This Week In Doubtful News
- Details
- Written by Sharon Hill
- Category: Swift
- Hits: 6877
Plenty of GOOD news this week that I'm happy to share.
First, a skeptical hero helps two elderly people who come into his store avoid internet scams.
Another story shows that when you prime your community to watch for scams, they recognize and avoid them. Remember the story of the magical chocolate in Norway? Well the makers of Xocai got the message, now they are gone thanks to skeptical activism.
'Tis the Season... of Reason!
- Details
- Written by James Randi
- Category: Latest JREF News
- Hits: 7153
Friends,
As we come to the end of another bang-up year here at the JREF, I want to update you on our work and ask that you renew your support.
Over half of our annual support comes during this critical year-end period and we couldn't continue fighting charlatans and promoting critical thinking without it. This year, we’re asking you to help us raise a total of $300,000 to support our unique educational mission in 2013.
Please donate now to help us meet this goal.
The JREF is an independent non-profit and all donations are used for the sole purpose of promoting critical thinking to the public and advancing the skeptical cause. In just the past year:
Last Week In Science-Based Medicine
- Details
- Written by Dr. Harriet Hall
- Category: Swift
- Hits: 8515
Here is a recap of the stories that appeared last week at Science-Based Medicine, a multi-author skeptical blog that separates the science from the woo in medicine.
“Moneyball,” the 2012 election, and science- and evidence-based medicine (David Gorski) http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/moneyball-the-2012-election-and-science-and-evidence-based-medicine/ Moneyball refers to the use of statistical techniques to pick players for a team rather than relying on the opinions of baseball experts. There are many parallels between evidence-based baseball, political polls, and evidence-based medicine. Data-driven approaches need not be in conflict with contextualized judgment, but they show that the opinions of experts often conflict with the evidence.
Skeptic Magazine Turns 20!
- Details
- Written by James Randi
- Category: Swift
- Hits: 6468
This week, Michael Shermer marks 20 years of Skeptic Magazine's publication, and I must say that I've been very flattered to appear there regularly. The scope of the publication is rather awesome, and I'm sure we're all proud that Michael has also been honored by having a regular column in Scientific American, as well.
Enough can never be said about maintaining a skeptical stance when it comes to claims, news items, and popular press flaunting of fantastic claims that only feed the public's hunger for nonsense. Skeptic Magazine has assiduously monitored such material for these last two decades, and Michael has subsequently turned out books that belong on all library shelves.
The James Randi Educational Foundation applauds this fine periodical and looks forward to seeing it continue as a beacon of both common sense and serious science. Please consider giving gift subscriptions to Skeptic Magazine the next time you need to provide a reasonable sign of your recognition in some young person's life. We'll all be better off for that action.
Until 2022, when I just may still be around, congratulations to Michael Shermer and Skeptic Magazine!
James Randi is the founder of the James Randi Educational Foundation.
What To Do If Your Doctor Sells Woo
- Details
- Written by Dr Steven Novella
- Category: Swift
- Hits: 12228
One frequently asked question I receive on a regular basis poses the following dilemma - a skeptic is seeing a physician or therapist who generally seems reasonable and science-based, but then also dabbles in clear woo. What's a skeptic to do?
This is a distressing situation. First let me be clear - I think it is irresponsible and unprofessional for a physician to offer advice or interventions that are pseudoscientific. Obviously there is a spectrum from established standard of care treatments all the way to fringe magical rituals, with a vast grey zone in between. What does it say about a practitioner that they offer an intervention definitely toward the magical end of the spectrum?
Page 91 of 408