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The various ideas and interventions that are gathered under the broad umbrella of "alternative" medicine range the spectrum from plausible but untested to demonstrable nonsense (paraphrased from Barry Beyerstein). The only thing they have in common is that they are not adequately supported by scientific evidence.

I have a fascination with the demonstrable nonsense end of the spectrum. Such beliefs tell us something interesting - not about medicine or illness, but about the power of ignorance and self-deception. They teach us about the futility of testimonials and the need for rigorous science.

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Chris Johnson, who is spearheading the multimedia project The Atheist Book has involved both Randi and me in the effort, as well as Michael Shermer, Sean Carroll, Patricia Churchland, and many others.

While the JREF is not an atheist organization per se, many of the organization’s staff, volunteers and supporters do tend to lack belief in a god or gods, in addition to their thoroughgoing skepticism of ghosts, psychic powers and other paranormal beliefs. Possibly this is because many of the same methods of inquiry that lead one to be skeptical of ghosts or psychics or other paranormal claims may be applied to religious claims, resulting in a sort of no-nonsense religious skepticism.

As part of his book project, Chris Johnson is producing video interviews of its contributors. He interviewed me last week in Los Angeles regarding some of the existential issues related to religious skepticism. The same sort of realizations that I think make life meaningful in a universe without God also have implications for those who turn to the paranormal for meaning and purpose in life, rather than accepting the world for the way it is: devoid of any good evidence for magical entities and realms.

When people turn to the supernatural or the paranormal and reject the real world, their lives are diminished. This goes for those who live in an imaginary world populated by the ghosts of deceased loved ones, or psychic forces that variously act on their behalf or against them, those who turn to occult explanations of coincidence and of painful life-events, and those who believe that there is a supernatural “secret” to attaining one’s most ambitious desires.

Here is a short clip from my interview with Chris Johnson.

Randi also did an extended interview for the book at his home outside of Ft. Lauderdale. A great clip from that interview can be found here:

D.J. Grothe is president of the James Randi Educational Foundation and host of the interview show For Good Reason.

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James RandiDear Friend,

As Thanksgiving approaches here in the United States, and we gather with loved ones, I can't help but pause and reflect on the work we do at the JREF, and how grateful we all are for the support from folks like yourself.

Concerned and dedicated skeptics and science advocates like you drive all the work we do combatting unreason and promoting critical thinking at the grassroots, in classrooms, at conferences, in the media, and on our speaking tours.

And as we look to the year ahead, I know that our work will continue to be difficult. Promoting skepticism is in many ways an uphill battle — but it is so worthwhile. And I also know that with your continued support we are ready for the challenges ahead.

So from all of us at the JREF, and from my family to yours, I want to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,

Randi's signature

James Randi

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Hill01It is at this point a lamentable mantra among those interested in getting good science to the masses: the science on TV sucks. Some gems stick out (Mythbusters, How the Universe Works, NOVA), but no matter how much they gleam, they are tarnished by a smothering array of nonsense (Dr. Oz, Mermaids: The Body Found, Ghost Hunters, Ancient Aliens, etc.).

It's a surprise to see any critical or skeptical takes on television, and when we do it is indeed a small victory (Steve Novella in the land of Oz, Nightline’s Beyond Belief). But these are rare. Most of the time we bang our heads against the wall (more like fingers against the keyboard) in protest of the latest nonsense filling the airwaves.

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Skeptics are among those expected to attend a freethought conference to be held in Accra, Ghana this weekend. The event is the first of its kind- in the history of the country- and is expected to focus on issues and themes of interested to critical thinkers and some of the challenges facing skeptics in the world’s most religious nation.

Like in other countries in sub Saharan Africa, skeptics in Ghana have an uphill task in terms of combating the negative influence of dogma, unreason and blind faith. Belief in superstition is strong and permeates the local thought and culture. Supernatural and paranormal beliefs are widespread, and impact negatively on the lives of the people.

One of the urgent superstitions in Ghana is the belief in witchcraft. Elderly women are often accused of using witchcraft and magic to cause diseases and deaths in their families. These women are attacked, exiled or lynched. In the northern region of Ghana, there are at least six make shift camps where some of these women take refuge to avoid being killed by local mobs, family or community members.

Recently the authorities in Ghana have come under immense international pressure to close down the camps following media report on the plight, abuse and exploitation of women living in these make shift shelters.

But the efforts of the government have so far not yeilded any result. This is mainly due to strong opposition and concerns that such a move would mean sending these women home only for them to be summarily executed.

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