Podcasts about csicop

Blake tries to talk Jeb off the ledge as we return to the classic theme of "ancient astronauts" in this throwback episode titled: Earth Visitors. Some links relevant to our discussion: Dejah Thoris (character) MUFON/Harzan scandal Roman Dodecahedrons (archaeology) Frank Frazetta Boris Vallejo We mention Zecharia Sitchin. Research suggests humans grow more neurons than did Neanderthals. A bunch of this episode comes from the work of Maurice Chatelain, who we shall refer to as "Shadowlane." His book Our Cosmic Ancestors sports one of the more interesting book covers we've seen while researching this show. He also wrote Our Ancestors Came from Outer Space. Maurice Chatelain's credentials appear to have been somewhat overstated in the episode. We'll be talking about several "Out of Place Artifacts" or OOPAs in this episode. Let's start with the "Boot Print" aka The Meister Print. (pictured below) See also this article by Glenn Kuban. Very compelling stuff. I guess. I mean it sort of looks like show print. This interesting looking skull also sent us down some research holes. The text of the episode seems to be talking about the Del Mar Skull but the image doesn't look like a close match. A lot of "shapes on the earth" are discussed. The shapes require you to do a lot of work. We'll get into that in the episode. But one is the Maltese Cross that is absolutely stunning, so long as you ignore that some of the points are hundreds of miles from the alleged anchor points and that the temples allegedly at each point were centuries apart. Skeptical response via CSICOP. Also - this is supposed to be a "pyramid" but seems to be more of what geometry wonks call a "triangle." I'm trying to find the type of terminal behind our statistician. And - behind the scenes I've managed to contact him and he assures me that the episode required many takes and that his students reported they made him sound like he believes in the whole ancient astronauts thing... More on this if I hear back from a rather lengthy email I sent him today (12/13/24). Read even more about the Monte Carlo Method! Vintage ad for the The Outer Space Connection. According to Scientific American, the idea that indigenous Americans were here for a very long time (from across the Bering sea) really kicked off in the 1930s. Read more about The Elephant Slab hoax. This montage of Kachina dolls really impressed Blake: Nimoy Fashion Alert! Native Jewelry Artist Preston Monongye Engineer Charles Ruggles Could he be LARPing J. Allen Hynek? Finally we get to the Cosa Artifact. And - of course, The Jupiter Menace (1982)

On this episode, the Satanic Skeptic explores Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey's history as a paranormal investigator as well as his familiarity with the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry- the organization which the Satanic Skeptic writes for! Drawing on a long out-of-print essay featured in the Cloven Hoof as well as other archived Church of Satan material, this episode shows just how much Anton LaVey meant it when he said "Herein you will find truth-and fantasy. Each is necessary for the other to exist; but each must be recognized for what it is."

Steve Allen was an American television personality, radio personality, musician, composer, actor, comedian, and writer. In 1954, he achieved national fame as the co-creator and first host of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tonight_Show (The Tonight Show), which was the first late-night television talk show. Though he got his start in radio, Allen is best known for his extensive network television career. He gained national attention as a guest host on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Godfrey%27s_Talent_Scouts (Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts). After he hosted https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tonight_Show (The Tonight Show), he went on to host numerous game and variety shows, including his own https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Steve_Allen_Show (The Steve Allen Show), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27ve_Got_a_Secret (I've Got a Secret), and The New Steve Allen Show. He was a regular panel member on CBS's https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What%27s_My_Line%3F (What's My Line?) and, from 1977 until 1981, he wrote, produced, and hosted the award-winning public broadcasting show https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meeting_of_Minds (Meeting of Minds), a series of historical dramas presented in a talk format. Allen was a pianist and a prolific composer. By his own estimate, he wrote more than 8,500 songs, some of which were recorded by numerous leading singers. Working as a lyricist, Allen won the 1964 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Award_for_Best_Original_Jazz_Composition (Grammy Award for Best Original Jazz Composition). He also wrote more than 50 books, including novels, children's books, and books of opinions, including his final book, Vulgarians at the Gate: Trash TV and Raunch Radio (2001). In 1996 Allen was presented with the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Gardner (Martin Gardner) Lifetime Achievement Award from the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committee_for_Skeptical_Inquiry (Committee for Skeptical Inquiry) (CSICOP). He has two stars on the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_Walk_of_Fame (Hollywood Walk of Fame) and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Steve_Allen_Theater (a Hollywood theater) named in his honor. In person Steve was funny and very personable. After his keynote talk at the 1990 https://www.sbwriters.com/ (Santa Barbara Writers Conference )at the legendary Miramar Hotel where the conference was held, he entertained anyone lucky enough to walk into the bar with his amazing piano playing.

Modern skeptics pride themselves on being immune to unreason. They present themselves as defenders of rationality, civilization, and good sense against what Freud famously called the "black mud-tide of occultism." But what if skepticism was more implicated in the phenomena it aims to banish than it might appear to be? What if no one could debunk anything without getting some of that black mud on their hands? In this episode, Phil and JF discuss the weird complicity of the skeptic and the believer in the light of George P. Hansen's masterpiece of meta-parapsychology, The Trickster and the Paranormal. REFERENCES James P. Hansen, The Trickster and the Paranormal (https://bookshop.org/books/the-trickster-and-the-paranormal/9781401000820) James Randi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Randi), stage magician and paranormal debunker Michael Shermer, (https://michaelshermer.com/) American science writer CSICOP (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committee_for_Skeptical_Inquiry), Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, Publisher of the Skeptical Inquirer Rune Soup, Interview with George P. Hansen (https://runesoup.com/2017/06/talking-the-trickster-and-the-paranormal-with-george-p-hansen/) Weird Studies, Episode 24 with Lionel Snell (https://www.weirdstudies.com/24) Weird Studies, Episode 89 on Ishmael Reed's Mumbo Jumbo (https://www.weirdstudies.com/89) Victor Turner, The Ritual Process: Structure and Anti-Structure (https://bookshop.org/books/the-ritual-process-structure-and-anti-structure/9780202011905) Wouter Hanegraaff (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wouter_Hanegraaff), Dutch professor of esoteric philosophy Shannon Taggart, Seance (https://www.shannontaggart.com/) Society for Psychical Research (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_for_Psychical_Research) Weird Studies, Episode 44 on William James's Psychical Research (https://www.weirdstudies.com/44) G. K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy (https://bookshop.org/books/orthodoxy-9780802456571/9781952410482) Robert Anton Wilson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Anton_Wilson), American author Aleister Crowley, [Magic Without Tears](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MagickWithoutTears)

Greg Bishop and Adam Gorightly. The discussion begins with iconic writer/philosopher Robert Anton Wilson and Discordianism- and quickly goes... a lot of places! Topics include: 1960's and 70's counter-cuture, RAW's "Winners Scripts" and changing suicidal negativity, "The Illuminatus! Trilogy", Kerry Thornley, Greg Hill, Dr. Robert Newport, Lee Harvey Oswald, Jim Garrison, JFK assassination investigations and conspiracies, the summer of love, psychedelics, libertarianism, Playboy magazine, Discordian names, pranking important people and organizations, the Illuminati, the John Birch Society, paranoia, Live Action Role Playing, Timothy Leery, Disinfo.Con, RAW's unique funeral, zines and the early internet, model agnosticism, Information Awareness Office, John Poindexter, Operation Mindf****, fake Illuminati chart, Robert Shay, "Principia Discordia", Loompanics Publishing, Discordian Popes, Church of the SubGenius, slack, true skepticism vs. anti-belief, CSICOP, James Randi, dogmatism, reality tunnels, ritual magick, RAW's encounter with possible non-human entities, experience of a number of unconnected people with beings from the Sirius star system, Philip K. Dick, Dorris Lessing, Jim Moseley's "Saucer Smear", artist David Huggins, Susan Demeter-St. Clair, temporarily adopting belief systems, the Virgin of Guadalupe, Aleister Crowley, "Mirage Men", strange phone calls and opened mail, magick and co-creation of reality, Dr. Karla Turner, surveilance and mail manipulation of activists, liminal experiences, Dean Radin, laboratory testing of ESP, Lou Elizondo, remote viewing, ego/greed limiting results, drug testing in today's world, people's unease with uncertainty and ambiguity, David Weatherly, Bigfoot, Lyle Blackburn, the paranormal conference circuit and groupthink, UFOs, and more.

Seriah hosts Greg Bishop and Adam Gorightly. The discussion begins with iconic writer/philosopher Robert Anton Wilson and Discordianism- and quickly goes... a lot of places! Topics include: 1960's and 70's counter-cuture, RAW's "Winners Scripts" and changing suicidal negativity, "The Illuminatus! Trilogy", Kerry Thornley, Greg Hill, Dr. Robert Newport, Lee Harvey Oswald, Jim Garrison, JFK assassination investigations and conspiracies, the summer of love, psychedelics, libertarianism, Playboy magazine, Discordian names, pranking important people and organizations, the Illuminati, the John Birch Society, paranoia, Live Action Role Playing, Timothy Leery, Disinfo.Con, RAW's unique funeral, zines and the early internet, model agnosticism, Information Awareness Office, John Poindexter, Operation Mindf****, fake Illuminati chart, Robert Shay, "Principia Discordia", Loompanics Publishing, Discordian Popes, Church of the SubGenius, slack, true skepticism vs. anti-belief, CSICOP, James Randi, dogmatism, reality tunnels, ritual magick, RAW's encounter with possible non-human entities, experience of a number of unconnected people with beings from the Sirius star system, Philip K. Dick, Dorris Lessing, Jim Moseley's "Saucer Smear", artist David Huggins, Susan Demeter-St. Clair, temporarily adopting belief systems, the Virgin of Guadalupe, Aleister Crowley, "Mirage Men", strange phone calls and opened mail, magick and co-creation of reality, Dr. Karla Turner, surveilance and mail manipulation of activists, liminal experiences, Dean Radin, laboratory testing of ESP, Lou Elizondo, remote viewing, ego/greed limiting results, drug testing in today's world, people's unease with uncertainty and ambiguity, David Weatherly, Bigfoot, Lyle Blackburn, the paranormal conference circuit and groupthink, UFOs, and more. This is fascinating conversation, loaded with information and unexpected connections! Recap by Vincent Treewell Outro Music by Unverkalt with "Solitude II" Download

Resident Asimov expert @AtlastDrugged comes on to talk about the influence of Isaac Asimov on the fields of robotics, economics, sociology and history. With not only his science-heavy sci-fi series 'Foundation', but also central concepts like 'psychohistory', Asimov has influenced people from Elon Musk to Newt Gingrich and many other self-appointed 'Gold-Souled' individuals, who, whether hedging their bets on Roko's basilisk, cheating investors out of their money or simply true-believers themselves in the tech utopia of being 'watched over by machines of loving grace', take it upon themselves to steer humanity toward self-fulfilling prophecy. We also talk a little about Silicon Valley burning, Russian spy allegations, spies moonlighting as authors, CSICOP, how Epstein 'fucking loved science', Apple TV's upcoming version of 'Foundation', and the dangers of unexamined influences. Interlude: Hitomi Tohyama - 'Sexy Robot' Outro: Baby Buddha - 'Robot Police' Follow us on Twitter: @BadFaithPodOG

Jeb and Blake discuss horoscopes, planets, and one of the most pervasive beliefs in human history: Astrology.  (Watch the ISO episode on YouTube.)   Show Notes: The episode "Astrology" first aired on January 12, 1978 . It was written and produced by Peter Rosten. Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science (Amazon) The Werewolves of Livonia - the witch-fighting werewolves of Italy The Witch by Ronald Hutton (Amazon) http://skepdic.com/fullmoon.html Short version is: despite anecdotal support, the actual data (of which there is plenty to look at) does not support increase in suicide, madness, murder, etc… during the full moon.  Schwazenegger on Dating Game  Chapman survey has 18% of Americans with psychics etc. (not just astrology), that’s 60 million Prepping the show for posting, I did finally find a connection between Moses and Astrology in the form of a 1798 book titled Genethliacal Astrology Comprehending an Enquiry Into, and Defense of the Celestial Science: To which is Added an Appendix Containing Remarks on the Nativity of a Gentleman Now Living Paleolithic Bone Markings - like Alexander Marshack Alternative Maps Styles Ammassalik Wooden Maps Marshall Islands Stick Chart Gnomon - sundial part that casts shadow Tower of Jericho Mayan Zodiac Mesopotamia/Egypt Babylonian Astronomy Egyptian Calendar Egyptian Astronomy Nabta Playa Ptolemy Beth Alpha Star of Bethlehem Sydney Omarr (his IMDB page) George O. Abell, originating member of CSICOP, UCLA C64 Synth Sample  We mentioned Equinox: Superpowers which turns out to be part of a British Channel 4 series Equinox.  I wasn't able to track down this episode, but they also did a famous episode on psychics which was protested by Uri Gellar for showing how some of his effects could be done with stage magic.  Karl Krafft Louis de Wohl - Useless for Britain but you will find lots of news stories about him. Jeane Dixon - one of the astrologers used by the Reagans. Dr. Hans Eysenck Dr. George Abell The Barnum Effect   The "Cancer Dancer" lady:   Nimoy Fashion Alert!  Check out the gingham tie pattern!   Nimoy reads astrology phone-call notes in a cul de sac.  Nurse footage reused from season one and then re-used during this same episode:   The "Bank of America" building in front of a dark high-rise during the "Man on the Street" segment in this episode may give us some "Fashion Forensics" type data to work on identifying the shot locale.  

What is skepticism? It’s nothing very esoteric. We encounter it every day. When we buy a used car, if we are the least bit wise we will exert some residual skeptical powers—whatever our education has left to us. You could say, “Here’s an honest-looking fellow. I’ll just take whatever he offers m ... https://skepticalinquirer.org/1987/10/the-burden-of-skepticism/ Chrome InstructionsFirefox InstructionsEdge InstructionsInternet Explorer InstructionsSafari InstructionsCarl SaganSee more articlesIs There Intelligent Life on Earth?CSICOP’s 1987 Conference In PasadenaNews and CommentThe Third EyeFox spirits in China, holy spirits in the USSR, and flaming spirits in FloridaThe Burden of SkepticismChiropractic: A Skeptical ViewHomeopathy: Is It Medicine?Alternative TherapiesQuackery: The Need for Federal, State, and Local ResponseSee Full Table of Contents

We're back, baby! In this episode, Wil tells us the story of The Flatwoods Monster, otherwise known as The Fleetwood Mac. Also discussed: The Geico Cavemen, CSICOP, and Homemade Iron Man.   Send us cryptid suggestions on twitter! @bigfootprobably Ask us questions! questions@bigfootisprobablyreal.com  

This week we remember Willem (‘Wim') Betz, the iconic Belgian physician, researcher and skeptic, co-founder of SKEPP (Belgian Skeptic Organisation) and CSICOP fellow, who sadly passed away on 8 June. Pontus reports his experiences at the big political event in Stockholm last week (Järvaveckan) and then Jelena talks about the life and times of William Crookes, who was a brilliant scientist, but also a believer in paranormal phenomena. When Pontus pokes the Pope, we find that Pride month is not for the Vatican, who felt the need to issue a 31-page document to say that trans people ‘annihilate the concept of nature'. We then enjoy the three remaining SkepKon interviews by Annika Merkelbach. In the news this week, the German minister of health takes a stand against ‘gay conversion therapy'; we urge scientists, researchers and medical practitioners to sign the manifesto against pseudotherapies and a Swedish on-line casino gets its license revoked for taking unfair advantage of their customers. Zotaro teams up with Retraction Watch to alert people about retracted studies, homeopathy seems about to be losing funding in France, and Snopes debunks the claim that Facebook's Shake-and-Report function leads to people being banned on Facebook. Anti-abortion sentiments are spreading to Europe from the US and the Italian parents who treated their boy with homeopathy get convicted in court. To rap it all up, we strongly disagree with the ‘Brilliant Minds' Foundation that apparently believes that Gwyneth Paltrow has one… Segments: Intro; Greetings; This Week in Skepticism; Pontus Pokes the Pope; Interviews from SkepKon; News; Really Wrong; Quote; Outro; Out-takes Events Calendar: http://theesp.eu/events_in_europe Show notes at: http://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-175.html

原创： 方舟子1955年成立的中医研究院在2005年11月改名为中医科学研究院，特地加了“科学”两个字，据称这表明结束了多年来中医是否是科学的争论。如果靠这种文字游戏就能结束争论那就太省事了。美国的神创论者成立了“神创科学研究所”，但是生物学界仍然不认神创论是科学。同样，美国生物医学界虽然对中医的某些疗法（例如针灸）是否有效有争论，但是对中医是否是科学却是没有争论的：不是科学。例如，美国国家卫生院和美国医学会都把中医和其他乱七八糟的民间医术一起归为“另类医学”，不属于医学科学。著名的反伪科学组织“对声称超自然现象的科学调查委员会”（CSICOP）则干脆认为中医是玄学、巫术、伪科学。 中医支持者在面对批评时常见的一个反弹是批评者不懂中医，似乎只有中医从业者才有批评中医的资格。按这个逻辑，我们也可以说只有算命先生、风水“大师”、星相师才有批评算命、风水、星相的资格了。要批评某一种学说是否科学，无需演一出“敌营18年”再反戈一击，甚至无需了解它的细节，只要根据通用的科学标准对其思想和方法加以衡量即可。尤其是在有现代医学可做为对照的情况下，只要具有现代医学知识，要判断中医的非科学性就更为容易。 如果用科学哲学中一些被广泛接受的检验标准，例如逻辑的自恰性、可检验性、可证伪性、可测量性等，对中医进行一番分析，我想不难认定中医不是科学。我不想在此做这种枯燥的“科学是什么”的理论分析，而只想从另一个角度，反过来从“科学不是什么”说明为什么中医不是科学。 科学讲究创新，绝不崇古。因此在科学中不存在人人必读、必信的经典。现代医学的学生除非是本人对医学史感兴趣，否则没有人会去研读希波克拉底、盖伦、维苏里、哈维等等历代医学大家的著作，不熟悉经典著作丝毫也不影响他们行医。现代医学的论文也没有人会把前贤语录当论据，靠引经据典来证明自己的正确性。中医则不然，《黄帝内经》、《伤寒论》、《金匮要略》等古代文献是中医学生必读、必背、必信的至高无上的经典，是他们诊断、处方的依据，中医的论文往往只是对这些经典的阐明、验证。所以，中医更像是一种人文学，而不是科学。 科学研究的是普适的自然规律，它没有国界，不具有民族、文化属性。虽然现代科学是在西方发展出来的，但是早已成为全人类的共同财富，也融入了东西方各国科学家的贡献。没有一门科学学科是只有某个民族才有而其他民族不予接受的，也没有一门科学学科是只有某个文化背景的人才能理解而其他文化背景的人无法掌握的。中国人并不需要先去学习西方文化才能掌握现代医学，就是因为现代医学是一门不具有民族、文化属性的科学。所以，把中医当成中国特有的科学，把中医的科学地位不受西方科学界的认可归咎于西方人不了解中国文化，那是很荒唐的。 科学是一个完整的知识体系，各个学科都相互联系、统一在一起，不存在一个与其他学科都无联系、甚至相互冲突的独立科学学科。现代医学建立在生物学基础之上，而生物学又建立在物理、化学的基础之上。但是中医不仅在整体上（而不仅仅是个别细节）与现代医学不兼容，也与生物学、化学、物理学不兼容，它对抗的不仅仅是现代医学，而是整个现代科学体系。这样的东西，可以是与科学无关的哲学、玄学或别的什么东西，但是不可能是科学。 为中医辩护的一个常见理由是说它是一门经验科学，是几千年经验积累的结晶。虽然经验有时候含有科学因素，但是经验本身并不是科学，单凭经验而不按科学方法加以研究是不可能归纳出科学理论的，所以“经验科学”的说法本身就不科学。历史是否悠久也与一门学科是否科学无关。有的科学学科（例如现代医学）的历史非常短暂，而有的非科学学科（例如算命、巫术、星相）的历史甚至比中医更悠久。 事实上，中医主流历来是看不起经验的，鄙视建立在经验基础之上的民间偏方、验方。中医理论基本上并非经验的积累，而是建立在阴阳五行相生相克的玄学基础上的臆想，并根据这套臆想来诊断、处方。李时珍的《本草纲目》被认为是中医药经验的集大成，充斥其中的却是天人感应的谬论，例如它声称夫妻各饮一杯立春雨水后同房，治疗不孕症有“神效”，这显然不是什么经验积累，而是因为“取其资始发育万物之义也”。中医之所以相信虎骨、虎鞭、熊胆、犀角是良药，是因为这些动物凶猛、强壮引起的联想，所谓取象比类，类似感应巫术。水蛭会吸血，中医就让为把它晒干了入药能够活血化瘀，蚯蚓（地龙）在土壤里钻来钻去，中医就认为它晒干了入药能够通络利尿，凡此种种，不胜枚举，以生物的习性附会其死物的药效，这显然不是经验结晶，而是变相的感应巫术。 没有科学的指导，宝贵的经验也很容易走偏。以抗疟良药青蒿素为例，它的研发是受到晋葛洪《肘后备急方》治疟验方的启发：“青蒿一握，以水二升渍，绞取汁，尽服之。”这显然是一个验方，与中医的辨证论治、复方配伍的理论无关。后来的中医医书例如《本草纲目》虽然都有青蒿可截疟的记载，但是现代研究表明中医所说的那种芳香可食用的青蒿（香蒿）并不能治疟疾，青蒿素是从中医并不认为能截疟、辛臭不可食用的另一种植物臭蒿（黄花蒿）提取出来的。我们只能推测葛洪说的青蒿指的是臭蒿，被后来的中医家搞混了，所以现在往往就把臭蒿改叫青蒿了。 为中医辩护的另一个常见理由是说它有效。但是有效性并不等于科学性。科学固然会有效，有效的却未必是科学。中国人大约在明朝的时候已发现通过种人痘能够预防天花，这应该是一种经验结晶，而且也有一定的效果。但是中医却把天花当成是小儿先天就有的藏在命门中的“胎毒”，而种痘是为了把胎毒引出来。甚至在更安全、更有效的牛痘术于19世纪初自西方传入中国后，中医家也要来个“中西医结合”，对种痘后的反应进行辨证施治，认为是“脾经毒甚，血热违和”。在今天看来这种与有效的经验相结合的理论当然是很可笑的。 何况，中医治疗的有效性是很值得怀疑的。许多人之所以相信中医的疗效，是因为相信自己曾经被中医治好过，而中医家也在医案中津津乐道如何巧治某个患了疑难杂症的病人。不幸的是，患者的证言和医生的“医案”并不被现代医学认为是疗效的证据。许多疾病都能自愈，在受到心理暗示时更是如此，患者的痊愈不一定是所接受的治疗导致的，因此某个患者被某个中医用某种疗法治好了病，并不能做为该中医医术高明、该疗法确实有效的证明。一种疗法、药物是否有效，是必须经过严格设计的临床试验才能确定的。现代医学是迟至上个世纪40年代才确立了这个原则，古人迷信名医医案本无可厚非。但时至今日，一些“中医泰斗”仍然拒绝接受现代医学的临床检验标准，碰巧“治好”了某个疑难杂症就大肆吹嘘，没治好的病例则只字不提，连把自己的亲人治死了也不知反省，这和江湖医生有什么区别？ 为中医辩护的人经常说，五千年来中华民族繁衍生息的实践证明了传统中医药学的确是人类的宝贵财富。这个诉诸民族感情的证据根本不值一驳。一个民族的繁衍生息并不需要靠医术来维持，这证明不了其医术的科学性。其他民族、甚至其他物种几千年来也都在繁衍生息。在现代医学传入中国之前中国人的平均寿命并不高于其他民族，在古代和近代都只有三十岁左右，现代中国人平均寿命大幅度提高到七十多岁完全拜现代医学之赐。事实上中医可能对中华民族的繁衍生息反而有负面影响，本来可以自愈却因不当治疗或为了养生服用有毒的补药而过早死亡的中国人不知有多少。又如，历代中医都认为女性受孕时间为月经净后六日内，还胡说什么单日受孕为男，双日受孕为女，而那段时间恰恰是女性最不容易受孕的“安全期”，如果古代中国人为追求多子多福真按中医的指导择日“敦伦”，反而是无意中在搞计划生育了。 否定中医是科学，并不是在全盘否定中医。中医理论没有科学价值，但是可以有人文价值，中医的某些经验疗法（特别是偏方、验方）也可能有其实用价值，值得现代医学去挖掘。所以对中医的正确态度应该是“废医验药”，抛弃不科学的中医理论，在现代医学的指导下检验中医疗法的有效性和安全性。 我们也不必因为中医不科学而妄自菲薄。毕竟，在现代医学兴起之前，各国、各民族的医术（包括西医）也都不科学，并不比中医好多少，甚至更糟糕。有人声称中医是“超科学”、“人体科学”，未来科学的发展会证明其正确性云云，这和那些“算命先生”、“风水大师”宣称算命、风水是超越现代科学的“预测科学”、“环境科学”并无不同，不过是一厢情愿。现代医学接受中医的某个疗法是可能的，接受中医理论则完全不可能。我们没有理由相信古人的智慧能够超越现代科学。科学是向前发展的，不可能重归蒙昧。天文学不会重归占星术，化学不会重归炼金术，生物学不会重归神创论，同样，医学科学也不会重归玄学、原始医术。 能否超出朴素的民族感情科学地看待中医，是检验一个中国人的科学理性素养的试金石。

This week Ben and Celestia start by looking at a Newsweek headline that's been circulating again recently, implying that one-third of Americans doubt the death toll of the Holocaust. Then we devote our main segment to an important essay that has become both style guide and etiquette manual to skeptical writers and critics. Ray Hyman, one of the original founders of CSICOP, outlined eight principles to follow when engaging in "proper criticism" of paranormal claims. "Hyman's Proper Criticism," as it is known, applies more broadly to any topic, really, and becoming familiar with these eight lessons will make you a better human being.  

In this MonsterTalk, we’re pleased to bring you an interview with psychologist Ray Hyman, a long time skeptical activist and educator, a founding member of CSICOP (now CSI) and one of the key investigators into the US government’s program to develop psychic soldiers. Some of this story was revealed in Jon Ronson’s The Men Who Stare at Goats, but in this interview you’ll hear Ray’s personal recollections about magic, skepticism and the mysterious claims of a famous psychic named Uri Geller. Read the episode notes

This poltergeist in Columbus Ohio turned out to be, like nearly all such cases, a mischievous teen.

In this episode, Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (formerly CSICOP) investigator Joe Nickell joins the MonsterTalk crew for a look into the West Virginian legend of Mothman — allegedly a human-sized creature with wings and glowing red eyes. Nickell discusses the ways monsters evolve following a community’s initial reports, and the cyclical nature of spates of sightings. READ full episode notes

Ray Hyman is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Oregon and one of the leading figures of modern skepticism. He was a founding member of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (formerly CSICOP). He has been a consultant with the U.S. Department of Defense, helping investigate parapsychology for the government and is the author of many books, such as The Elusive Quarry, and many articles in the scholarly literature, such as his popular manuscript that teaches people how to appear to have psychic powers by using "cold reading." A former magician and mentalist, he has been featured on the cover of The Linking Ring, the magazine of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Hyman was a co-recipient of the 2005 Robert P. Balles Prize in Critical Thinking, and also CSI's In Praise of Reason Award. For almost 20 years, he has run the popular Skeptics Toolbox, which trains rationalists in the best methods of advancing skepticism in our society. In this conversation with D.J. Grothe, Ray Hyman recounts the history of his many critiques of the various Ganzfeld Experiments, which are scientific tests of psychic ability. He details his assessments of the later "Auto Ganzfeld experiments." He shares his evaluations of other various research projects in parapsychology, and levels criticism against some skeptics who have too hastily dismissed parapsychology's findings. He talks about his beginnings as a magician-debunker, and as a mentalist, and how he got involved in applying magic to his skeptical investigation of parapsychological claims. He explores whether or not the government should make fortune-telling illegal. He explains how leading scientists can believe in the claims of parapsychology, even without sufficient evidence. He describes some of his experiences with Uri Geller. He talks about the ethical implications of teaching non-magicians the art of cold-reading. He reveals ethical problems he has had with the Psychic Entertainers Association, and how giving psychic readings may cause real harm to clients. And he talks about how he may disagree with James Randi as regards the usefulness of magicians in conducting psychic research.

Paul Kurtz is founder and chair of the Center for Inquiry and a number of other organizations. A Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, he is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo, chairman of the Committee for the Skeptical Inquiry, the Council for Secular Humanism, and Prometheus Books. He is the author or editor of almost fifty books, including The New Skepticism: Inquiry and Reliable Knowledge. Throughout the last four decades, Kurtz has been a leading defender of science and reason against the prevailing cults of irrationality in our society, and has been interviewed widely in the media on subjects ranging from alternative medicine and communication with the dead, to the historicity of Jesus and parapsychology. In this conversation with D.J. Grothe, Paul Kurtz discusses the rationale for changing the name of CSICOP to the Committee of Skeptical Inquiry. He argues that the organized skeptical movement should apply the methods of scientific and skeptical inquiry to religion, and not just to paranormal claims, and he contrasts this approach with a direct atheistic assault on belief in God. He argues that while skepticism is essential to science, that the skeptical movement should promote the application of the methods of scientific inquiry into politics and economics, and talks about how divisive this may be within the skeptical movement. He considers whether political and economic questions are as amenable to critical thinking and skeptical inquiry as are paranormal claims. He talks about global warming and the extent to which the scientific community should be attentive to "global warming skeptics." He explains why he is cautious of certainty, contrasting certain knowledge with reliable knowledge, and recounts examples in the history of science when widely believed scientific theories were overturned by a small minority of new theorists. He talks about political and economic views he once held that he no longer holds. He contrasts skeptical inquiry with the classical skepticism of ancient Greece and Rome. And he argues that the new skepticism is not negative nor nay-saying, but rather is an affirmative and constructive philosophical worldview.

Ronald A. Lindsay is a bioethicist, lawyer, and chief executive officer and senior research fellow of the Center for Inquiry. For many years he practiced law in Washington, DC, and was an adjunct professor at Georgetown University and American University, where he taught jurisprudence and philosophy courses. His new book is Future Bioethics: Overcoming Taboos, Myths, and Dogmas. In this discussion with D.J. Grothe, Ron Lindsay recounts his nearly thirty year history with the organization, including his role in a landmark legal case in Alabama regarding the question of whether or not secular humanism is a religion, elaborating on how the argument has been used since by the religious right. He describes the relationship of the "family of organizations" at the Center for Inquiry, including the Council for Secular Humanism and the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (formerly CSICOP), giving their histories. He talks about Paul Kurtz' inspiring and foundational role in all of these organizations and in the worldwide movements that they support. And he talks about why it is more important now than ever to get involved at the grassroots to advance the scientific and secular values of the Center for Inquiry, even with President Obama in the White House, highlighting concerns he has with Obama's positions on a number of issues.

Kendrick Frazier has been the editor of Skeptical Inquirer magazine for over 30 years. He is a member of the National Association of Science Writers and the American Geophysical Union. In 2005, Frazier was made a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for "distinguished contributions to the public understanding of science through writing for and editing popular science magazines that emphasize science news and scientific reasoning and methods." He is the author of a number of books, including The Hundredth Monkey: And Other Paradigms of the Paranormal, Encounters With the Paranormal: Science, Knowledge, and Belief, and Paranormal Borderlands of Science. In this conversation with D.J. Grothe, Kendrick Frazier discusses his long association with CSI (formerly CSICOP) and with Skeptical Inquirer magazine and explores the meanings of skeptical inquiry, both as ordinary common sense and as being continuous with science. He contrasts the paranormal with science, and explains why the paranormal was the initial focus of CSICOP. He explores debates within the skeptical community, such as whether or not belief in the paranormal is diminishing, and to what extent the movement has been successful. He talks about the breadth of claims currently dealt with at the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, including both popular paranormal claims and more controversial scientific and scholarly subjects. He talks about three recent issues of Skeptical Inquirer focused on "deniers" and explains how deniers are different than skeptics. He explains paranormal or pseudoscientific claims that he has changed his mind about over the years, such as extraordinary human perception, and the mind-body connection as it relates to healing. He talks about how the magazine has dealt with religion over the years. And he talks about the future of skepticism and the need for new ways of outreach, especially to younger skeptics.

Celebrate the holiday with humanist pioneer, Dr. Paul Kurtz as he joins us in the studio for an inspiring interview. Paul Kurtz is, in many ways, the founder of the Secular Humanist movement and has had an impact on nearly every aspect of modern skepticism. He is the author of the Humanist Manifesto II, founder and chair of the Council for Secular Humanism, the Center for Inquiry, Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (formerly CSICOP) and editor of Prometheus Books. For this special Christmas episode Kurtz shares with us his vision of peace on earth. He envisions a new enlightenment where the recognition that human beings are all members one species, with equal dignity and value, serves as the foundation for creating a planetary ethic. Also in this episode join us for Skeptics Sunday School where we will examine the Christmas narrative and belief in the virgin birth of Jesus. Finally we offer some gift ideas for freethinkers this holiday season. Reasonable Doubts: Your skeptical guide to religion offering news and commentary of interest to skeptics, atheists, humanists, apologists looking for a challenge and freethinkers of all persuasions.

On this week's Skepticality, we continue our coverage of The Amazing Meeting 5. Derek and Swoopy talk with some of their favorite Real Skeptical Heroes including author and CSICOP spokesman Benjamin Radford, Mythbuster Adam Savage and the first Congressional lobbyist for non-theists and director of the Secular Coalition for America, Lori Lipman Brown.

In this special episode of Point of Inquiry, Paul Kurtz joins D.J. Grothe for an overview of CFI's mission and challenges. Kurtz is founder and chair of the Center for Inquiry and many other organizations and is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is also Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo, chairman of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (previously CSICOP), the Council for Secular Humanism, and Prometheus Books. He is editor-in-chief of Free Inquiry Magazine and author of over forty five books, including Science and Religion: Are They Compatible and Living Without Religion. Throughout the last thirty years, he has been a leading defender of science and reason against the prevailing cults of irrationality in our society. In this episode, and for the first time in a year of weekly episodes featuring the leading minds of the day, Paul Kurtz and D.J. Grothe discuss the various programs and projects of the Center for Inquiry, including the Institute for the Secularization of Islamic Societies, Secular Organizations for Sobreity (an atheist alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous), African Americans for Humanism, CFI's community and campus programs, its international programs, its North American branches, its magazines, its social services, and other aspects of CFI's work. Kurtz also discusses ways listeners can get involved in the Center's efforts.

Harry Houdini, the world-famous magician and escape artist, earnestly explored the religion of spiritualism and communication with the dead after his beloved mother's death in 1913. He eventually crusaded vigorously against those whom he believed were fraudulent mediums, debunking and exposing those whom he argued preyed on the mourning of the grieving. He was renowned for his ability to seem to escape from almost any bonds. As such, he made a pact with his wife Bess, that if anyone could escape the bonds of death, he would. In this bonus episode of Point of Inquiry for Halloween night 2006, Joe Nickell, the world's leading paranormal investigator and CSICOP's senior research fellow, and D.J. Grothe (both of whom are former professional magicians) conduct CFI's 10th Annual Houdini Seance. They also explore Houdini's experiences as a "magician among the spirits," recount the ways he challenged the mediums of his day, and discuss his lasting impact on skepticism and society's beliefs about the afterlife. Also in this bonus episode is an audio clip of the last Houdini Seance of which Bess Houdini was a part. The recording, from Halloween night, 1936, was made at the historic Knickerbocker Hotel in Hollywood.

Ann Druyan is a renowned author, lecturer, and television and motion picture writer/producer whose work mostly explores the implications of science and technology for our society. She is the widow of the great Carl Sagan with whom she was a co-writer of the Emmy and Peabody Award winning television series Cosmos. She served as Creative Director for the NASA Voyager Interstellar Record Project that included music and images on the Voyager Spacecrafts that serve as a greeting to possible alien civilizations. She co-created and co-produced of the Oscar nominated movie Contact starring Jodie Foster, which is based on the novel of the same name that she co-wrote with Carl Sagan. She is also the author or co-author of several other books, including A Famous Broken Heart, and Comet, which was on the New York Times best seller list for two months. Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors, also written with Carl Sagan, was another New York Times best seller. Druyan has a new book out in November entitled The Varieties of Scientific Experience: A Personal View of the Search for God, which explores hers and Sagan's views on science and religion. Druyan is co-founder and CEO of Cosmos Studios, which produces science-based entertainment across many types of media. Since 2000, Cosmos Studios has produced four documentaries, including "Cosmic Journey" which was nominated for an Emmy for the best nature/science documentary. She is a Fellow of CSICOP at the Center for Inquiry. In this discussion with DJ Grothe, she stresses the point that people can have a sense of awe and wonder about the universe without having to believe in God or the supernatural, discusses the work of Carl Sagan and his lasting impact, examines the growing need for scientific literacy in our society, and shares why, despite the current cultural war against science, she is optimistic about the future. Also in this episode, Carl Sagan's last public address for CSICOP, from its conference in Seattle in 1994, is presented in its entirety. In this keynote, entitled "Wonder and Skepticism," Sagan eloquently conveys prescient insights about the future of science and technology, argues why science is the best way of looking at the world, shares almost prophetic statements about the cultural war against science in America today, passionately calls for tempering skepticism with a humane understanding of why it is so easy in our society to not be skeptical, and encourages the listener to foster such appreciation for this kind of skepticism especially among young people. And in addition, Lauren Becker shares a moving piece entitled "The Gifts of Carl Sagan."

Joe Nickell, Senior Research Fellow for CSICOP, is considered the world's leading paranormal investigator. A former professional stage magician and private investigator, he has used his varied background to investigate myths and mysteries, frauds, forgeries, and hoaxes. He has been called "the modern Sherlock Holmes," "the original ghost buster," and "the real-life Scully" (after the character in The X-Files). A veteran of hundreds of TV and radio appearances, he is the author of over 20 books, including Secrets of the Supernatural, Entities, Psychic Sleuths, Real Life X Files, and The UFO Invasion. In this discussion with DJ Grothe, Joe talks about his recent trip to Peru for CFI's second South American conference, and also about his visit to the world famous Nazca lines, which some people argue is evidence for ancient visits to earth from extra-terrestrials. He recounts his years of investigations into such "geoglyphs," and suggests some alternative scientific theories for their existence. Also in this episode, Debbie Goddard, a campus organizer with the Center for Inquiry, gives a back-to-school message.

Barry Beyerstein is Professor of Psychology and a member of the Brain Behaviour Laboratory at Simon Fraser University. His research has involved many areas related to his primary scholarly interests: brain mechanisms of perception and consciousness and the effects of drugs on the brain and mind. His work in these areas and his interest in the philosophy and history of science have also led him to be skeptical of many occult and New Age claims. This has prompted him to investigate the scientific status of many questionable products in the areas of medical and psychological treatment, as well as a number of dubious self-improvement techniques. Dr. Beyerstein serves as chair of the Society of B. C. Skeptics and he is a Fellow and a member of the Executive Council of CSICOP and serves on the editorial board of CSICOP's journal, The Skeptical Inquirer.  He was also elected to the Council for Scientific Medicine, another organization headquartered at the Center for Inquiry; it provides critiques of unscientific and fraudulent health products.  He is a founding member of Canadians for Rational Health policy and a Contributing Editor of the journal, The Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine.  He has published in these areas himself and is a frequent commentator on such topics on TV and Radio and in the print media. In this interview with DJ Grothe, Dr. Beyerstein discusses what he calls "the sins of Big Pharma," elaborating on what he considers the negative implications of the profit motive in the pharmaceutical industry and the development of new and unnecessary drugs due to possibly biased research. Also in this episode, Lauren Becker shares a commentary on secular humanist and skeptic "non-joiners."

Paul Kurtz, considered the father of the secular humanist movement and a founder of the worldwide skeptic movement, is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo. As chair of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), the Council for Secular Humanism, and Prometheus Books, and as editor-in-chief of Free Inquiry magazine, he has advanced a critical, skeptical inquiry into many of the most cherished beliefs of society for the last forty years. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and has been featured very widely in the media, on topics as diverse as reincarnation, UFO abduction, secular versus religious ethics, communication with the dead, and the historicity of Jesus. In this interview with DJ Grothe, Paul Kurtz discusses the meaning of life from a scientific point of view, and expounds on the secular humanistic, stoical, skeptical perspective on questions regarding life after death and morality without belief in heaven or hell. Also in this episode DJ talks with Amanda Chesworth, educational director for CSICOP, about CFI's new summer camp promoting the scientific outlook to youngsters, Camp Inquiry.

Joe Nickell, Senior Research Fellow for CSICOP, is considered the world's leading paranormal investigator. A former professional stage magician and private investigator, he has used his varied background to investigate myths and mysteries, frauds, forgeries, and hoaxes. He has been called the modern Sherlock Holmes, the original ghost buster, and the real-life Scully (after the character in The X-Files ). A veteran of hundreds of TV and radio appearances, he is the author of over 20 books, including Secrets of the Supernatural, Entities, Psychic Sleuths, Real Life X Files, and The UFO Invasion. In this discussion with DJ Grothe, Nickell assesses some well-known psychic detectives such as Allison DuBois, on whom the NBC drama Medium is based, Carla Baron, and others. He also explains some of their methods and possible motivations. Also in this episode, Tom Flynn asks Did You Know?, detailing facts and figures about 6-6-06, the "Number of the Beast," and Tim LaHaye's Left Behind book series.

Bill Nye is one of America's leading popularizers of the scientific outlook. As a scientist, engineer, comedian, author, and inventor, he hosted Bill Nye The Science Guy, which earned 28 Emmys during its six year run. He is the author of a number of children's books about science and regularly lectures at Cornell University as part of the Frank H.T. Rhodes Visiting Professorship. He is also a Fellow of CSICOP, the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal. His acclaimed new show The Eyes of Nye currently airs on PBS stations across the United States. In this discussion with DJ Grothe, Bill Nye talks about the importance of science literacy, and how science best equips us to face the pressing challenges that threaten our future. Also in this episode, Point of Inquiry contributer Lauren Becker asks Have You Been Saved? (this Earth Day).

Joe Nickell, Senior Research Fellow for CSICOP, is considered the world's leading paranormal investigator. A former professional stage magician and private investigator, he has used his varied background to investigate myths and mysteries, frauds, forgeries, and hoaxes. He has been called "the modern Sherlock Holmes," "the original ghost buster," and "the real-life Scully" (after the character in The X-Files ). A veteran of hundreds of TV and radio appearances, he is the author of over 20 books, including Secrets of the Supernatural, Entities, Psychic Sleuths, Real Life X Files, and The UFO Invasion. In this interview with DJ Grothe, he discusses aliens and alien abduction accounts and explores their significance for society today. Also in this episode, Tom Flynn asks Did You Know?, detailing facts and figures about UFOs, alien abductions and the new "Roses of Mohammed," Point of Inquiry contributor Sarah Jordan examines the meaning of science education, and DJ Grothe talks with Benjamin Radford about psychic detectives.

Marci Hamilton is a distinguished constitutional law professor at Cordozo School of Law and is the author of the critically acclaimed book God vs. The Gavel: Religion and the Rule of Law. She has appeared widely in the media, on shows such as The O'Reilly Factor and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. In this interview, she explores the harms that are done to society by religion and how these harms are enabled by the courts and law enforcement because of an inaccurate understanding and application of the First Amendment. She challenges the widespread notion that all religious conduct deserves constitutional protection. Also in this episode, Tom Flynn presents Did You Know? detailing information about tax-payer funding of religious organizations, President Bush's fear of human-animal hybrids, and priestly child-abuse. Also, Benjamin Radford shares his segment Media Mythmakers, and in the second of a two part series entitled Investigating Ghosts and Hauntings, Joe Nickell, CSICOP's senior research fellow and renowned paranormal investigator, recounts experiences with photographing ghosts and why people might believe in them.

Chris Mooney, a Washington correspondent for Seed magazine, a senior correspondent for the American Prospect, and a columnist for Skeptical Inquirer magazine, focuses on issues at the intersection of science and politics in his reporting. He has contributed to a number of other publications over the last few years including Wired, New Scientist, Slate, Mother Jones, The Washington Post, The LA Times, and The Boston Globe, in addition to appearing widely in the media, on shows such as The Daily Show with John Stewart, NPR's Science Friday, and Fresh Air with Terry Gross. His blog, called "The Intersection," was recipient of Scientific American's 2005 Science and Technology web award, which noted that "science is lucky to have such a staunch ally in acclaimed journalist Chris Mooney." In this interview, he discusses his first book, The Republican War on Science, hailed as "a landmark in contemporary political reporting" by Salon.com and a "well-researched, closely argued and amply referenced indictment of the right wing's assault on science and scientists" by Scientific American. Also in this episode, Tom Flynn presents Did You Know? sharing facts and figures on paranormal belief in America and recent growth of religious extremism, Benjamin Radford shares his segment Media Mythmakers, commenting on social myths regarding Barbie Dolls, and in the first of a two part series entitled Investigating Ghosts and Hauntings, Joe Nickell, CSICOP's senior research fellow and renowned paranormal investigator, details specific investigations of haunted scenes he has conducted.

Joe Nickell, Senior Research Fellow for CSICOP, is considered the world's leading paranormal investigator. A former professional stage magician and private investigator, he taught at the University of Kentucky before joining CSICOP, the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal. Using his varied background, Nickell has become widely known as an investigator of myths and mysteries, frauds, forgeries, and hoaxes. He has been called "the modern Sherlock Holmes," "the original ghost buster," and "the real-life Scully" (after the character in "The X-Files" ). He has investigated scores of haunted-house cases, including the Amityville Horror and the Mackenzie House in Toronto, Canada. A veteran of hundreds of TV and radio appearances, he is the author of over 20 books, including Inquest of the Shroud of Turin, Secrets of the Supernatural, Looking for a Miracle, Entities, Psychic Sleuths, Real Life X Files, The UFO Invasion and the new title Secrets of the Sideshows. In this interview by DJ Grothe, Joe Nickell cautions the skeptic against debunking, and argues for open-minded investigation of paranormal claims. Also, in the first of a two part interview entitled The Real War on Christmas, Tom Flynn, editor of Free Inquiry Magazine, urges listeners to wage an actual war on Christmas, in defense of America's religious diversity and the rights of nonbelievers. In Ben Radford's regular commentary, Media Mythmakers, he discusses recent irrational scares over violent video games.

We have a very special guest, Benjamin Radford, editor of Skeptical Inquiry and Pensar Magazine. Author of Media Mythmakers, and employee/expert at CSICOP. Benjamin joins us for a lively discussion on how the Media and Activists use myth, emotion and bad statistics to mislead us.

We have a very special guest, Tom Flynn, one of the Editors of Free Inquiry, Member of CSICOP, and the Center for Inquiry. Tom is also an accomplished book author, and well respected Secular Humanist. Come join us with Mr. Flynn as we discuss the meaning of Secularism, and how it applies to current events.