This is an idea that popped into my mind a while back that I’ve really wanted to make a thing. I think the monthly mathematics could be a really useful facility for skeptics to practice critical thinking skills and logic. As a skeptic, I believe critical thinking is a corner stone of what it means to be a skeptic. We don’t accept things on face value, and, ideally, question our most co... »
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 ... »
One random bit of woo I encountered from a relative who first heard it on Oprah: Dr. Christian Northrup’s theory of thyroid pathogenesis. In many women thyroid dysfunction develops because of an energy blockage in the throat region, the result of a lifetime of “swallowing” words one is aching to say. In the name of preserving harmony, or because these women have learned to live a... »
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... »
I came across this awesomely bad article late last night. It is either an example of really bad science reporting, really bad science, or both. Actual Headline: Scientists May Have Finally Unlocked Puzzle of Why People Are Gay. I’m sure many of you are familiar with ever-elusive “gay gene” and the plethora of studies that have attempted to find it (and failed). Well, apparently w... »
Why, hello there. I’m Belle, and I am one of the new writers for Queereka. Will should be along at some point to announce the others and introduce us, but I’m not patient enough to wait to post, the reason being this topic has been on my mind for a while now, and I feel I should share. – I’ve been open about my sexuality since high school. I grew up in a gem of a midwestern town ... »
Via PZ, check out this video of Eric Hovind arguing with a much more intelligent elementary school kid. The relevant quote: Eric Hovind: We all deal in the realm of certainty…If I, for example, knew everything there was to know, if I had all knowledge, and you didn’t, AND there was a rule that said, I am never ever allowed to tell a lie. And I said Chad, I know everything, “IR... »
