Skeptic News

Some Recent Reading

It's been months since I posted anything here. What can I say? I've been busy. Our local skeptics group, REALL, hosted a stop on Victor J. Stenger's book tour in June, which was cool.

My recent reading has included:

• Guns, Germs and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, by Jared Diamond
• Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed, by Jared Diamond
• Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice for all Creation: The Definitive Guide to the Evolutionary Biology of Sex, by Olivia Judson

I highly recommend all three books, particularly the two by Jared Diamond.

Currently I'm reading Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, by Robert D. Putnam. So far I'm only about halfway through it, but it's been very interesting, so I recommend it, too. However, it came out in 2000, so for the full story I'll need to read his followup book, Better Together: Restoring the American Community.

Well, I'll try to write more later. I just wanted to confirm that I'm not dead yet!

Catching up is hard to do

Okay, I am a very bad blogger. I plead being a new father with very little time. (The fact that the child is nearing his 2nd birthday doesn't make me any less of a new father. I'm a bit of a slow learner.)

The previous post was made in July 2005. I had a few "I ought to post about this" moments since then and filed away a few links to discuss later. Well, the discussion isn't going to happen, but I hate to see those links go unmentioned, so here they are.

(Religions, Cults, and Miracles) slacktivist on Hermeneutics

• Link: slacktivist: Hermeneutics.

(Creation/Evolution) IMAX vs. the Fundamentalists

• Link: A New Screen Test for Imax: It's the Bible vs. the Volcano.

(Religions, Cults, and Miracles) Divorce Judge bans Wicca

• Link: Judge: Parents can't teach pagan beliefs.

(Religions, Cults, and Miracles) Survey of Doctors on Religion

• Link: 55 percent of doctors influenced by religion.

(Creation/Evolution) Catholics debating meaning of Cardinal's op-ed on evolution

• Link: Catholic experts urge caution in evolution debate.

(UFOs and Aliens) Sleep paralysis at Science News Online

• Link: Night of the Crusher.

(Cryptozoology) Bigfoot

• Link: In search of Bigfoot.

(Science and Technology) Shuttle Trouble - Where is the science?

• Link: Idle Words - A Rocket to Nowhere.

(Creation/Evolution) Santorum says to teach the controversy

• Link: Leading Republican differs with Bush on evolution.

After this maybe I can start posting about stuff when it's still relevant!

Catching Up is Hard to Do

Have I mentioned yet that being a new father chews up a lot of one's time? It's been a couple of weeks since I've posted anything. I had wanted to comment on these items, but at this point I've decided to admit that it's never going to happen. Just in case you'd missed them, though, here are the links. This will clear out the backlog and let me get back to posting on more current stuff.

Link: Newsweek - Doubting Darwin.

Link: BBC NEWS: 'Artificial life' comes step closer.

Link: Whiskey Bar: Scientific Method.

Link: Urban Legends Reference Pages: Politics (Vitamin See).

Link: The Panda's Thumb: Telling it straight.

Link: Evolutionblog: Washington Times Backs Sternberg.

Link: Eyes, Part One: Opening Up the Russian Doll: Corante > The Loom >.

Link: Trilobite Cookies.

Link: TheStar.com: Rapture awaits in the Florida Panhandle.

Link: The Evolution Project.
Link: The Non-Evolution Project.

Link: Space.com: NASA Researchers Claim Evidence of Present Life on Mars.

Randi on Johnny Carson's Death

If you haven't already done so, you might want to read James Randi's thoughts on the death of Johnny Carson. Randi appeared on the Tonight Show numerous times, but was also involved in helping Carson successfully test Uri Gellar.

Reality Check, September Issue

Reality Check, September Issue

The September issue of the newsletter of the Rationalists of East Tennessee is now on their web site. Topics include their proposed bylaws, an upcoming presentation by Michael Shermer, their book club, and an upcoming canoe trip. Wait ... canoe trip?! Are skeptics allowed to have fun?

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

The Rationalists of East Tennessee have added a "Letters to the Editor" section to their site. The first entry is a letter from Massimo Pigliucci which begins, "It has been with trepidation that I picked up this week's 'Metro Pulse' and opened it at Mike Gibson's article 'Out there'." I think we've all felt that trepidation before, haven't we?

Dave Palmer's Home Page Moves, Rest of Planet Stays Still; or Vice Versa if Einstein is Right

Dave Palmer's Home Page Moves, Rest of Planet Stays Still; or Vice Versa if Einstein is Right

Dave Palmer's home page has moved to http://members.xoom.com/dwpalmer/home.htm. Not much else to say about that!

Proof that People Actually Read The Skeptic's Dictionary

Proof that People Actually Read The Skeptic's Dictionary

As if there was ever any doubt that such a useful site as the Skeptic's Dictionary is read. Two readers recently wrote about a couple of entries. The first is Reader Comments About "E-rays", the second is Reader Comments About "James Van Praagh".

Selective Thinking

Selective Thinking

This entry on the Skeptic's Dictionary has been revised. "Selective thinking is the term used to describe the process whereby one selects out favorable evidence for remembrance and focus, while ignoring unfavorable evidence for a hypothesis."

Several New Skeptic's Dictionary Entries

Several New Skeptic's Dictionary Entries

There are several new entries on the Skeptic's Dictionary.

• abracadabra
• amulets
• charms
• conjuring
• fetishes
• incantation
• invocation
• occult and occultism
• spell
• talisman

The Why Files, September Issue

The Why Files, September Issue

The latest issue of the newsletter of the Inquiring Skeptics of Upper New York is now online. Features include "Science Education," "summer picnic highlights," "Rumors of cat eating," and "Imagination Deficient Personality."

Call for Papers at The Puck Project

Call for Papers at The Puck Project

The Montana Rationalists and Skeptics Network "is looking for experts in various paranormal disciplines to prepare papers for inclusion in The Puck Project Web Site. The purpose of The Puck Project is to make freely and publicly available the true methods paranormal practitioners use to dupe their clients or the public."

"Miracle Thaw" - The Bogus Miracle

"Miracle Thaw" - The Bogus Miracle

Larry Canonica reports, "After quite a few weeks off Kil has completed a new report at the Skeptic Friends Network. We are also happy to report that our e mail finally works!"

Skeptikùvslovnk ve slovenštin

Skeptikùv slovnk ve slovenštin

For those of you who prefer getting your skepticism in Slovak, Vladimir Luknar has created Slovak translations of selected entries from the Skeptic's Dictionary.

The Dreams Our Stuff Is Made Of: How Science Fiction Conquered the World

The Dreams Our Stuff Is Made Of: How Science Fiction Conquered the World

There's a new entry over on the Skeptic Bibliography. This book is "a critical history of science fiction and how science fiction ideas have infultrated the culture."

The New New Math

The New New Math

Lastly, here's another item that is only tangentially related to skepticism. Martin Gardner has an article in the September 24 edition of The New York Review of Books. "Recently, the NCTM, having learned little from its New Math fiasco, has once more been backing another reform movement that goes by such names as the new new math, whole math, fuzzy math, standards math, and rain forest math. Like the old New Math, it is creating a ferment among teachers and parents, especially in California, where it first caught on. It is estimated that about half of all pre-college mathematics in the United States is now being taught by teachers trained in fuzzy math." It is a lengthy and very alarming article. If you have an interest in the quality of education (who doesn't?), you should certainly read this.

The House on Gintilly

The House on Gintilly

Keith Lankford sent me this item. "Doubting Thomas, the Sagan Society's newsletter of weird stuff, has a 'Weird Mystery Story' called 'The House on Gintilly.' Read the story (which really happened!) and offer your response to it (to be published in next issue). Also, the main page has an updated list of upcoming Sagan Society meetings, as well as new Skeptical and Not-So-Skeptical Books of the Month." Thanks very much for the report, Keith! For those interested in responding, the deadline is September 30. I think I already have a response to Keith's story; in fact, I ran an item summarizing my response about 6 weeks ago right here in the Skeptic News! How's that for a coinkidink?

'Giant Bubbles' Caused Disasters

'Giant Bubbles' Caused Disasters

The Australian Skeptics found this article in the September 9 edition of The Adelaide Advertiser. "Geologist Dr Ben Clennell told a conference that the phenomenon where planes, ships and people have vanished [in the Bermuda Triangle] was caused by giant gas bubbles."

1998 Australian Convention Update

1998 Australian Convention Update

More information about the 1998 Australian Skeptics Convention, to be held on October 31 - November 1 in Canberra, is now available.

In the Bunker of Truth with the Debunkers

In the Bunker of Truth with the Debunkers

This is a newspaper article about the Australian Skeptics that appeared in the June 4, 1998 edition of Melbourne's The Age. "You can believe whatever you want. We believe proof, say the Australian Skeptics." Good line! I think I'll steal it!

Particularly Stupid Web Sites

Particularly Stupid Web Sites

And one more new item on the Skeptical Skoundrels site. "A new addition to our site. This is where The Skeptical Skoundrels bring to you particular pages of paranormal and tell you what is wrong with them. Doubting Dave is first out of the blocks and following the link will take you to his offering."

Page O' Praise

Page O' Praise

Here's another new item on the Skeptical Skoundrels site. "The praise for our website has been rolling in. Well, sort of. We do get the odd e-mail. Usually when someone trying to send skeptical gossip to the Skeptical Inquirer stuffs up. But occasionally,the odd soul does decided to write and tell us what they think about us, our page and whatever else they fancy. In the interests of fairness, you can find critical comments concerning The Skeptical Skoundrels on our Page O' Praise. We also get our say in as well."

Is Art Bell Afraid of the Skeptical Skoundrels?

Is Art Bell Afraid of the Skeptical Skoundrels?

This is the first of three new items on the Skeptical Skoundrels site. Their answer: "Yes. Big Radio Guy Art Bell is afraid of the Skeptical Skoundrels. Well..sort of. Actually, we are not even sure he has heard us. But if he has, you betcha he would be scared. Well, not scared, maybe worried a bit. If not worried, then mildly concerned. Whatever, point and click and read all about this scandulous tale."

Skeptics Society Page Returns

Skeptics Society Page Returns

Shortly after I asked where the Skeptics Society page had gone, it came back. Typical. Perhaps it was abducted by a UFO? In any case, it's at "http://www.skeptic.com/", just as before.

Shadow of a Doubt, September 1998 Issue

Shadow of a Doubt, September 1998 Issue

The National Capital Area Skeptics have posted the latest issue of their monthly newsletter.

Skeptics Society Page Missing

Skeptics Society Page Missing

Does anyone know what has happened to the Skeptics Society web site? It used to be at "http://www.skeptic.com/", but it's no longer there.

New Skeptic's Dictionary Entry - Evil Eye

New Skeptic's Dictionary Entry - Evil Eye

The Skeptic's Dictionary has another new entry, this one discussing the evil eye. "The evil eye is a kind of curse put on a child, livestock, crops, etc., by someone who has the 'evil eye.' There does not seem to be any particular reason why some people are born with and others without the evil eye. The curse is usually unintentional and caused by praising and looking enviously at the victim." How inconvenient for them. Again, follow the link for more info.

New Skeptic's Dictionary Entry - E-rays

New Skeptic's Dictionary Entry - E-rays

The Skeptic's Dictionary has a new entry, this one discussing E-rays. I had never heard of these, but according to the Skeptic's Dictionary, they also known as Erdestrahlen and earth rays. "E-rays are believed to be evil rays emitted from below ground and detectable only by dowsers with paranormal powers." How convenient for them. Follow the link for more info.

Tour the Skeptic's Dictionary

Tour the Skeptic's Dictionary

The Skeptic's Dictionary has added another new feature, Tour the Skeptic's Dictionary, which provides brief descriptions of the various parts of the site and how to use it. Good idea!

The Weird Mail

The Weird Mail

The Skeptic's Dictionary has added a new feature, The Weird Mail, showing some of the odd mail sent to the webmaster.

Skeptic's Dictionary is Moving

Skeptic's Dictionary is Moving

There are flood of updates from the eminently useful Skeptic's Dictionary today. The biggest is that the site is moving to "http://skepdic.com/". The Skeptic's Refuge is also moving, to "http://skepdic.com/refuge/sr.html". Everyone update your bookmarks and lists of links!

Two 1998 Bent Spoon Award Nominations

Two 1998 Bent Spoon Award Nominations

The final item from the Australian Skeptics consists of two nominations for the Bent Spoon Award. One nominee is the "Millenium Bug" Panic Merchants."Phil Tonkin's nomination is the second one this year regarding the year 2000 computer bug." The other nominee is Mr. Ronnie Burns. "The TV show Prophecies and Predictions seeded a small storm in sceptical circles in early September. We received a few e-mail messages from confused and irritated people regarding the show, this prompted Barry Williams to write the article Channel 9 Does it Again. Roger Scott's irritation with the show was so great that he has nominated Mr. Ronnie Burns (credited for the 'original idea') for the 1998 Bent Spoon."

Council for Media Integrity

Council for Media Integrity

CSICOP has added a home page for the Council for Media Integrity to their site. "The Council for Media Integrity was founded in the summer of 1996 at the first World Skeptics Congress, held at the State University of New York at Buffalo. The Council is comprised of a network of distinguished international scientists, academics, and members of the media concerned with the balanced portrayal of science in the media. Members of the Council include E.O. Wilson, Stephen Jay Gould, Martin Gardner, Steve Allen and Sir John Maddox. Co-chairs are nobel laureate Glenn T. Seaborg and author/entertainer Steve Allen."

Yahoo Skeptics Club

Yahoo Skeptics Club

Joe Needham has created a "Skeptics Club" on Yahoo, featuring a message board and a chat room.

Skeptix Mailing List

Skeptix Mailing List

Garrison L. Hilliard dropped me a note to let everyone know about the Skeptix Mailing List. 'Join the Skeptix mailing list by sending a message to listserv@cyberwarped.com with SUBSCRIBE SKEPTIX (your name) for thoughtful insights into the "maybe's" around us.' Or just click the link in this news item to join. From Garrison Hilliard's EFN Page you can also find links to the archives and the newsgroup. Thanks for the info, Garrison!

Skeptic's Bunker Adds a Discussion Board

Skeptic's Bunker Adds a Discussion Board

Sam Nash dropped me this note. "The Skeptic's Bunker has added a discussion board. I have noticed that very few skepic sites have message/discussion forums, so I have added one to me site." Straightforward and to the point - I like it! Thanks for the news, Sam, and good luck with the discussion board!

Recent Issues of Hawaii Rational Inquirer

Recent Issues of Hawaii Rational Inquirer

Victor Stenger's Hawaii Rational Inquirer is an e-mail newsletter that gets distributed every couple of weeks. Recent articles include Skeptics Skeptical of Skeptical JAMA Article, Hofstadter on Popular Attitudes Toward Science, Carlos Castaneda and Don Juan, and English Professor Comments on Randi-Olsen Squabble in the August 16 issue; Russell on Evolution and the Mind of God, Showering is Bad for You, Bowling Green Rejects Course on Political Correctness, and Quackery Thriving in Vet Medicine in the August 21 issue; and Secrets of the Psychics, Psychic Pet? Not!, and Deconstructing Infinity in the August 28 issue.

Tampa Bay Skeptics' $1,000 Challenge Accepted by Virginia Levy

Tampa Bay Skeptics' $1,000 Challenge Accepted by Virginia Levy

The Tampa Bay Skeptics will be testing the the "psychometry" powers (reading vibrations from objects) of Titusville "psychic/prophet" Virginia Levy on Saturday, September 19, in Tampa, Florida. Check their site for details.

Mass Media Funk - Psychic Dog Fails ESP Test; Spontaneous Human Combustion Explained

Mass Media Funk - Psychic Dog Fails ESP Test; Spontaneous Human Combustion Explained

The Skeptic's Refuge, in the Mass Media Funk column, briefly summarizes two recent news items. In the first, Jaytee, a "clairvoyant" terrier, is tested to see whether he knows when his owner is about to return home. (If Jaytee won Randi's million dollar challenge, how would he spend the money?) In the second, researchers test the "wick effect," in which a body's fat fuels the flames. How nice.

King Tut's Curse 'A Killer Bug'

King Tut's Curse 'A Killer Bug'

The Australian Skeptics have posted another new Media Watch article. "Can King Tut's Curse be explained by hibernating microscopic spores? Two media reports arrived on the same day regarding this matter, one from London, one from South Australia."

Cosmology for Beginners

Cosmology for Beginners

The Secular Web has posted two reviews written by Finngeir Hiorth. One is a review of The Universe for Beginners, by Felix Pirani and Christine Roche. The other is a review of Stephen Hawking for Beginners, by J. P. McEvoy and Oscar Zarate.

Mass Media Funk: Teacher Charged with False Channeling

Mass Media Funk: Teacher Charged with False Channeling

Robert Carroll has posted a new article on The Skeptic's Refuge in the Mass Media Funk column. "An Associated Press story out of Concord, New Hampshire, today reports that Bill Morse has sued teacher Lucille Corriveau on charges 'she caused him and his wife great emotional distress and invaded their privacy when she handed them a letter purporting to contain a message from their dead son.'" Yikes!

Philosophical Skepticism

Philosophical Skepticism

Robert Carroll has posted a new entry on The Skeptic's Dictionary.
"Philosophical Skepticism is a critical attitude which systematically questions the
notion that absolute knowledge and certainty are possible, either in general or in
particular fields. ... Philosophical Skepticism should be distinguished from ordinary
skepticism, where doubts are raised against certain beliefs or types of beliefs
because the evidence for the particular belief or type of belief is weak or lacking."

Dr. Ed Larson to Speak at Sagan Society Meeting

Dr. Ed Larson to Speak at Sagan Society Meeting

Keith Lankford, editor of Doubting Thomas, sent me this item: "The Sagan Society has just confirmed Dr. Ed Larson (Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Summer for the Monkeys) for a speaking engagement at its December 2 meeting. Dr. Larson will speak on his research into science and religion, especially his two articles that have appeared in Nature." Follow the link for additional details about Dr. Larson and the meeting. Thanks for the report, Keith!

Two Broken Links

Two Broken Links

Oh, bother. Two links that I posted recently to news stories apparently don't work.

The August 20 story, "Sham Cancer Healer Gets 2½ Years," was a link to an article on the Associated Press Wire. Although the story is still there, the link won't work. Apparently their software prevents other web sites from linking to their stories directly. If you still want to read the story, got to the Associated Press Wire, then do a search on "sham cancer healer."

The August 19 story, "Reuters: Tapes Raise New Doubts About 'Sybil' Personalities," was a link to an article on the New York Times. Apparently they only allow free access to stories on the day the story is posted. Accessing anything from the archives requires a fee.

Ah, well. Live and learn.

Duchovny Blasts X-Files

Duchovny Blasts X-Files

This is only tangentially related to skepticism, but given the the CSICOP vs. X-Files controversy, I think it's appropriate. Tom Genoi sent me this one, saying, "You might find this interesting. It's a BBC story detailing David Duchovny's apparent hate for the X-Files: 'X-Files star David Duchovny has admitted he hates the sci-fi hit - and wishes he could leave the show.'" The bit that I found most interesting was that Duchovny "thinks the plots are far-fetched and 'full of holes'." Could he be a closet skeptic? Perhaps he could host a TV show afterwards, something like "Unsolved Mysteries" with a skeptical viewpoint. My suggestion for a title would be The Oh! Files. Thanks for the report, Tom!

Dreams

Dreams

Robert Carroll of The Skeptic's Refuge has posted an entry about dreams in The Skeptic's Dictionary.

Ask the Answer Man

Ask the Answer Man

Patrick Fitzgerald, webmaster for CSICOP, told me about a new feature of their web site -- the Answer Man. "Do you have a question about a paranormal or fringe-science topic? Submit your question to the Answer Man." Sounds like a good idea! (Is it just a coincidence that he looks like one of the Men in Black?) Thanks for the report, Patrick!

Four Articles from Magonia

Four Articles from Magonia

The Fortean folks at Magonia have made four more articles available.

Abduction Watch #10: "Digging up the pavement on the road to hell. Includes the latest research on the Nazi UFO question."

Communion Cups and Crashed Saucers pt 3: "And the holy grail of ufology is...the holy grail. Peter Brookesmith reveals all."

Conspiracy update: "Roger Sandell asseses the state of the conspiracy, 1983"

Satanism update: "Roger Sandell examines satanic scares of the early 90s."