Promoting Science and Critical Thinking
Viral fake videos abound because they tickle our imagination. So how do you effectively debunk one? If you were faced with a talking head where somebody proceeds to debunk it fact by fact, then most eyes will rapidly glaze over and the vast majority will simply move on. Is there a better solution? Actually, yes … Read more
Historically the US FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has tended to turn a bit of blind eye to Homeopathy. That however has just changed … Enforcement Policy Statement on Marketing Claims for OTC Homeopathic Drugs The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is issuing this Policy Statement to provide guidance regarding its enforcement policy with respect to marketing claims … Read more
For what are rather obvious reasons this claim is dead in the water, however just prior to the election is was thriving. It is inevitable that a Hillary would have given it a huge boost and that it would then continue to have circulated for quite some time. OK, so what was going on here? It … Read more
When faced with claims that Homeopathy works, then you might perhaps reply by citing a scientific study that demonstrates that it does not. If whoever you are conversing with is a practising homeopath, then this is not unfamiliar territory, and they in turn will have a similar scientific study that will soon be plucked out and waved … Read more
Elon Musk has outlined his plan to send one million people off to colonize Mars. Not only is he being sincere about this ambition, but he also has a viable plan to get there. The astronomer Phil Plait has written a response to Mr Musk’s plans in Slate, and as you read it, you can almost hear … Read more
We do all know that it is perhaps part of the human condition for many wacky ideas to float about, but sometimes even that knowledge does not insulate you from being surprised when something truly bizarre pops it. Perhaps the degree of surprise is in some respects source driven. Conservapedia is a well-known bastion of absurd nonsense and … Read more