The Reading Room
The Reading Room is a comprehensive, free resource of articles relating to science and skepticism. The Library contains an ever-growing index of articles, reviews and opinion editorials culled from our extensive archives, offering an in depth look into the myriad of subjects the Skeptics Society has explored over the years. You can help us continue to expand on the Reading Room by donating to the Skeptics Society.
Feb 11, 2021
John Henrik Clarke Says Yes From African Warrior Queens “More nonsense has been written about Cleopatra than about any other African queen, mainly because it has been the desire of many writers to paint her white. She was not a white woman until the emergence of the doctrine of white superiority, Cleopatra was generally pictured […]
Feb 11, 2021
There is a lot of high-quality, constructive Afrocentric scholarship. As in most fields, however, there are fringe groups and extraordinary claims that grab our attention because of their extremism, and, occasionally, their absurdity. Since it is our job at Skeptic magazine to track these groups and claims, we bring them to our reader’s attention. This is not to imply that all or most African-American scientists and historians believe such claims. The recent surge of these beliefs, however, especially when supported by such recognizable names as Louis Farrakhan, is alarming. Here are just a few quotes emblematic of this extreme.
Feb 11, 2021 by Kwame Anthony Appiah
Since one of the themes of Skeptic is the study of the power of belief systems to shape our interpretation of nature and history, the Afrocentric paradigm should be treated no different from others. That is, a healthy dollop of skepticism and critical thinking is appropriate.
Feb 11, 2021 by Mary Lefkowitz
“It is of course possible to sympathize with James, and with his anger at a society that has paid little tribute to real African achievement. Unfortunately Stolen Legacy not only does not help the Afrocentric cause, it hinders it.” Since its publication in 1954 Stolen Legacy, by George G. M. James, has been a best-seller […]
Jan 14, 2021 by Daniel Loxton

In this cover story article (written in October 2020) for Skeptic magazine 25.4 (December 2020), Daniel Loxton considers the unsavory origins and rising threat of the QAnon conspiracy theory. Written prior to the deadly QAnon-led occupation of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021, this analysis exposes the conspiracy theory as baseless, unoriginal, and harmful for believers and society at large.
TAGS:
antisemitism,
belief,
conspiracy theories,
COVID-19,
Donald Trump,
extremism,
far-right,
hoaxes,
media-driven hoaxes,
media-driven panics,
pandemics,
political extremism,
political polarization,
politics,
protests,
QAnon,
radicalization,
riots,
satanic panic,
violence,
witch hunting
Jan 05, 2021 by Tim Callahan

Perhaps one of the most bizarre beliefs rampant in modern times is that malign, shape-shifting reptilian extraterrestrial invaders, disguised as human beings, secretly control the governments of the world. It is possible that we recently experienced a violent consequence of that belief.
Dec 21, 2020 by Robert E. Bartholomew & Kate MacKrill

Reports about allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines will undoubtedly cause anxiety in people. Robert E. Bartholomew & Kate MacKrill remind us that, if history is a guide — and given the large number of people to be vaccinated — a mass anxiety event is not improbable.
Dec 10, 2020 by Robert E. Bartholomew

A report by the National Academy of Sciences says microwaves caused an array of mysterious health complaints at the American embassy in Cuba. Robert E. Bartholomew reminds us why we should be skeptical. It was probably psychogenic.
Oct 27, 2020 by Mark W. Moffett

During a time when racism, bigotry, and even speciesism has become a topic of national conversation, evolutionary biologist and National Geographic photographer Mark Moffett @DoctorBugs considers how we might reduce them through what we’ve learned about how individual organisms within a species came to develop these characteristic.
Oct 24, 2020 by James “The Amazing” Randi

A classic lecture on skepticism was given by James Randi on March 22, 1992 at the inaugural session of the Distinguished Science Lecture Series hosted by Michael Shermer and presented by The Skeptics Society in California (1992–2015). With wit and wonderfully illustrative examples, Randi teaches us several lessons on the scientific investigation of unusual claims.
TAGS:
belief,
homeopathy,
James Randi,
magic,
magical thinking,
n-rays,
occult,
out-of-body-experiences,
paranormal,
paranormal investigation,
pseudoscience,
skepticism,
supernatural
Oct 02, 2020 by Michael Shermer

Dr. Michael Shermer, working with Chris Hansen and Dateline NBC producers in 2010, replicated a number of classic psychology experiments, including Stanley Milgram’s famous shock experiments. Here’s a summary of that research along with the two-part video from the Dateline NBC show, called “What Were You Thinking?”
TAGS:
Adolf Eichmann,
agentic state,
disobedience to authority,
evil,
free will,
human behavior,
moral reasoning,
morality,
obedience to authority,
power of authority,
punishment,
shock experiment,
Stanley Milgram,
study replication
Sep 25, 2020 by Mona Sue Weissmark

Agenda-driven diversity and antiracism training programs are everywhere, but do they work in creating an inclusive culture? In our current climate of high racial tensions and deadlocked civil discourse, Dr. Mona Sue Weissmark asks “Is there a more effective way to break down these conversation barriers in order to answer some of the most difficult, polarizing questions that we face today?”
TAGS:
aggression,
antiracism,
black lives matter,
cognitive biases,
diversity training,
George Floyd,
justice,
political polarization,
race,
racial bias,
racism,
science and reason,
viewpoint diversity
Aug 21, 2020 by Harriet Hall, M.D.

Is Electronic Screen Syndrome (ESS) real? Is it a disease? An addiction? Do violent video games cause aggression? Can playing video games have positive effects? In this column from Skeptic magazine 25.2 (2020), Harriet Hall, M.D. examines ESS and shares the science.
TAGS:
addiction,
ADHD,
aggression,
anxiety,
bipolar,
confirmation bias,
coordination,
defiance,
depression,
disease,
Electronic Screen Syndrome,
gaming disorder,
learning difficulties,
pediatrics,
psychiatric disorders,
reaction time,
science,
screen time,
stimulation,
video games,
violence,
visual attention
Aug 18, 2020 by Michael Shermer

Today, August 18, marks the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, guaranteeing women the right to vote. We honor that momentous event with an excerpt adapted from the chapter on women’s rights in Dr. Shermer’s 2015 book The Moral Arc.
Aug 07, 2020 by Michael Shermer

On the 75th anniversary of nuclear weapons, Dr. Michael Shermer presents a moral case for their use in ending WWII and the deterrence of Great Power wars since, and a call to eventually eliminate them.
TAGS:
atomic bomb,
deterrence,
mass murder,
morality,
national security,
nuclear deterrence,
nuclear war,
nuclear weapons,
nuclear zero,
war,
WWII
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