• “The Revisionaries” PBS Documentary on Texas Textbooks

    Updated: 2013-01-30 01:19:14
    If you’ve been following the ongoing saga over the years that is the Texas Board of Education and their textbook adoption process, then you no doubt understand that there has been a far-right conservative faction of people who have attempted to push their ideology (including creationism) into Texas public schools.  Now the recent history of [...]

  • Steven Novella Takes On Some of the Oldest Clichés About Scientific Skepticism—Again

    Updated: 2013-01-29 18:56:55
    Daniel Loxton recommends a recent Steven Novella post about the scope of scientific skepticism, and shares some personal thoughts in response.

  • Up-Goer Five and Science Communication

    Updated: 2013-01-28 13:07:36
    Do you think you could communicate a scientific concept to a general audience using only the 1,000 most commonly used words? A thousand words sounds like a lot, but is it? Clearly this would not allow for the use of specialized scientific jargon, which is the point. A good science communicator should be able to [...]

  • “An Honest Liar: The Amazing Randi” Kickstarter Campaign

    Updated: 2013-01-27 03:08:15
    One of my biggest skeptical heroes is James Randi.  He is a small man with a big laugh, an even bigger heart, and an even bigger love for the pursuit of skeptical analysis into all manner of paranormal, mystical, or odd-ball claims.  For Randi, no questions are off limits and skepticism knows no bounds; he [...]

  • Question of the Week: Space Exploration or Ocean Exploration?

    Updated: 2013-01-25 11:32:59
    This post is devoted to the question we asked on Episode 75 of The Pseudoscientists podcast: Which frontier should our scientific endeavours aim to conquer next: outer space or the ocean? Give us your answers in the comments, and our favourite (as well as...

  • The Pseudoscientists Episode 75 — Cannabis strokes, gun control, more DNA storage and cults, with Jonathan Meddings

    Updated: 2013-01-25 11:32:19
    Belinda and Sarah are joined by special guest Jonathan Meddings to check up on the state of DNA information storage, investigate a possible link between cannabis usage and strokes in young people, and some issues surrounding gun control. Jargonauts goes ethical with the phrase "moral turpitude", and your thoughts on the distinction between cults and religions. Next week's question: "Which frontier should our scientific endeavors aim to conquer next: outer space or the ocean?"

  • Why the Moon Landings Couldn’t Have Been Faked

    Updated: 2013-01-25 00:22:07
    At 13 minutes, this isn’t necessarily in the same time-commitment camp as a 24 second viral clip of a baby punching a kitten, or whatever people like watching these days, but I’ll guarantee it’s at least as entertaining. YouTuber (and...

  • Question of the Week: Religions vs Cults

    Updated: 2013-01-19 13:09:05
    This post is devoted to the question we asked on Episode 74 of The Pseudoscientists podcast: What is the difference between a religion and a cult? Give us your answers in the comments, and our favourite (as well as the most interesting)...

  • The Pseudoscientists Episode 74 — Bushfires, flu vaccines, fire ant chromosomes and anti-vaccination free speech

    Updated: 2013-01-19 13:07:16
    Jack, Belinda and Rachael are once again on their own to talk about Australian bushfires and telescopes, why pregnant women should definitely get the flu vaccine, and how a weird supergene controls the social structure of fire ants. Jargonauts delves into "homozygous", "heterozygous" and "hemizygous", while your opinions about anti-vaccination literature and free speech are discussed - as well as a brief trip On The Street in Sydney with the help of Luke Freeman. Next week's question: "What is the difference between a religion and a cult?"

  • Critical Thinking Video Series

    Updated: 2013-01-16 04:03:32
    A while back I stumbled across this fantastic series of videos on critical thinking. They are an essential crash course in basic logic, critical thinking and great for explaining what logical fallacies are. Although they are a great resource for...

  • Question of the Week: Antivaccination Literature and Free Speech

    Updated: 2013-01-11 13:01:22
    Should antivaccination literature be banned, because it potentially harms people, or allowed, to protect free speech? Give us your answers in the comments, and our favourite (as well as the most interesting) responses will be read out and discussed on the show next week!

  • The Pseudoscientists Episode 73 — Genetically-modified organisms, wrinkly fingers, newborn language and spiritual care

    Updated: 2013-01-11 00:59:59
    Belinda, Rachael and Jack set their sights on misconceptions surrounding genetically-modified organisms, why our fingers get wrinkly in the bath, and a study that investigates the language-acquisition skills of newborn babies. Jargonauts enlightens everyone about the word "quiescent", and we look at both your thoughts on spirituality and end-of-life care, as well as the opinions of Sydney's citizens on the issue. Next week's question: "Should antivaccination literature be banned, because it potentially harms people, or allowed, to protect free speech?"

  • 20 Skeptics You Should Know: Daniel Loxton

    Updated: 2013-01-11 00:11:40
    I'm not saying that anyone has plans to make a computer game about superhero skeptics. But if there was one, Daniel Loxton would be the penultimate Big Bad and would require double-checking of the save game slot before you walk into his innocent-looking Canadian den of art and wonder and spot his bookish figure pouring over historical tomes.

  • The Pseudoscientists — International Young Skeptics Hangout

    Updated: 2013-01-09 13:18:02
    Belinda and Jack are joined by American skeptics and atheists Astrid Lydia Johannsen and Ellen Lundgren from the Skeptic Freethought blogging network to discuss various issues related to young people in the skeptical and secular communities.

  • Accepting the Reality of Climate Change

    Updated: 2013-01-08 10:30:33
    Who here started off skeptical the first time they heard of anthropogenic global warming (AGW)? I certainly did. It was a big bombshell that had huge consequences and I felt I needed more evidence. So I looked at the arguments...

  • A Skeptical Humanist Wedding Reading

    Updated: 2013-01-05 08:20:41
    When most people think of skeptics, the last thing they would think of is weddings, romance and poetry. My lovely wife, Joni, and I got married back in July. My brother did the honours as he is a Baptist minister....

  • Question of the Week: Spiritual Care

    Updated: 2013-01-04 20:41:42
    This post is devoted to the question we asked on Episode 72 of The Pseudoscientists podcast: How important is spirituality in end-of-life care? Give us your answers in the comments, and our favourite (as well as the most interesting) responses will...

  • The Pseudoscientists Episode 72 — The Big Bang Theory, asparagus, archaea and fonts, with Ben Vernel

    Updated: 2013-01-04 00:46:33
    Jack, Sarah and Belinda are joined by YAS writer and comedian Ben Vernel to rip into science-themed sitcom The Big Bang Theory, find out why fonts can hinder your learning, why asparagus might help fight hangovers and why archaea are cool, and discuss spiritual care for terminal patients.

  • International Young Skeptics Hangout — This Weekend!

    Updated: 2013-01-04 00:14:53
    Thanks to the inadvertent rallying power of Stephanie Zvan at Almost Diamonds — who very kindly wrote about our relaunch the other day — the Young Australian Skeptics is thrilled to announce that we’ll be collaborating with two other youth-focused, skeptical blogging groups...

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