most recent 30 from http://www.skepticexchange.org 2010-09-05T23:42:12Z http://www.skepticexchange.org/feeds/tag/activism http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/409/is-being-gay-lesbian-bisexual-or-transgender-unnatural Skrivener 2010-01-23T21:50:40Z 2010-07-11T01:46:08Z

<p>A favorite argument of conservatives and even moderates against LGBT culture and acceptance is that same-sex partnerships or gender reassignment are unnatural. Is this the case? Feel free to address examples in nature, requirement of surgery or medication, effects on society, historical bases, etc. This is an issue on which extensive information is available I am sure.</p>

http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/472/should-skeptics-atheists-publicly-debate-woo-proponents-believers Brian Gregory 2010-01-29T17:53:57Z 2010-04-04T19:31:03Z

<p>It seems that every few months there is a great big stir whenever some prominent atheist or skeptic publicly debates some prominent believer or woo proponent, such as last October when Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry took on MP Ann Widdecombe and Nigerian Archbishop Onaiyekan about whether "The Catholic Church is a force for good in the world." and again now that there is an upcoming public debate in March with Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Jean Houston, Dr. Michael Shermer, and Dr. Sam Harris called "Does God have a Future?" </p> <p>I enjoy watching these debates as do many people both skeptic and believer alike, but the question seems to always be if any good is done by them? Do they only serve to reinforce opinions for people that already have them? If so, does it legitimize and popularize opinions and agendas that would be better left alone? (for skeptics) </p> <p>As they say, "there is no bad publicity", so would it be better to not "waste time" debating believers?</p> <p>Discuss.</p>

http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/652/is-the-world-economy-nothing-more-than-a-grand-pyramid-system-and-if-so-does-that Travelling Show and Tell Man 2010-03-06T17:54:05Z 2010-04-01T07:39:18Z

<p>Is this how the world works? Alternatively is the world a giant game of monopoly in which one player is bound to win if you play to infinity?</p> <p>By way of explanation / background - this idea began as a childish idea in the early days of the internet when you couldn't move for offers of "paid-to-read email systems or some concept called "Matrices" and "repeating matrices" and MLM marketing.</p> <p>Essentially (even if you offer a purchasable commodity usually an e-book) the underlying purpose was a pyramid system. this got me thinking that a pyramid system with a finite membership base was sustaining only by the recruitment of new members or old members reinvesting. this is clearly similar to how the world operates. Any examination of GDP / GNP and population graphs would assist me here. Website addresses would be good too.</p> <p>I have an idea of an answer to this question, but I would dearly appreciate any ideas people may have.</p> <p><strong>I will post my own attempt at an answer after this question has been up for one week, which if nothing else I hope will be mildly intriguing / entertaining or otherwise diverting</strong></p>

http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/664/should-there-be-a-skeptic-nexus Skrivener 2010-03-07T05:16:18Z 2010-03-30T18:49:23Z

<p>Original Question: Where should the regulars of SE gather (online)?</p> <p>What's the best place for skeptics, or at least SE regulars, to gather outside of the Q&amp;A format to discuss OT issues or get into meta-talk about the site, skepticism, activism, and related topics? I'm speaking online because of the diverse locations of the people posting on the site.</p> <p>Edit: How about the best place for general skeptical discussion and community? Are there communities along the lines of Atheist Nexus or Think|Atheist for skeptics?</p> <p><strong>Edit: Extending and revising the question - Should there be a Skeptic Nexus?</strong></p> <p>For those who don't know, Atheist Nexus is a large online community of atheists based on the <a href="http://www.ning.com/" rel="nofollow">Ning</a> social networking platform, with about 15000 members. It allows blogging, messaging, discussion, etc., but in particular has strong internal group features - so that members can form groups within the network based upon their own affiliations and separate communities, for example "Brights", "Atheist Alliance International", "Fans of XYZ Podcast", etc. It's a way to build community around existing communities. Would a similar thing for skeptics be just another place to have to look, or a good way to build a larger collaboration among the various skeptic communities?</p>

http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/274/why-is-the-skeptical-movement-such-a-sausage-fest rjstelling 2010-01-08T14:48:02Z 2010-03-19T16:41:47Z

<p>Does the skeptical movement need to encourage more women and ethnic-minorities?</p> <p>Apart form a few (very) notable exceptions:</p> <ul> <li>Kat Akingbade (<a href="http://twitter.com/KatAkingbade1" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a>)</li> <li>Hayley Stevens (<a href="http://twitter.com/hayleystevens" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a>)</li> <li>Rebecca Watson (<a href="http://twitter.com/RebeccaWatson" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a>) and <a href="http://skepchick.org/blog/" rel="nofollow">Skepchick</a></li> </ul> <p>The community is largely composed of white middle-class/professional men.</p> <p>While in comparison the <em>other side</em> seems to have plenty of women.</p> <p>Is this due to woo-advertising targeting women? Poor science education for girls at school?</p>

http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/413/is-the-fluoridation-of-drinking-water-harmful Skrivener 2010-01-24T17:22:34Z 2010-03-05T17:03:51Z

<p>A couple of years ago the town (in America) I live in voted down a plan to fluoridate the water supply. I was stunned when well-funded naysayers were trucked in from around the country by hysterical locals desperate to fend off this "terrible" plan. Arguments I have seen used against fluoridation range from the far-fetched (government mind-control conspiracies) through to the supposedly scientific (the fluoride will hurt you). Are there any merits to these arguments? Do the benefits outweigh any risks?</p>

http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/410/what-causes-autism Skrivener 2010-01-24T04:12:42Z 2010-02-04T20:08:25Z

<p>Is it the oft-cited thimerasol of the antivax crowd? Genetics? Some other environmental influence? What does the science say?</p>

http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/400/why-do-we-use-the-term-alternative-medicine Skrivener 2010-01-22T19:13:32Z 2010-02-03T20:21:46Z

<p>We use "pseudoscience", not "alternative science", so why "alternative medicine"? Wouldn't it be more reflective and better PR-wise to use "pseudomedicine"? Is there a factual difference that makes this incorrect?</p>

http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/332/where-around-the-world-are-1023-events-happening rjstelling 2010-01-15T15:46:27Z 2010-01-25T23:38:03Z

<p>On Saturday, January 30th 2010 and mass UK-wide event will take place organised by <a href="http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/" rel="nofollow">Merseyside Skeptics</a> and the people at <a href="http://www.1023.org.uk/" rel="nofollow">10:23</a>.</p> <p>More details will be emerging in the next week, in the mean time feel free to list your event below. </p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.1023.org.uk/the-1023-overdose-event.php" rel="nofollow">OFFICIAL 10:23 Campaign Event page.</a></strong></p> <p><strong>Press Coverage:</strong></p> <p>Times, <a href="http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/columnists/article6994273.ece" rel="nofollow">"No cure for the credulous"</a><br /> Telegraph, <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7028989/Boots-hit-by-mass-homeopathy-overdose.html" rel="nofollow">"Boots hit by mass homeopathy 'overdose'"</a><br /> Derren Brown, <a href="http://derrenbrown.co.uk/blog/2010/01/sceptics-part-mass-homeopathic-overdose/" rel="nofollow">"SCEPTICS TAKING PART IN MASS HOMEOPATHIC ‘OVERDOSE’"</a><br /> Richard Dawkins, <a href="http://richarddawkins.net/articles/4934" rel="nofollow">"The 10:23 Event"</a> </p>

http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/311/what-are-the-current-opportunities-for-skeptical-activism Skrivener 2010-01-12T17:53:05Z 2010-01-18T03:04:28Z

<p>I'm thinking along the lines of rallies, advertising campaigns, and so on, but please add anything else appropriate. This ought to be dynamic, so wikifi/edit away. Make sure to include location (esp. country), dates, contact information, and any other relevant information.</p>

http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/252/what-is-the-1023-ten23-campaign Skrivener 2010-01-05T19:42:20Z 2010-01-16T02:40:37Z

<p>Please describe this campaign, its goals, and how to get involved.</p>