Society

When skepticism collides with human experience. The societal implications of scientific skepticism.

Conspiracy Theories

From scam product ads to conspiracy theories, misinformation always adapts to survive

Michael Marshall - 18th November 2020

The techniques developed by affiliate marketers to spread scam products mirrors the way in which conspiracy theories nimbly adapt to spread misinformation

Society

Rebecca Fox on… Social Media

Rebecca Fox - 12th November 2020

Viral claims on social media are expressions of the anxieties people feel - even if the claims aren't true, those anxieties and feelings are

Paranormal

Captured by Aliens? A History and Analysis of American Abduction Claims, by Nigel Watson

Chris French - 11th November 2020

'Captured by Aliens?' is an excellent introduction to alleged alien contact, but misses the opportunity to update on previous editions

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.

Skepticism

How to start having better arguments, according to the evidence

Mark Horne, Matt Kemp - 6th November 2020

What does the evidence tell us about how to engage with people we disagree with? Mark Horne and artist Matt Kemp find out.

Politics

Brazil’s government throw their weight behind Creationism and Intelligent Design

Natália Pasternak, Carlos Orsi - 2nd November 2020

Driven by the Discovery Institute, Creationism and Intelligent Design have been gaining ground in Brazil, and finding support in government.

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

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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

Society

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?

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