One of the common misconceptions that religious and spiritual people sometimes have about atheists like me is the belief that we do not experience awe. I once had a dear friend ask me “How can you not believe in anything bigger than yourself?” I laughed when he said it, and said that the universe was big enough for me, thank you very much. I can understand why some religious people mig... »
Most of you reading this blog are probably against anti-science, anti-intellectual bullshit from the right wing/Republicans; they don’t) (generally) believe in evolution, or the big bang, or stem cell research. There is, however, a complementary strain of bullshit-enthusiasm coming from the left, and we need to be just as skeptical. From vaccine conspiracies to throat chakras causing thyroid... »
This semester, I’m taking what is probably the worst course I have to take in order to become a biologist: parasitology. First class consisted of an hour and a half of Ascaris lumbricoides, look it up (or, you know, don’t). First month will consist solely of helminthes, which are worm-like parasites. And the professor comes nowhere near the social issues that are involved or the awareness and educ... »
*cross-posted from Teen Skepchick* Since most of our readers are science nerds (or at least know something about science and evolution), I’m sure it’s not news to you that tomorrow is International Darwin Day! If you’re not familiar with the celebration, I guess I’ll take the several minutes to explain what’s going on. Because I love you guys. Charles Darwin was born ... »
A few days ago, Harriet Hall wrote a post on Science-Based Medicine titled “Gender Differences and Why They Don’t Matter So Much.” The article left a bad taste in my mouth for a number of reasons. Aside from what I feel is a gross misrepresentation of various criticisms of Michael Shermer (which I will leave to Ophelia and PZ to deal with as they see fit), the bulk of my issue with her post deals ... »
A few days ago, I posted an article about a “study” in which researchers have claimed to have found a causal link between in utero hormone levels and homosexuality. I originally posted about it on Queereka, but once I saw it circulating around the skeptical blogosphere some more, I cross-posted to Skepchick. One of the places where I saw the article being touted was by Ed Brayton over on FTB. I wa... »
I spend about 18-23 hours a day on facebook, correcting all of the wrong things my friends say. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it. Yesterday, I noticed this show up in my feed: The accompanying text read: One can of diet soda each day can increase Leukemia risk in men and women by 42%, increase multiple myeloma risk in men by 102%, and increase the risk of non-Hodgkin lym... »
This week, I headed out to the country side to join the whole family for a cousin’s birthday. At a certain point, one of mhy cousins who has recently accepted Jesus as her savior, but previously intended to be a biologist like me, started an argument with me with the sole point of convincing me that the bible was perfect and science was not. I usually don’t engage in such things, speci... »
