Happy birthday to #philosopher Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) who, amongst other things speculated about a teapot orbiting in space. This lino block print of Russell's Teapot is part of my series of Imaginary Friends of Science of charismatic thought experiments. In this case, the alledged china teapot, in orbit between Earth & Mars is an analogy by the philosopher to make the case that the philosophic burden of proof 🧵
⠀ #linocut#printmaking#SciArt#MastoArt#philosophy#skepticism#Imaginary
For a superstitious lot such as our society I’m thinking Bermuda Air’s logo is a little too close to a triangle…if you know what I mean… #aviation#humor#skepticism
People who are a part of cults, like the Jehovah's Witnesses, are not necessarily stupid, they're just human, and as such are emotional creatures who are subject to emotional manipulation, like the kinds discussed in this video. #atheism#atheist#christianity#religion#skepticism
@david_colquhoun Very sorry to hear that. Hope Sokal distances himself publicly from the Free Speech Union now. For years I have referred to myself as Sokal Academic Left, that is, Lefties in #academia who put the pursuit of solid factual knowledge over furthering political goals in our work.
UAP Investigation with Public Data (ScienceWriters2023)
by Mick West
Did you know the maker of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater is also a persuasive skeptic about unexplained phenomena? This little tidbit from #ScienceWriters2023 gives a taste of one neglected area of scientific inquiry. Why are things this way and how it could be different? What are the structural factors shaping our understanding and our communication about the issue?
I recently saw a mentalist show where the guy pulled off very impressive tricks that appeared to be psychic powers of prediction. Of course like James Randi he was clear that he has no special powers it is all slight of hand. I used to say that my biggest problem with psychics/mediums was them bilking vulnerable desperate people of money. But watching these displays I'd say it is even more insidious than that. #skeptic#skepticism The Most Brutal Psychic Fail Compilation Pt. 2
Have you ever wondered why Christians demonize the LGBT community? Or why they claim that Pokemon is a sign of Satan? Or how religion has affected politics? Or what insane right-wing televangelists are up to?
@georgetakei What may seem like a laughable comical farce gets a lot more morbid and horrific when you look up the history of the scammer behind them. This isn't the first time they've tried this.
"I Should Not Allow Myself to be Scared": Narendra Dabholkar on Facing Threats from Religious Organisations
In this extract from the first volume of the translation, titled 'The Case for Reason: Understanding the Anti-superstition Movement', Dabholkar recounts the pressures he faced from religious organisations, such as the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and Sanatan Sanstha as well as by members of the BJP and Shiv Sena. (From August 2018)
@indianewswatch I find the quote "They only target Hindus" mildly humorous. I've heard the same about Christians and about Muslims. It's just a demonstration that they have a biased understanding of skeptics. #skepticism#atheism
My colleague Jason Colavito provides important context for those sensational “alien spacecraft” claims.
"Grusch may well be telling the truth about hearing these stories, but the stories were old when ‘The X-Files’ was new. Congress must do better than take them at face value."
Aunty Donna Podcast
Factually! with Adam Conover
God Awful Movies
improv4humans
Judge John Hodgman
Knowledge Fight
Some More News
Threedom
You Are Not So Smart
"If someone claims to have seen a witch fly across the night sky on a broom, are skeptics obligated to investigate the evidence for this claim before rejecting it as silly nonsense?"
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In all affairs — love, religion, politics or business — it’s a healthy idea, now and then, to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.
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"Skepticism about pretty much everything is baked into my family lineage": a conversation with Derek Beres (barbaragenova.substack.com)
Sit down with Conspirituality's co-host and author, learn A LOT about what you should not ask wellness to Do For You.