If you’ve been following the ongoing saga over the years that is the Texas Board of Education and their textbook adoption process, then you no doubt understand that there has been a far-right conservative faction of people who have attempted to push their ideology (including creationism) into Texas public schools. Now the recent history of [...]
One of my biggest skeptical heroes is James Randi. He is a small man with a big laugh, an even bigger heart, and an even bigger love for the pursuit of skeptical analysis into all manner of paranormal, mystical, or odd-ball claims. For Randi, no questions are off limits and skepticism knows no bounds; he [...]
This post is devoted to the question we asked on Episode 75 of The Pseudoscientists podcast: Which frontier should our scientific endeavours aim to conquer next: outer space or the ocean? Give us your answers in the comments, and our favourite (as well as...
Belinda and Sarah are joined by special guest Jonathan Meddings to check up on the state of DNA information storage, investigate a possible link between cannabis usage and strokes in young people, and some issues surrounding gun control. Jargonauts goes ethical with the phrase "moral turpitude", and your thoughts on the distinction between cults and religions. Next week's question: "Which frontier should our scientific endeavors aim to conquer next: outer space or the ocean?"
At 13 minutes, this isn’t necessarily in the same time-commitment camp as a 24 second viral clip of a baby punching a kitten, or whatever people like watching these days, but I’ll guarantee it’s at least as entertaining. YouTuber (and...This post is devoted to the question we asked on Episode 74 of The Pseudoscientists podcast: What is the difference between a religion and a cult? Give us your answers in the comments, and our favourite (as well as the most interesting)...Jack, Belinda and Rachael are once again on their own to talk about Australian bushfires and telescopes, why pregnant women should definitely get the flu vaccine, and how a weird supergene controls the social structure of fire ants. Jargonauts delves into "homozygous", "heterozygous" and "hemizygous", while your opinions about anti-vaccination literature and free speech are discussed - as well as a brief trip On The Street in Sydney with the help of Luke Freeman. Next week's question: "What is the difference between a religion and a cult?"
A while back I stumbled across this fantastic series of videos on critical thinking. They are an essential crash course in basic logic, critical thinking and great for explaining what logical fallacies are. Although they are a great resource for...Should antivaccination literature be banned, because it potentially harms people, or allowed, to protect free speech?
Give us your answers in the comments, and our favourite (as well as the most interesting) responses will be read out and discussed on the show next week!Belinda, Rachael and Jack set their sights on misconceptions surrounding genetically-modified organisms, why our fingers get wrinkly in the bath, and a study that investigates the language-acquisition skills of newborn babies. Jargonauts enlightens everyone about the word "quiescent", and we look at both your thoughts on spirituality and end-of-life care, as well as the opinions of Sydney's citizens on the issue. Next week's question: "Should antivaccination literature be banned, because it potentially harms people, or allowed, to protect free speech?"
I'm not saying that anyone has plans to make a computer game about superhero skeptics. But if there was one, Daniel Loxton would be the penultimate Big Bad and would require double-checking of the save game slot before you walk into his innocent-looking Canadian den of art and wonder and spot his bookish figure pouring over historical tomes.Belinda and Jack are joined by American skeptics and atheists Astrid Lydia Johannsen and Ellen Lundgren from the Skeptic Freethought blogging network to discuss various issues related to young people in the skeptical and secular communities.
Who here started off skeptical the first time they heard of anthropogenic global warming (AGW)? I certainly did. It was a big bombshell that had huge consequences and I felt I needed more evidence. So I looked at the arguments...
When most people think of skeptics, the last thing they would think of is weddings, romance and poetry. My lovely wife, Joni, and I got married back in July. My brother did the honours as he is a Baptist minister....This post is devoted to the question we asked on Episode 72 of The Pseudoscientists podcast: How important is spirituality in end-of-life care? Give us your answers in the comments, and our favourite (as well as the most interesting) responses will...Jack, Sarah and Belinda are joined by YAS writer and comedian Ben Vernel to rip into science-themed sitcom The Big Bang Theory, find out why fonts can hinder your learning, why asparagus might help fight hangovers and why archaea are cool, and discuss spiritual care for terminal patients.
Thanks to the inadvertent rallying power of Stephanie Zvan at Almost Diamonds — who very kindly wrote about our relaunch the other day — the Young Australian Skeptics is thrilled to announce that we’ll be collaborating with two other youth-focused, skeptical blogging groups...