most recent 30 from http://www.skepticexchange.org 2010-09-05T23:34:39Z http://www.skepticexchange.org/feeds/tag/skepticism http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/674/how-important-is-the-internet-to-skepticism Awalmo 2010-03-09T03:49:58Z 2010-08-18T16:24:17Z

<p>Although I am Forty-one and have always been interested in science and have been a critical thinker for a long time, until I started listing to skeptical podcasts, I do not think I would have considered myself a skeptic. So, for me, the internet has been a fundamental instrument in my becoming a much more critical thinker and skeptic. </p> <p>How important is the internet to skepticism? </p> <p>How important has the internet been to you as a skeptic?</p>

http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/928/should-i-be-concerned-about-a-dentist-who-rejects-the-use-of-fluoride NReilingh 2010-08-10T21:03:28Z 2010-08-13T08:49:43Z

<p>From what I understand, the majority of concern about fluoride is the result of fearmongering and quackery. Fluoride in high enough levels is harmful, obviously, and the existence of fluoride toothpaste negates the need for an artificially fluoridated water supply (at least for those of us who use fluoridated toothpaste). Do I assume that a dentist who runs a "fluoride-free" office has fallen victim to such nonscientific quackery and thus cannot be trusted with my health and well-being?</p>

http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/779/how-to-argue-for-skepticism Mark Z. 2010-03-31T21:26:26Z 2010-05-25T21:07:11Z

<p>Recently I've gotten into a few discussions about alternative medicine with colleagues and friends, and I came away thinking to myself that I hadn't presented myself optimally. Looking here I only found one question about arguing against personal anecdotes which isn't exactly my dilemma. Sure, it's the most common argument but in all these discussions there was a huge mix of logical fallacies and differing arguments involved. <br> Really, it felt more like arguing for skepticism and a rational, science-based stance towards alt-med and woo rather than against anything in particular. Do you have any thoughts on how to do that without coming across as a snob/naysayer/ass?</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/762/do-entertainers-offer-a-better-way-to-communicate-our-skeptical-message Awalmo 2010-03-28T22:59:51Z 2010-03-30T23:47:27Z

<p>Recently on the SGU (episode <a href="http://www.theskepticsguide.org/sgu.aspx?MasterPodcastId=1" rel="nofollow">245</a>) they played an interview with George Hrab. The point was by one of the SGUers that Hrab and other entertainers are able to reach audiences that more prosaic skeptical blogger and podcasters cannot. Then I heard this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBZNiHOou94" rel="nofollow">comedic treatment</a> of the British libel laws and Simon Singh. Give it a listen, I think you'll like what you hear. Go to the <a href="http://www.geologicpodcast.com/" rel="nofollow">Geologic Podcast</a> too. Its enlightened fun too.</p> <p>Then give me your opinion on the question of diversifying our approach to spreading our message.</p>

http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/730/are-only-non-religious-people-skeptical thursdaysgeek 2010-03-21T22:49:17Z 2010-03-26T02:30:45Z

<p>There is an underlying assumption in the question <a href="http://exchange.bristolskeptics.co.uk/questions/708/how-much-do-you-donate" rel="nofollow">http://exchange.bristolskeptics.co.uk/questions/708/how-much-do-you-donate</a> that this site is for athiests or at least the non-religious. And perhaps, the Darwin fish as an icon is supposed to point to that as well. But many Christians have no problems with evolution, and thus, the Darwin fish is just a picture.</p> <p>However, is it truly logical to infer that only the non-religious are skeptical? I'm skeptical of that assumption.</p>

http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/701/skeptic-exchange-awards-would-it-work Bonobo 2010-03-17T16:03:32Z 2010-03-23T16:51:09Z

<p>I have been thinking if the SE format could be used to create an interactive awards. For example a question can be posted each month (e.g. "Skeptic Exchange Awards - March 2010") and contributors can submit answers as nominations for a person/company/product they think deserves recognition as master in their woo field, they can provide link/references and a summary of why they nominate. You could nominate more than once too. Then contributors can vote up the answer/nominee they think is most deserving, thus by the end of the month the most votes wins.</p> <p>I think this could work and bring a bit of fun to the exchange as well as highlight interesting topics for people to discuss or open up new questions. I think it has relevance and it would mean contributors are rewarded for good skeptic dectective work. It would be in SE guidelines i.e. A relevant question which can be answered.</p> <p>I could just do it anyway but I thought I'd open up the question for suggestions on format or whether people would get involved. Oh and there aren't any prizes, just reputation for the popular answers/nominations.</p> <p><strong>Edit</strong>: I'll give an example of my thoughts</p> <hr> <h2>Q. Skeptic Exchange Awards - March 2010</h2> <p>Please submit your nominations for this months SE award. Please provide a description of why your are nominating this <em>nominee</em> and any helpful links or references that may help voters decide the strenght of your nomination.</p> <h3>A.</h3> <p>I nominate <em>Bonobo</em> for an SE because...Here is a link to an <a href="http://exchange.bristolskeptics.co.uk/posts/701/edit" rel="nofollow">article</a> he wrote on <em>xyz</em> claiming he could do <em>abc</em>. I believe his thoughts/practices are based on woo, quackery and scaremongering for profit and there is reliable <a href="http://exchange.bristolskeptics.co.uk/users/150/bonobo" rel="nofollow">evidence</a> to back up my claim.</p> <h3>A.</h3> <p>I nominate <em>Big Corporation Ltd</em> for an SE because...</p> <h3>etc, etc...</h3> <hr> <p>Now given this format, we as contributors can use the vote up system to <em>vote</em> for the one we feel is our favourite or most deserving of the title. At some point the winning answer can be accepted as the one with the most votes. People can also contribute comments as support or counter claims to help and if people change their mind during the voting time frame they can retract their vote and give to someone else.</p> <p>As stated above a monthly award is just one idea, hope this helps clarify my idea.</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/638/thoughts-on-the-movie-zeitgeist bogatyr 2010-03-02T01:21:36Z 2010-03-14T07:38:45Z

<p>As the question asks, what are your thoughts on the 3 part movie Zeitgeist and it's questioning of the origins of Christianity, 911 and the Federal Reserve Bank of America?</p> <p><em>Has no one watched it?</em> <a href="http://video.google.com.au/videoplay?docid=-594683847743189197&amp;hl=en" rel="nofollow">http://video.google.com.au/videoplay?docid=-594683847743189197&amp;hl=en</a></p>

http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/606/how-many-answers-on-here-are-really-provided-by-experts deacon 2010-02-21T12:21:06Z 2010-03-07T20:15:05Z

<p>Can Skeptic Exchange truthfully describe itself as "A place to ask experts questions..." when literally anyone with internet access can provide an answer? Is it okay that the validity of answers is judged by popular vote than by proof? Does such an approach not ensure stagnation, where the truth is by definition whatever view most of us hold?</p>

http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/632/would-you-be-interested-in-a-contributing-to-a-daily-skeptical-podcast Awalmo 2010-02-27T17:06:46Z 2010-03-06T22:04:16Z

<p>Anyone familiar with the 365 Days of Astronomy would understand the format I am proposing. People would be invited to create skeptical audio podcasts and upload them. The submissions could then be vetted and post-produced similarly to the 365 Days of Astronomy.</p> <p>Let me know what you think.</p>

http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/171/what-skeptical-and-or-atheist-tv-is-out-there Skrivener 2009-12-16T02:24:31Z 2010-01-29T21:41:51Z

<p>I ran across <a href="http://www.atheist-experience.com/" rel="nofollow">The Atheist Experience</a> the other day, which was particularly interesting because of the call-in nature of the show. Brian Dunning of Skeptoid.com also has a video project underway (InFact iirc), Phil Plait of Bad Astronomy has one on the hush hush, and the SGU and friends have Skeptologists. But there aren't many skeptical or atheist TV shows/series out there as far as I can tell. Which ones would you recommend?</p>

http://www.skepticexchange.org/questions/184/is-it-reasonable-to-be-both-a-skeptic-and-a-theist Skrivener 2009-12-16T18:36:36Z 2010-01-02T18:32:55Z

<p>I have my own thoughts on this, but I'm interested to hear others' opinions. If you think the two are compatible, give reasons why, and boundaries on what you think is compatible vs. not. If you think not, then justify that position.</p>