Stop Sylvia Browne is a single issue website, dedicated to debunking the claims of US psychic Sylvia Browne.
There is a lot of resources for debunking the claims of not only Sylvia Browne, but also other psychics making the same sort of claims.
The website is the effort of Robert S. Lancaster, who unfortunately suffered a stroke last year, and hasn't been updated since Lancaster's stroke.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
The Skeptic Zone
The Skeptic Zone is the podcast from the Australian Skeptics
The history of the podcast is a bit confusing, and I am probably going to explain it wrong, but I'll try. It started out as an internet radio show in 2001 called The Skeptic Tank. This ran until 2002.
In 2005, The Skeptic Tank was revived, and it 2006 it changed its name to The Tank Podcast, before it was turned into a vodcast in 2007, named The Tank Vodcast. Finally, in 2008 it returned to the podcast format, this time under the current name of The Skeptic Zone.
The show tend to comment on current events related to skepticism and the episodes often contains interviews with prominent skeptics from around the world. It also has regular segments such as Dr Rachie Reports, where Dr Rachael Dunlop goes into alternative medicine.
The history of the podcast is a bit confusing, and I am probably going to explain it wrong, but I'll try. It started out as an internet radio show in 2001 called The Skeptic Tank. This ran until 2002.
In 2005, The Skeptic Tank was revived, and it 2006 it changed its name to The Tank Podcast, before it was turned into a vodcast in 2007, named The Tank Vodcast. Finally, in 2008 it returned to the podcast format, this time under the current name of The Skeptic Zone.
The show tend to comment on current events related to skepticism and the episodes often contains interviews with prominent skeptics from around the world. It also has regular segments such as Dr Rachie Reports, where Dr Rachael Dunlop goes into alternative medicine.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Snopes
The premier website for debunking urban legends, Snopes is a very valuable resource for checking the validity of any claims you might come across on the internet.
The editors of Snopes tend to err on the side of caution, and not call a claim "false" unless there is overwhelming evidence for this, yet most of the claims that they have investigated are indeed classified as false.
The editors of Snopes tend to err on the side of caution, and not call a claim "false" unless there is overwhelming evidence for this, yet most of the claims that they have investigated are indeed classified as false.
Good Math, Bad Math
Good Math, Bad Math is the blog of computer scientists Mark Chu-Carroll, and is one of the definite go-to places for math and all things innumerate. It's hosted on ScienceBlogs, and generally tend towards science content rather than skepticism content.
When Mark Chu-Carroll started his blog, he was a regular commenter at Respectful Insolence, and he claims Orac as his blog-father (meaning his main inspiration), so the blog is firmly grounded in skepticism, and he has, among other things, written debunkings of the mathematical claims of the Discovery Institute.
When Mark Chu-Carroll started his blog, he was a regular commenter at Respectful Insolence, and he claims Orac as his blog-father (meaning his main inspiration), so the blog is firmly grounded in skepticism, and he has, among other things, written debunkings of the mathematical claims of the Discovery Institute.
Skeptic North
Skeptic North is a fairly new (it's been up since August) blog written by Canadian skeptics. On the welcome page, the blog is described thus:
While the blog is new, many (all?) of the contributors have been writing and talking about skepticism for much longer, and have already contributed great hard-hitting stuff to the blog.
Skeptic North is the first Canada-wide blog for skeptics. There are currently many localized, and regional groups that have been doing absolute yeoman's work for several years, but there has been no blog with a truly nation-spanning scope and reach.
This is where we come in.
We've cobbled together a rag-tag team of skeptic misfits from across the country to provide you with a one-stop shopping destination for all things Canadian-skeptic related. We're not limited to just Canadian issues, but if it's a skeptical concern in Canada, we'll be covering it.
While the blog is new, many (all?) of the contributors have been writing and talking about skepticism for much longer, and have already contributed great hard-hitting stuff to the blog.
Bad Astronomy
Bad Astronomy is the blog of Phil Plait, who is an astronomer, the author of two books (Bad Astronomy and Death from the Skies!), and the current president of the JREF.
The Bad Astronomy blog is a spin-off of the book by the same name, and focuses mostly on astronomy related subjects - often the pseudo-scientific ones (e.g. moon landing hoax). Occasionally other skeptic subjects will be thrown in as well.
The blog is hosted at the website of the Discover Magazine
Related links:
Bad Astronomy archive
The Bad Astronomy blog is a spin-off of the book by the same name, and focuses mostly on astronomy related subjects - often the pseudo-scientific ones (e.g. moon landing hoax). Occasionally other skeptic subjects will be thrown in as well.
The blog is hosted at the website of the Discover Magazine
Related links:
Bad Astronomy archive
James Randi Educational Foundation
The James Randi Educational Foundation, or the JREF as it's usually called, is one of the major skeptic organizations, and as such their website merits a mention, but even if that hadn't been the case, the website would still be worth mentioning.
The website contains a blog, a forum, and content more closely related to the JREF (e.g. a store). It also contains An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural, which is a great resource on classic subjects in skepticism (ghosts, Uri Geller etc.)
The website contains a blog, a forum, and content more closely related to the JREF (e.g. a store). It also contains An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural, which is a great resource on classic subjects in skepticism (ghosts, Uri Geller etc.)
The Young Australian Skeptics
It's hard to say whether The Young Australian Skeptics is a website or a blog - while the front page is a blog, there is also a forum, and a podcast ("Pseudo Scientists" which I will cover in a later post).
In the end, I'll go with it being both a website and a blog. No rule against a resource belonging to more than one category.
The Young Australian Skeptics, are - as the name says - young, Australian Skeptics, and tend to write about things from a youthful and slightly Australian perspective. They also have a somewhat anti-religious bent.
In the end, I'll go with it being both a website and a blog. No rule against a resource belonging to more than one category.
The Young Australian Skeptics, are - as the name says - young, Australian Skeptics, and tend to write about things from a youthful and slightly Australian perspective. They also have a somewhat anti-religious bent.
Skepticality
Skepticality is the official podcast of the Skeptic Magazine. Hosted by Derek Colanduno and Swoopy.
The podcasts covers current events (from a skeptical point of view) as well as subjects within skepticism. They also have guests on the shows - these guests are often prominent skeptics or scientists.
The podcasts covers current events (from a skeptical point of view) as well as subjects within skepticism. They also have guests on the shows - these guests are often prominent skeptics or scientists.
PodBlack Cat
Internet skepticism has long been dominated by the US, but in the last couple of years, a large continent of skeptics from other countries have emerged. Especially Australia seems to have become prominent in online skepticism. Much of this is due to people like Kylie Sturgess who runs the blog PodBlack Cat.
Kylie Sturgess is an active participant in the both the online and offline skeptical activities: participating in conferences, giving interviews to podcasts and magazines, arranging Perth's Skeptics in the Pub etc. This is of course reflected in her blog, where she will write about these activities, as well as make comments on the broader trends in the skeptic movement (e.g. sexism in the skeptical movement). Having said that, the blog obviously contains much more than that, and should be a daily read for everybody.
When you're at the blog, notice the Essays and Research page, which takes you to links to "blog entries that are more research-based and essay-length". These are great reads.
Kylie Sturgess is an active participant in the both the online and offline skeptical activities: participating in conferences, giving interviews to podcasts and magazines, arranging Perth's Skeptics in the Pub etc. This is of course reflected in her blog, where she will write about these activities, as well as make comments on the broader trends in the skeptic movement (e.g. sexism in the skeptical movement). Having said that, the blog obviously contains much more than that, and should be a daily read for everybody.
When you're at the blog, notice the Essays and Research page, which takes you to links to "blog entries that are more research-based and essay-length". These are great reads.
The 124th Skeptics' Circle is up
Another roundup of the greatest blogging in the skeptical blogosphere has been posted at Beyond the Short Coat
I have described the Skeptics' Circle blog carnival here, but have yet to include the Beyond the Short Coat blog.
I have described the Skeptics' Circle blog carnival here, but have yet to include the Beyond the Short Coat blog.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
RichardDawkins.net
Richard Dawkins is one of the best known atheists on the planet, but he is first and foremost a scientist, and while the RichardDawkins.net website focus to a large degree on atheism, it also contains a lot of science and skepticism resources.
Truthfully, I was considering whether I should include this website or not, since it's closely tied to atheism, rather than science and skepticism, but in the end, I decided that it's better to err on the side of inclusiveness.
Truthfully, I was considering whether I should include this website or not, since it's closely tied to atheism, rather than science and skepticism, but in the end, I decided that it's better to err on the side of inclusiveness.
Don't forget your towel
Don't forget your towel is the YouTube channel of the YouTube user MrUnscientific.
Contrary to his handle, MrUnscientific is actually quite science-focused, and has made a number of good YouTube videos where he presents scientsts and their ideas - especially noteworthy are his Unknown Scientists Who has Changed the World videos, in which he presents scientists whose findings and inventions have had major impact on the world we live in.
Contrary to his handle, MrUnscientific is actually quite science-focused, and has made a number of good YouTube videos where he presents scientsts and their ideas - especially noteworthy are his Unknown Scientists Who has Changed the World videos, in which he presents scientists whose findings and inventions have had major impact on the world we live in.
NeuroLogica Blog
NeuroLogica Blog is the blog of Steve Novella, M.D., and is described as "Your Daily Fix of Neuroscience, Skepticism, and Critical Thinking".
Given Steve Novella's background, it's probably unsurprising that the main focus of the his skepticism is related to medical issues, such as anti-vaccination, alternative medicine, and other types of quackery.
Given Steve Novella's background, it's probably unsurprising that the main focus of the his skepticism is related to medical issues, such as anti-vaccination, alternative medicine, and other types of quackery.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
2012hoax
One of the current hot issues in skepticism at the moment, is the doomsday scenario, where the world gets destroyed in 2012. Fueled by the current Hollywood blockbuster movie, it appears to be of real concern to many people. Eugenie Scott wrote this in a comment to a blogpost Brian Dunning had written:
We saw the same tendencies during the Y2K scare (though that scare actually had some foundation in the truth).
Luckily there is a website dedicated to debunking the 2012 myths, called 2012hoax - Debunking the "2012 Doomsday". Written by people with backgrounds in astronomy, it points out the many factual errors in the doomsday scenarios presented by the 2012 proponents.
A good resource to point to, next time someone starts babbling about how the world is going to end in a couple of years.
Our skeptic friend David Morrison (NASA’s “Ask an astrobiologist”) reports an unusual number of very, very frightened emails from people who have heard the 2012 hype and are worried about impending disaster.
We saw the same tendencies during the Y2K scare (though that scare actually had some foundation in the truth).
Luckily there is a website dedicated to debunking the 2012 myths, called 2012hoax - Debunking the "2012 Doomsday". Written by people with backgrounds in astronomy, it points out the many factual errors in the doomsday scenarios presented by the 2012 proponents.
A good resource to point to, next time someone starts babbling about how the world is going to end in a couple of years.
Friday, November 13, 2009
what's the harm
One of the common questions often raised when debating pseudo-science and anti-science is "what's the harm in [X]" or "what's the harm in people believing in [X]" where [X] stands for the particular pseudo-science or anti-science subject debated at the moment.
The site what's the harm? aims at answering that exact question for a number of subjects such as acupuncture, chiropractic, and HIV/AIDS denial. There are also some more flimsy subjects as "What's the harm in moon landing denial?" It turns out that one person has indeed been harmed because of moon landing denial.
Still, even with the occasional silliness, the site is a great resource.
The site what's the harm? aims at answering that exact question for a number of subjects such as acupuncture, chiropractic, and HIV/AIDS denial. There are also some more flimsy subjects as "What's the harm in moon landing denial?" It turns out that one person has indeed been harmed because of moon landing denial.
Bart is a major proponent of moon hoax misinformation. When he decided to harrass astronaut Buzz Aldrin about it, Buzz fought back. Bart became the recipient of a punch to the face.
Still, even with the occasional silliness, the site is a great resource.
Expelled Exposed
A website created by the National Center for Science Education, which is a US organization dedicated to defending the teaching of evolution in public schools.
Expelled Exposed is dedicated to debunking the falsehoods in the pro-creationism movie Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.
The movie have had very little impact in the US, and even less outside the US, but it's a good resource to know if someone uses that movie as a reference.
Expelled is probable best known for the fact that Richard Dawkins, Eugenie Scott, and PZ Myers were interviewed for it under false premises, and for the fact that PZ Myers was expelled from a screening of the movie (if you haven't read about this, read PZ Myers' post written just after the fact, it's hilarious).
Interestingly, an off-shot of the movie was the creation of Richard Dawkins - Beware the Believers - an animated movie using humor to attack science, which probably have had more views than the actual Expelled movie.
Expelled Exposed is dedicated to debunking the falsehoods in the pro-creationism movie Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.
The movie have had very little impact in the US, and even less outside the US, but it's a good resource to know if someone uses that movie as a reference.
Expelled is probable best known for the fact that Richard Dawkins, Eugenie Scott, and PZ Myers were interviewed for it under false premises, and for the fact that PZ Myers was expelled from a screening of the movie (if you haven't read about this, read PZ Myers' post written just after the fact, it's hilarious).
Interestingly, an off-shot of the movie was the creation of Richard Dawkins - Beware the Believers - an animated movie using humor to attack science, which probably have had more views than the actual Expelled movie.
Skeptoid
Skeptoid is a podcast made by Brian Dunning. The easiest way to introduce Skeptoid is to quote the description on the website
The show started in October, 2006, and there is currently 179 episodes, with a new one added each week.
Skeptoid is a weekly science podcast dedicated to furthering knowledge by blasting away the widespread pseudosciences that infect popular culture.
Each weekly episode focuses on a single phenomenon — an urban legend, a paranormal claim, alternative therapy, or something just plain stupid — that you've heard of, and that you probably believe in. Skeptoid attempts to expose the folly of belief in non-evidence based phenomena, and more importantly, explains the factual scientific reality.
The show started in October, 2006, and there is currently 179 episodes, with a new one added each week.
Bad Science
Bad Science is several things - a book, a column in the Guardian, and Bad Science, all of which are written by Ben Goldacre. The focus of all of these are mostly on bad science reporting and medical issues (Ben Goldacre is a doctor).
Most of the content of the blog is from the Guardian column, and is thus orientated towards issues in the UK. This doesn't mean, however, that the blog isn't worth reading for people outside the UK - the underlying issues are usually global.
Most of the content of the blog is from the Guardian column, and is thus orientated towards issues in the UK. This doesn't mean, however, that the blog isn't worth reading for people outside the UK - the underlying issues are usually global.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Bronze dog
Bronze dog is a skeptic who deals with all sorts of skeptic subjects. He is, however, probably best known for his Doggerel posts, in which he takes on phrases that are "misused, abused, or just plain meaningless."
The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe
The Skeptics Guide to the Universe is a weekly Science podcast produced by the New England Skeptical Society (NESS) in association with the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) : discussing the latest news and topics from the world of the paranormal, fringe science, and controversial claims from a scientific point of view.
This is the description of The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe at their website. While correct, it doesn't quite do it justice. The contributors have an impressive knowledge about the skeptic subjects that the cover in the podcast, and they often have interviews with some of the major voices in skepticism.
The Panda's Thumb
The Panda's Thumb can be considered the blogging arm of TalkOrigins.
The main focus of The Panda's Thumb has always been the fight against intelligent design, especially the misinformation spread by the Discovery Institute, but there are also frequently posts about new developments in biology and related fields.
The original cast of The Pandas Thumb reads like a who's who of early life science bloggers. Not all of these people are still active writing at the blog, but it's still a group blog, with multiple contributors.
The main focus of The Panda's Thumb has always been the fight against intelligent design, especially the misinformation spread by the Discovery Institute, but there are also frequently posts about new developments in biology and related fields.
The original cast of The Pandas Thumb reads like a who's who of early life science bloggers. Not all of these people are still active writing at the blog, but it's still a group blog, with multiple contributors.
Grassroots Skeptics
A resource for connecting skeptics with other skeptics in their local area.
Grassroots Skeptics is a quite new resource (from September, 2009), and so far, it seems mostly to be utilized by US skeptics. Hopefully, it will become more global in reach over time.
Two of the three people behind Grassroots Skeptics also blogs at Skepchick.
Grassroots Skeptics is a quite new resource (from September, 2009), and so far, it seems mostly to be utilized by US skeptics. Hopefully, it will become more global in reach over time.
Two of the three people behind Grassroots Skeptics also blogs at Skepchick.
RealClimate
RealClimate is a blog focusing on anthropogenic global warming and issues related to the debate about this. Written by scientists working within the relevant fields, the agenda of the blog is defined thus:
While they clearly state that they won't go into the political or economic implications, they are quite willing to address falsehoods spread by politicians and economists.
Many global warming deniers claim that RealClimate is biased, since the writers have an economical interest in AGW being real - this is of course complete nonsense, and the site is great resource for not only getting to know about the latest research, but also for answering common claims by AGW deniers.
RealClimate is a commentary site on climate science by working climate scientists for the interested public and journalists. We aim to provide a quick response to developing stories and provide the context sometimes missing in mainstream commentary. The discussion here is restricted to scientific topics and will not get involved in any political or economic implications of the science. All posts are signed by the author(s), except ‘group’ posts which are collective efforts from the whole team.
While they clearly state that they won't go into the political or economic implications, they are quite willing to address falsehoods spread by politicians and economists.
Many global warming deniers claim that RealClimate is biased, since the writers have an economical interest in AGW being real - this is of course complete nonsense, and the site is great resource for not only getting to know about the latest research, but also for answering common claims by AGW deniers.
Skeptico
Skeptico is one of the grand old men of skeptic blogging, having been around since February 2005. He gives the following reason for the existence of his blog:
He posts less frequently than most other bloggers, but when he posts, the posts tend to be long, well researched, and well-argued.
Everyone I meet seems to believe in some irrational nonsense. Anti-vaccination myths, alternative medicine, auras, astrology, ghosts, global consciousness, indigo children, psychics, psychokinesis, reincarnation, religion… the list is endless.
The denialists are just as bad. Evolution deniers want to teach “intelligent design” as though it were science. Global warming deniers (irritatingly, calling themselves "skeptics"), claim global warming isn't real, or isn't caused by humans.
Generically, these things are what skeptics call Woo - pseudo-scientific and often anti-scientific ideas - ideas that are irrational and not based on evidence commensurate with the extraordinary nature of the claim.
I started this site as an antidote to all the woo.
He posts less frequently than most other bloggers, but when he posts, the posts tend to be long, well researched, and well-argued.
Sundays Supplement
Strictly speaking, the Sundays Supplement podcast is not dedicated to neither skepticism nor science, but rather to a humorous take on the supplements in British Sunday newspapers.
The podcast is, however, run by two comics - Simon Dunn and Iszi Lawrence, who are also skeptics, and who will merciless mock any woo or quackery they find in the newspapers.
The show also frequently has guests appearing, such as Rebecca Watson of Skepchick and Richard Wiseman.
So, if you like British humor with a touch of skepticism added, Sundays Supplement is well worth your listen.
The podcast is, however, run by two comics - Simon Dunn and Iszi Lawrence, who are also skeptics, and who will merciless mock any woo or quackery they find in the newspapers.
The show also frequently has guests appearing, such as Rebecca Watson of Skepchick and Richard Wiseman.
So, if you like British humor with a touch of skepticism added, Sundays Supplement is well worth your listen.
Skepchick
Skepchick was created by Rebecca Watson, but is the group effort of 18 writers, of which 17 are female.
Skepchick is, as the name indicates, a skeptic site, and deals with all sorts of skepticism.
The Skepchick site is also know for the pin-up calenders; the Skepchick calender and the Skepdude calender.
There has been talk about a Skepchick podcast, but it hasn't yet taken off.
Skepchick is, as the name indicates, a skeptic site, and deals with all sorts of skepticism.
The Skepchick site is also know for the pin-up calenders; the Skepchick calender and the Skepdude calender.
There has been talk about a Skepchick podcast, but it hasn't yet taken off.
TalkOrigins
Probably the premium website for debunking claims by creationists and the intelligent design crowd. TalkOrigin is an off-shot of the Talk Origins newsgroup on usenet, and much of it's content originates from that newsgroup.
One particular noteworthy feature of TalkOrigins is their An Index to Creationist Claims, which covers just about all claims commonly made by creationists.
The site also has some great resources for learning more about biology.
One particular noteworthy feature of TalkOrigins is their An Index to Creationist Claims, which covers just about all claims commonly made by creationists.
The site also has some great resources for learning more about biology.
Respectful Insolence
Written by a pseudonymous research sturgeon blogger, Orac, Respectful Insolence is one of the top blogs when it comes to skepticism, especially related to pseudo-medicine, such as homeopathy and other types of "alternative medicine". Orac also occasionally writes about Holocaust denial.
Orac has been especially noteworthy in being a vocal participant in first the autism-vaccination debate on the internet and later the fight against the anti-vaccination crowd.
He doesn’t blog much about religion, except when it leads to medical quackery.
Related links:
Archived insolence - the first version of the blog, before it moved to ScienceBlogs
Orac has been especially noteworthy in being a vocal participant in first the autism-vaccination debate on the internet and later the fight against the anti-vaccination crowd.
He doesn’t blog much about religion, except when it leads to medical quackery.
Related links:
Archived insolence - the first version of the blog, before it moved to ScienceBlogs
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Pharyngula
When one talk about science blogs, one cannot get around Pharyngula, which is the flagship blog of the ScienceBlogs, at least when you look at the sheer amount of traffic.
It's run by Dr. P.Z. Myers, a biologist and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris. Myers is a vocal atheist, and is often more known for this aspect of his blogging, but he is also a prolific blogger on the subject of science, though it might not appear so, since the science posts might drown in the sheer amount of blogging he does.
On the front of skepticism, PZ Myers focuses on debunking claims by creationists and the intelligent design crowd, especially those made by the Discovery Institute.
The comment section of Pharyngula is rowdy, and not for the faint-at-heart, but many of the regular commenters are highly knowledgeable on their fields, and it can be a learning experience to read through the comment section, when a scientific conversation is happening.
The finest moment of the Pharyngula commenters was probably when they uncovered plagiarism in a peer-reviewed paper, which seemed to be advocating creationism (a full description of this incident can be found here: Creationism Slips Into a Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Related links:
Pharyngula archives - the content of the original Pharyngula blog, before it moved to ScienceBlogs
It's run by Dr. P.Z. Myers, a biologist and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris. Myers is a vocal atheist, and is often more known for this aspect of his blogging, but he is also a prolific blogger on the subject of science, though it might not appear so, since the science posts might drown in the sheer amount of blogging he does.
On the front of skepticism, PZ Myers focuses on debunking claims by creationists and the intelligent design crowd, especially those made by the Discovery Institute.
The comment section of Pharyngula is rowdy, and not for the faint-at-heart, but many of the regular commenters are highly knowledgeable on their fields, and it can be a learning experience to read through the comment section, when a scientific conversation is happening.
The finest moment of the Pharyngula commenters was probably when they uncovered plagiarism in a peer-reviewed paper, which seemed to be advocating creationism (a full description of this incident can be found here: Creationism Slips Into a Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Related links:
Pharyngula archives - the content of the original Pharyngula blog, before it moved to ScienceBlogs
The Skeptics' Circle
If you don't know much about blogs and blogging, you probably won't know what a blog carnival is. Ben Vershbow gives as good as any definition of blog carnivals as I've ever seen.
source
Perhaps unsurprisingly, skeptic bloggers have their own blog carnival - The Skeptics' Circle - which has been running since February 2005, where it was started by a blogger who called himself St. Nate. St. Nate has unfortunately closed down his blog, but he was one of the early skeptic voices in the blogosphere. Here is his description of how the Skeptics' Circle came to be:
Now, nearly six years after the initial blog carnival, the Skeptics' Circle is still going strong. St. Nate has retired from blogging, but before he did that, he passed on the responsibility of the Skeptics' Circle to Orac, who runs the blog Respectful Insolence.
While the blog carnival is by nature roaming from blog to blog, there is a central blog used for keeping track of it. It's somewhat ironically called Circular Reasoning. On that blog you can find the links to the currently 123 blog carnivals which has gone before, and can see when and where future carnivals will happen.
Disclosure: I have in the past hosted the Skeptics' Circle at two occasions
A blog carnival is like a roving journal, a rotating showcase of interesting writing from around the blogosphere within a particular discipline. Individual bloggers volunteer to host a carnival on their personal blog, acting as chief editor for that edition. It falls to them to collect noteworthy items, and to sort through suggestions from the community, many of which are direct submissions from authors. On the appointed date (carnivals generally keep to a regular schedule) the carnival gets published and the community is treated to a richly annotated feast of new writing in the field.
source
Perhaps unsurprisingly, skeptic bloggers have their own blog carnival - The Skeptics' Circle - which has been running since February 2005, where it was started by a blogger who called himself St. Nate. St. Nate has unfortunately closed down his blog, but he was one of the early skeptic voices in the blogosphere. Here is his description of how the Skeptics' Circle came to be:
It all started a couple of weeks ago, when I surfed through three consecutive blogs that repeated the story about Bill Gates's Teen Beat photo spread. Then I became curious - I started to wonder if there were other people out there interested in counterbalancing the urban legends with critical thought. Like a true skeptic, I was driven by curiosity instead of doubt and I would only accept answers from evidence.
Tonight, I'm glad to say there are definitely a lot of bloggers interested in using their online forums to examine fads, solve mysteries, and correct misinformation. My vision has become a reality in a rather short space of time. So, with no further ado, it is my pleasure to host the First Skeptics' Circle.
Now, nearly six years after the initial blog carnival, the Skeptics' Circle is still going strong. St. Nate has retired from blogging, but before he did that, he passed on the responsibility of the Skeptics' Circle to Orac, who runs the blog Respectful Insolence.
While the blog carnival is by nature roaming from blog to blog, there is a central blog used for keeping track of it. It's somewhat ironically called Circular Reasoning. On that blog you can find the links to the currently 123 blog carnivals which has gone before, and can see when and where future carnivals will happen.
Disclosure: I have in the past hosted the Skeptics' Circle at two occasions
A quick introduction to this blog
This is a new project that I've started, which I intend to be a resource for people who wants to find good skeptic and science resources on the internet. My intention is to write posts which introduces skeptic and science blogs, organizations, websites, YouTube channels, and podcasts, perhaps with a few posts about books, people, and magazines thrown in.
While I am an atheist, and think this follows naturally from skepticism, I am aware that not all skeptics, or scientists for that matter, are atheists, and I am certainly aware that not all atheists are skeptics. This means that while I might link to resources run by atheists, I will not link to them because of their atheistic content, but rather because of their science and skeptic content.
Since the phrase "skeptic" has been co-opted by some very anti-science groups, I should probably mention that anti-science and pseudo-science groups, such as (but not limited to) anthropogenic global warming deniers or anti-vaccination organizations, won't be linked from this blog. In the rare cases where I might link to a resource which espouses such views in some cases, I'll make this very clear in the description.
I am hoping to post content several times a week, time permitting.
If you know of a resource that you think would fit well, don't hesitate to send it to me. Self promotion is very welcome, but I do ask that you disclosure any conflict of interest you might have.
While I am an atheist, and think this follows naturally from skepticism, I am aware that not all skeptics, or scientists for that matter, are atheists, and I am certainly aware that not all atheists are skeptics. This means that while I might link to resources run by atheists, I will not link to them because of their atheistic content, but rather because of their science and skeptic content.
Since the phrase "skeptic" has been co-opted by some very anti-science groups, I should probably mention that anti-science and pseudo-science groups, such as (but not limited to) anthropogenic global warming deniers or anti-vaccination organizations, won't be linked from this blog. In the rare cases where I might link to a resource which espouses such views in some cases, I'll make this very clear in the description.
I am hoping to post content several times a week, time permitting.
If you know of a resource that you think would fit well, don't hesitate to send it to me. Self promotion is very welcome, but I do ask that you disclosure any conflict of interest you might have.
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