Skeptic: Extraordinary Claims, Revolutionary Ideas, and the Promotion of Science

Skeptics Mix Tape 2009

Think the best skepticism is the kind you can rock to? We’re pleased to offer you this selection of songs of science and skepticism — completely free! Download these MP3 files for non-commercial use at home or in your classroom.

• EXPLORE the mix tape >

How did one of history’s purest skeptical TV shows become one of the most beloved fictional creations of all time? And, what important lessons does this kids’ cartoon hold for skeptics today? Celebrate 40 years of Scooby-Doo!

• READ table of contents
  for the current issue >

Stay informed about
our next geo tour!

Interested in participating on future Scientific Exploration Geology and Science Tours? Enter your email address here to get priority notification of future events (we will not share your address with any other parties).

PAST GEOLOGY TOURS

Utah or Bust!

Dinosaurs, Trilobites
& Geology Galore
June 8–13, 2009

Participants toured the geologic wonders of southern Utah, including Zion, Bryce, and Capitol Reef National Parks, with on site lectures by renowned geologist and paleontologist Dr. Donald Prothero. Participants dug trilobite fossils at a quarry famous for quantity and quality specimens, and visited some of the richest dinosaur-bearing deposits in the world!

It’s Our Fault!

One-Day San Andreas Fault Tours
January 31, 2009
February 1, 2009

Led by Dr. Donald Prothero, these day trips explored the San Andreas fault from Palmdale to the Devil’s Punchbowl, including Vasquez Rocks. Participants examined the evidence of their origin and evolution over 1.7 billion years at the San Gabriel Mountains. We saw remnants of giant billion-year-old magma chambers, and the products of rapid erosion of one of the fastest-rising mountain ranges in the world. WATCH video clips from our San Andreas Fault tour:

• Welcome to the
  Vasquez National Park >
• Dr. Prothero on Vasquez Rocks >
• Prothero on Anorthosites
  & Moon Rocks >
• Prothero on Devil’s Punchbowl >
• Prothero on Syncline >
• Gabbros and Granitic Rocks
  in Punchbowl >

Skepticality— the official podcast of Skeptic magazine

Skepticality — the pioneering original skeptics podcast — is a top-rated audio talk show dedicated to skeptical topics and interviews.

• HEAR the current episode >
• SUBSCRIBE to Skepticality
  within iTunes >

SkepticBlog is a collaboration between eight of the most recognized names in the promotion of science, critical thinking & skepticism. It features the cast & producers of The Skeptologists, a pilot skeptical reality show.

Latest additions…

• Boy Scouts: You’ve Been Cast Out

• deFacing Mars

• The 2nd Coolest Observatory in the World (in Chile)

Anti-science propaganda: how Ben Stein’s new ‘documentary’ film entitled Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed equates evolution with Nazism. Was anyone really fired for their belief in Intelligent Design? Read these four articles and listen to the Skepticality podcast to find out!

1. Ben Stein’s Blunder
2. The Richard Sternberg Affair
3. The Expelled Case
   of Caroline Crocker
4. Was Guillermo Gonzalez Expelled?
5. READ Dawkin’s open letter to a victim of Ben Stein’s propaganda
6. WATCH a parody of the film
   on RichardDawkins.net: Sexpelled: No Intercourse Allowed

Listen to the following Skepticality episodes that deal with the subject.

• episode 74
• episode 76
• episode 77

Robert Richard responds
to Daniel Gasman

In this week’s eSkeptic, Robert Richard responds to Daniel Gasman’s review of The Tragic Sense of Life which ran in eSkeptic (June 10th, 2009). Robert J. Richards is a Morris Fishbein Professor of the History of Science at the University of Chicago.

• READ this week’s eSkeptic >
• SIGN UP to receive eSkeptic, our free weekly email newsletter >

Help Skeptic
at No Cost to You

Do you shop at Amazon.com? What if there were a way for the Skeptics Society to make a commission off every Amazon purchase you make — all without costing you a penny?

There is, and it’s easy. Just right-click (or ctrl-click) to bookmark this handy SKEPTIC AMAZON LINK. Be sure to check out our affiliate links page where you’ll also find links for Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, and iTunes as well!

• READ this week’s eSkeptic >

Origins &
the Big Questions

The 2008 conference is now available at Shop Skeptic on DVD. The lectures (which took place at Caltech on Saturday, Oct 4th) are sold individually, or as a 5 part set at an incredible discount!

• ORDER part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
• ORDER the complete set >

Break the Science Barrier

Dawkins communicates both the power and the beauty of science through a series of stories and vignettes dealing with a wide variety of topics, including the discovery of the Big Bang, junk science in the courtroom, magic and deception, and how science is the best tool ever devised for understanding how the world works…

• ORDER the DVD >

The Root of All Evil?

In this two-part documentary, Oxford Professor Richard Dawkins examines how religious faith is gaining ground in the face of rational, scientific truth. The program takes you to some of the world’s religious hot-spots, both in America and the Middle East…

• ORDER the DVD >

Growing Up in the Universe

Dawkins presents a series of lectures on life, the universe, and our place in it. With brilliance and clarity, Dawkins unravels an educational gem that will mesmerize young and old alike…

• ORDER the DVD >

The Power of Belief

In this 14-minute introduction to skepticism, Dr. Michael Shermer (Executive Director of the Skeptics Society) discusses why people believe weird things and elaborates on the power of belief systems. This lecture was delivered at the 2006 TED conference (Technology, Entertainment, Design) in Monterey, California. For additional TED talks go to www.ted.com/tedtalks

• DOWNLOAD streaming video (36MB) >

• WATCH the videos >

Deepak Chopra
v. Michael Shermer:
The Afterlife

Deepak and Shermer debate the question of life after death.

• READ the essays in full >