History

Christmas as we know it is appropriated, co-opted, bastardised… and thoroughly magical

Paul Duncan McGarrity - 23rd December 2020

There's plenty to be skeptical about when it comes to the origins of Christmas, but that won't stop me embracing the warmth and magic of it all.

History

History is written by the victors, and the losers, and by everyone else as well

Victoria Stiles - 14th December 2020

There is no single 'true' version of history - pretending there is merely props up the status quo, rather than advancing our understanding

History

Time Team’s archaeologists showed us how experts can ruthlessly unpick a hoax

Paul Duncan McGarrity - 27th November 2020

Channel 4's archaeology show Time Team's quiet destruction of a would-be hoaxer was a glorious illustration of the power of calm, patient expertise

9/11

GESARA: From 9/11 ‘truth’ to global economic conspiracy

Thiago Vahia Malliagros - 10th November 2020

The way in which the GESARA plot has changed over time shows us that conspiracy theories don't disappear, they merely evolve.

Conspiracy Theories

Plagues and plots: throughout history, epidemics and conspiracy theories have gone hand-in-hand

Deborah Hyde - 9th November 2020

From the anti-Semitic Flagellants of the Black Death to modern day 5G-hating COVID deniers, epidemics have always driven conspiracy theories.

Ghosts

Ghosts, curses and werewolves: archaeologists see human belief up close

Paul Duncan McGarrity - 30th October 2020

Dealing with human remains teaches us we don't have to share somebody's belief to respect them - as long as those beliefs aren't causing harm

History

The witch’s itch: possible explanations for the symptoms of the Salem ‘victims’

Ara Eagan - 29th October 2020

While much has been written about those accused of witchcraft in Salem, a modern understanding of psychology can shed light on the reports of their alleged 'victims'

History

By invoking ‘Spirit of the Blitz’ nostalgia, we do a disservice to what was achieved on the home front

Victoria Stiles - 27th October 2020

Rose-tinted references to the 'Spirit of the Blitz' miss the real story of deep inequality, and of progress built through campaigning and protesting

1...567 8 Page 6 of 8

- Advertisement -

First do no harm? Treatments don’t need to be harmless, as long they do good

Moroccan Argan oil is an interesting traditional product, but it’s certainly no panacea

Animals, acupuncture and alt-med: the Brazilian penguin being subjected to Enya

Wim Hof: the self-described ‘Ice man’ whose extreme health claims leave many cold

Menstrual masking: the inadvisable trend of treating acne… with period blood

First do no harm? Treatments don’t need to be harmless, as long they do good

Pacemakers don’t work when they’re switched off – we should doubt studies that say otherwise

Moroccan Argan oil is an interesting traditional product, but it’s certainly no panacea

Animals, acupuncture and alt-med: the Brazilian penguin being subjected to Enya

The evidence for pill colour impacting placebo effects gets flimsier the more you examine it

From the archive: Many Happy Returns – Are past-life regressions evidence for reincarnation?

From the archives: The Art of Fakery – Fakes and forgeries at the British Museum

From the archives: A skeptical look at astrology

When it comes to science, the standard has to be truth and accuracy – not false balance

From the archives: UFOs Over Russia

Comparing misinformation to a virus is both accurate and useful in preventing its spread

2000 mules: why many Americans are convinced Trump won the 2020 election

Welcome to the modern American Right – the world that high weirdness built

Donald Trump’s debate performance proved he has mainstreamed extreme conspiracy theories

Med Beds: the futuristic health devices promising to cure you with undefined energy

The meaning crisis, and how we rescue young men from reactionary politics

From the archive: Many Happy Returns – Are past-life regressions evidence for reincarnation?

Faking the faking of fake news, 1910 style: the ‘death’ of film star Florence Lawrence

Unborn in the USA: being honest about IUDs could help us fight the anti-abortion movement

Exploding the myth of the longevity “Blue Zones”, where people live beyond the age of 100

Scientific publication is now fully digital – so who is responsible for preserving our archives?

HADD its day: there’s no evidence for an inherited hyperactive agency detection device

Unborn in the USA: being honest about IUDs could help us fight the anti-abortion movement

The evidence for pill colour impacting placebo effects gets flimsier the more you examine it

Comparing misinformation to a virus is both accurate and useful in preventing its spread

History

Latest news

First do no harm? Treatments don’t need to be harmless, as long they do good

Pacemakers don’t work when they’re switched off – we should doubt studies that say otherwise

The meaning crisis, and how we rescue young men from reactionary politics

Scientific publication is now fully digital – so who is responsible for preserving our archives?

From the archive: Many Happy Returns – Are past-life regressions evidence for reincarnation?

About

Categories

Shop