel at getting people to attend QEDCon; she’s already run several successful fundraising efforts since late September to get as many skeptics on low-incomes to the science event QEDcon (held in Manchester next March 10th & 11th) as she can. Now there’s a first-in offer that’s open to disabled persons (or people), as a gesture by Chris (aka ‘Gonz Blinko’) who can no longer attend QEDCon: Rather than getting people to apply for these tickets that’ll… Read more

JEDI NINJAS FOR THE WIN

December 18, 2011 By Kylie Sturgess

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Thanks to Josh for this find. Facebook link. ‘Jedi Ninjas’ a Team2X production. Directed by James Mark and Justin Lovell. Concept & produced by James Mark and Yung Lee (GakAttack). Action Designed by and Featuring Team2x. Visual FX by Yung Lee (GakAttack) Read more

Teddy The Porcupine With Subtitles – Audio Pareidolia

December 17, 2011 By Kylie Sturgess

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And a happy birthday to Barbara! Read more

Alom Shaha – Science and Education

December 17, 2011 By Kylie Sturgess

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In his talk at the Ri Unconference 2011, science communicator and teacher Alom Shaha challenges the next generation of scientists and educators to rethink the type of science taught in schools. “There are an awful lot of facts that you could learn at school. The question is which of those facts should you learn? Should we concentrate on the big ideas like evolution, or should we look at modern science and things that are more relevant?” Alom asks how we… Read more

We Lost Hitch. That Is All

December 16, 2011 By Kylie Sturgess

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I don’t have a pre-prepared blog-post for this day. I don’t have a personal recollection, beyond attending the Amazing Meeting Three and being in the front few rows to hear him present. I have a friend who went to him in tears of gratitude, after hearing him at a later Amazing Meeting, and he was very kind to her and understanding as to why his talk reduced her to such a state. I have written previously on how I disagreed… Read more

Education And Critical Thinking In Australia – Part 1: A Valuable Argument

December 16, 2011 By Kylie Sturgess

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You’ve heard of something called the Australian National Curriculum? Perhaps you’ve heard of my friend Michael McRae, who has been contributing resources to a super sekrit project? Animated and directed by James Hutson, Bridge8. Written by Mike Mcrae and James Hutson: Part 1 of the TechNyou critical thinking resource. The resource covers basic logic and faulty arguments, developing student’s critical thinking skills. Suitable for year 8-10, focused on science issues, the module can be adapted to suit classroom plans. The… Read more

Christmas Coming A Little Early (Change Nearly As Good As A Holiday)

December 14, 2011 By Kylie Sturgess

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Wednesday night is usually just the-middle-of-the-week. Today, however, it was: Dye my hair a new colour – well, two colours, actually. This is me, out in the bushland, trying to track down some black swans with my camera, for a friend. Pop on a Santa hat… …and work at the science museum here in my home town, where I’ve been volunteering for the past year. Tonight was the children’s Christmas party for the ‘SciTrekkers’ (people who have yearly memberships for… Read more

Why We Don’t Eat Our Own Brains – Professor Daniel Wolpert On TED

December 13, 2011 By Kylie Sturgess

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What’s the point of a brain? A fundamental question that has led Professor Daniel Wolpert to some remarkable conclusions about how and why the brain controls and predicts movement. In a recent talk for TED, Wolpert explores the research that resulted in him receiving the Golden Brain Award. Thanks to PhilosophyBites. Read more

“We’ve Already Entered Into Contracts With Meryl Dorey… The Damage Is Already Done.” Woodford Folk Festival

December 13, 2011 By Kylie Sturgess

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This Festival Allows A Dangerous Anti-Vaxxer To Spread Misinformation. Why? From Mamamia.com.au: News Editor Rick Morton just spoke to Festival Executive Director Bill Hauritz about the decision to bring Meryl Dorey into speak at the Woodford Folk Festival. Bill: Who says it is dangerous? There are a lot of people out there who believe this whole vaccination thing is not an open and shut case. Is anybody willing to say that all vaccinations are 100% safe? Q: I don’t think even doctors say… Read more

Seal Pup Wanders Into Home And Puts His Flippers Up

December 13, 2011 By Kylie Sturgess

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This find is thanks to Bec Crew: New Zealand’s Bay Of Plenty Times: A wandering baby fur-seal wriggled through the cat-door of a Welcome Bay house – and made himself at home on the couch. A stunned Annette Swoffer thought she must have been hallucinating when she found the young pup hanging out with her cats in her kitchen on Sunday night. The seal had made its way from the Welcome Bay waterfront, through the suburb’s residential area, across busy… Read more