Tag skepticism

13 Reasons to Doubt – scientific and philosophical skepticism

SIN has created its own book which came out in 2014. It’s a great collection of essays looking at a whole range of subjects to be skeptical of. For example, Rebecca Bradley deals with “pseudoarcheology”, whilst Caleb Lack writes about cognitive biases. Subjects from science denialism to groupthink, free will to the history of skepticism, are dealt with, with care and quality. The variety is a real joy. It would make a great Christmas present!

Medical Miracle Anecdote

This came into our mailbox here at SIN. It is a medical miracle anecdote, in the same strain as a post from the other day:

I have just returned from a surgical mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Although I am an atheist my schedule was such that it was most convenient for me to travel and work with XXX Ministry XXX, a frankly Christian evangelical organization operating out of Texas.

Just a reminder – 13 Reasons to Doubt

Our ebook, soon to be paperback, with 13 chapters contributed by authors here at SIN, is out on arious e-formats. It has received good reviews, if you discount the trolls, such as JoeG who used to hang out here on occasion, losing a $10,000 bet to Andy.

The success of John Oliver and Last Week Tonight

If you, like me, have been really pleased that the state of comedy and satirical news is in rude health, and if you have been comforted by the emergence of John Oliver and his research- and fact-based show (Last Week Tonight) , then you will find this a good read. I have loved John Oliver’s comedy. The writing is astute, and chimes with so much of what is going on in the liberal, secular, intellectually invigorated community.

At Last!!! BBC staff told to stop inviting cranks onto science programmes

This is an issue that plagues every single media institution. Because the BBC is THE port of call, for me at least, for news and views, whether from their excellent website, r from their news coverage, it is infuriating, from a skeptical point of view, that equal airtime is given to dissenting views which do not hold equal proportion of adherence in the relevant fields. That a creationist might receive 1 on 1 battle time with an evolutionary bioligist is misrepresenting the state of affairs, as can be seen here: