Categories
Announcements Skepticism/critical thinking

The 50th Meeting of the Skeptics’ Circle: Carl Sagan (Pseudo) Memorial/Demon-Haunted World (Pseudo) Homage

Yes, it’s that time again, time for another Meeting of the Skeptics’ Circle. Given that yesterday was the 10th anniversary of the death of Carl Sagan at the too-young age of 62, this edition of the Circle, posted at Humbug! Online, is a tribute to the man and his dedication to science and skepticism. Theo […]

Categories
Cancer Clinical trials Medicine Surgery

On the messiness of evidence-based medicine

I’m about a week late on this one. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if some of my readers were wondering why I hadn’t weighed in on this story when it broke late last week. (Either that, or no one was wondering, and I’m just displaying some of my surgeon’s ego for all to see.) […]

Categories
History Holocaust Holocaust denial

David Irving to be released

It’s about time: An Austrian appeals court has ruled that UK historian David Irving – jailed for denying the Holocaust – should be released on probation. Irving is now being held in police detention and will be deported to the UK on Thursday, officials said. Irving was convicted in February in a case that sparked […]

Categories
Announcements Science

Tangled Bank

Tangled Bank #69 has been posted at Salto Sobrius. Martin is labeling it the War on Christmas Edition. He’s joking. At least, I think he’s joking…

Categories
Science Skepticism/critical thinking

Three things about Carl Sagan

Today is the tenth anniversary of Carl Sagan‘s death from myelodysplasia at the too-young age of 62. On this day, as part of the Carl Sagan Memorial Blogathon (more here), I’d like to explore three observations about Sagan. First and foremost, Carl Sagan was brilliant at expressing the sense of wonder at the universe and […]