Skeptical Parenting: Fighting Woo At Play Group
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- Written by Timothy Groth
- Category: Swift
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Despite the revelation of Doctor Andrew Wakefield’s study not only being flawed but outright fraudulent, there still exist parents who question the vaccinations that have safely and effectively helped protect children for decades. The campaign of disinformation and celebrity supporters has muddied the understanding. Likewise, the increased presence of homeopathy, naturopathy and similar “alternative” medical treatments has started leading parents to pursue these to treat their children’s ailments. Playgroups, parenting boards, and other places where parents get together and talk about their kids are fertile ground for nonsense to spread.
The problem with stopping it by speaking up is that parenting advice, especially unsolicited and counter to what you think works, is one of the top annoyances of parents. From all directions, parents (especially of young children) are bombarded with unsolicited advice and unwanted commentary on their parenting. Adding to this irritating drone is not productive, even if you’re right
Comforting News About Our Departed Celebrities
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- Written by James Randi
- Category: Swift
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Yes, Sylvia Browne has yet another book out, one which she might even have written herself! There are certain magical aspects to it even when you first lay eyes on the cover. Sylvia has apparently undergone an enchanted transformation, losing at least 30 years! The book is Afterlives of the Rich and Famous, and features several accounts of celebrities who've passed away, and what they're up to in heaven. Wow!
You see, Sylvia’s “spirit guide” Francine communicates the messages of the deceased celebrities to her. Francine speaks with such luminaries as James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, and Michael Jackson. Browne recently explained such burning matters as the afterlife, where heaven is, exactly, and some heady predictions she has for the upcoming year. She even handled the question about those phony psychics who use the same techniques she does:
"Oh, please. Some of them play a guessing game. One "psychic" I saw got up there and was like, "Does anyone here drive a truck?" I was like, "C'mon!" That's what we call a generalized cold reading, like when someone says they're sensing the initial "D." Or to say you're going from darkness into light. It's just nuts."
Video: Special Discussion Panel from TAM2
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- Written by JREF
- Category: Amazing Meeting
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In an effort to make our extensive video library available online free of charge, The James Randi Educational Foundation is posting high quality digital video lectures and sessions from previous Amaz!ng Meetings and other events on randi.org. Check back often to see the latest video content.
This esteemed panel, featuring some of the leading figures in science and skepticism, addresses audience questions at The Amaz!ng Meeting 2. The panel covers women and minorities in skepticism, skepticism and faith, critical thinking education, and more. Panel participants include Penn & Teller, James Randi, Phil Plait, Eugenie Scott, Michael Shermer, Steven Barret, and others.
Last Week at Science-Based Medicine
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- Written by Harriet Hall, MD (The SkepDoc)
- Category: Newsflash
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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.
Those Spooky Photos Are Back...
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- Written by James Randi
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Dr. Mikita Brottman, 45, is a professor of humanities at the Maryland Institute College of Art. She is Oxford-educated and widely published.
The Chronicle of Higher Education – based in Washington, D.C. – states that it is the major news service in the United States academic world.
A news item the Chronicle featured this week concerns a show at the Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. The article – written by Professor Brottman – is titled, “Psychic Projections/Photographic Impressions: Paranormal Photographs from the Jule Eisenbud Collection on Ted Serios," a display of some 60 examples of how rationality can be easily abandoned when a sufficiently attractive woo-woo subject is brought up and dignified by such individuals, colleges, and media outlets.
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