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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.

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These past few months have been tough for me, aside from medical problems. I refer to the fact that I’m losing longtime friends, here in the USA and abroad. The latest of these is Charles Raymond Reynolds, my dear, dear, friend who died November 4th at age 78 of liver cancer. He left behind his dedicated wife, Regina. Charlie was a versatile creator of magical effects, a valued consultant to famous magicians, a very skilled photographer, a producer and director of spectacular magical illusions – both on TV, film, and on the theater stage – and a very close friend of the one-and-only Doug Henning and of both the Harry Blackstones – father and son. He was a confidante of seriously important illusionists who listened when he spoke, changed direction when he so advised them, and incorporated tiny nuances into their featured routines that he devised with uncanny insight and care. Countless optical, mechanical, electronic, and audio cues and twists that Charlie originated are integral parts of marvelous dramas that will never reveal his name but bear his stamp…

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The oppressive nature of UK libel law really should be a matter of great concern to all rationalists, here and abroad.  It is extremely hostile to writers, and unreasonably friendly towards powerful corporations and individuals who want to silence their critics. Our UK friend Simon Singh has – remarkably – won a court decision recently that encourages us to support his efforts to bring about a change in that law (more information about which can be found here). He fought the chiropractic profession over there when they sued him for damages for what they said was libel, and now the JREF is asking that our readers help to promote a move to improve the UK law.

This English libel law is particularly dangerous for bloggers, who are generally not backed by publishers, and who can end up being sued, regardless of where the blog was posted. The Internet allows bloggers to reach a global audience, but it also allows the High Court in London to have a global reach. The campaign we ask you to support is not calling for the removal of libel law, but for a fair libel law which would allow writers a reasonable opportunity to express their opinions and then defend them without undue fear of onerous, unfair reprisal.

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  On December 20, 1996 a star went out in the skeptical heavens - Carl Sagan died. He'd been battling a tencious form of cancer that took his life, but not his legacy. He left behind incredible works such as Demon Haunted World, Pale Blue Dot, the Voyager Golden Record, and of course, the legendary TV series Cosmos.I was honored to be asked to speak at the second annual Carl Sagan Day sponsored by the JREF, CFI Fort Lauderdale, Broward College, FLASH and CASE. Joining me were a number of luminaries including Hal Bidlack, Nicole Gugliucci, Jeffrey Bennett, Russell Romanella, John Boswell, and of course James Randi himself.

Randi was Carl's personal friend of many years. They shared a love of science and discovery, and their differing backgrounds created a symmetry between them. Randi (as well as Jose Alvarez) are mentioned in The Demon Haunted World - Science as a Candle in the Darkness. If you haven't read this book, stop reading this now and go do so. I'll wait.

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Category: Newsflash
Hits: 7987

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.

  1. I GUESS I’M OLDER THAN DIRT
  2. First JREF in the Classroom Module Now Available Free
  3. VACCINES WORK!
  4. PLEASE TAKE NOTE