1. British schools are falling for the pseudoscience of Brain Gym. Why fill kids' heads with nonsense?

Comment #161284 by NewSkeptic on April 15, 2008 at 5:43 am

I think 'Brain Gym' is, to put it kindly, the oxymoron of the exercises applied to that name.

(Perhaps the real exercise of 'Brain Gym' is what is happening here; the critical thinking that puts an enormous hole in the propaganda.)

2. Two More Fleas

Comment #142436 by NewSkeptic on March 12, 2008 at 1:40 pm

Why don't the pro-religious group understood that the burden of proof falls upon them?

Berlinski's 'arguments' demonstrate that he has not heard any of the very simple, very clear, very logical messages in The God Delusion.

It's depressing that they choose to ignore common sense. :-(

3. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #127986 by NewSkeptic on February 15, 2008 at 8:38 pm

I can easily imagine the French putting a protective arm about Ayaan; maybe there's an understanding between them, that if Ayaan becomes a French National then France will arrange for her safety.

Speaking out against any religion should not cost you your life.

If we agree with that, then we must support those who espouse that principle, and have put their life at stake to do so.

(I'm preaching to the choir, aren't I? Please excuse the utterly inappropriate turn-of-phrase. ;)

4. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125552 by NewSkeptic on February 11, 2008 at 3:24 pm

Thank you, Mr. Simonyi, for your far-sighted, clear and exciting vision, to help promote science and to help shine the light of knowledge (please excuse the cliche) in a world of confusion and darkness.

Your contribution is valuable beyond measure and we should all hope to, in our own small way, help contribute to, and support, the ideal you propound.

James.

5. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125192 by NewSkeptic on February 11, 2008 at 3:54 am

Can I suggest Neil de Grasse Tyson?

Is there any grounds on which he wouldn't qualify? He's an excellent communicator. Is his contribution to his field sufficient for him to be a serious candidate?

6. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125136 by NewSkeptic on February 11, 2008 at 2:38 am

Professor Dawkins,

I just want to endorse the comments already made by Styrer and others, wish you a Happy 'Retirement' and say that I very much look forward to your next contribution to the raising of the public's consciousness of the wonder and clarity of science.

Best Wishes, James.

7. Happy Birthday Josh Timonen!

Comment #120590 by NewSkeptic on February 2, 2008 at 4:57 am

Happy Birthday Josh!

... and thanks for the website that figures so strongly in my life. :-)

Best Wishes, James.

8. Darwin Day (Feb 12th) E-Cards

Comment #114183 by NewSkeptic on January 21, 2008 at 1:49 pm

Tiktaalik should certainly feature, given its relative prominence as an evolutionary talking point.

9. Carl Sagan's COSMOS begins airing on Jan 8th

Comment #110714 by NewSkeptic on January 12, 2008 at 5:45 am

To 'the boot' and all others in Australia (who have cable/Foxtel)

Cosmos is in episode 2 (as I write!) on the Ovation channel (if you have digital).

I have just received the DVDs for Christmas; now I can also enjoy the fact that the media is airing the series again, hopefully many new fans will enjoy it and learn, just as so many of us did.

I'm glad Carl, Annie, Steven, etc. created Cosmos. Despite its critics, it has helped inspire new generations of scientists, who carry wonder and skepticism both.

10. Arguments Against Evolution

Comment #82371 by NewSkeptic on October 26, 2007 at 7:20 am

If we were 'intelligently designed', then why does one tube, rather than two, lead to the lungs *and* the stomach. Surely, if God had wanted us to avoid death by choking, we'd have a design similar to the dolphin? Why 'two' kidneys, when one will get us by? If the appendix isn't just a surplus of good bacteria, then why is it there? And just why don't we have eyes in the back of our head? 'Intelligent Design' contradictions, and the fact that most of our DNA appears to be 'junk', must surely, by 'proof by contradiction', add to the evolution argument?

11. I'm an atheist, BUT . . .

Comment #54449 by NewSkeptic on July 7, 2007 at 7:22 am

I'm an atheist, BUT ... I cannot tell that to enough people!

12. Observer Diary 27th May 2007

Comment #45302 by NewSkeptic on May 27, 2007 at 6:05 am

Ditto, BAEOZ. I've watched Virus Of Faith a number of times now, and am looking to see how many other people are interested in viewing it.

I also noticed that the voice-over, at the end of the presentation, said that the book "The Root Of All Evil?" was available from ABC bookshops. Now, if I know RD's published list, I'd guess that the voice-over was meant to be spruiking TGD instead.

Richard, please come to Australia.

13. A galactic fossil - Star is found to be 13.2 billion years old

Comment #43970 by NewSkeptic on May 23, 2007 at 5:29 am

Maybe it's not so much a 'fossil', as it is a 'living fossil'; just like the coelocanth (sp?), the crocodile and the shark.

Astronomy just keeps getting better and better, and this discovery comes from the ground based ESO! Just wait until the James Webb is in orbit. Anyone want to take a guess what will come from that? I can't, but I know I can barely wait. :-)

14. Here Comes the Fourth Musketeer.

Comment #33690 by NewSkeptic on April 21, 2007 at 6:21 am

I would like to second Russell Blackford's motion that Ayaan Hirsi Ali be added to the list of 'clear thinking' leaders.

Although I agree with the late Dr. Sagan that we should not 'make heroes', Ayaan's autobiography does describe a person who looked for reason, and showed astonishing courage in the strong choices she made in her life.

Her autobiography was one which I could scarcely stop reading.

Without 'making heroes', it can still be said that her courage is exemplary, and she stands easily as a role model, just as do Mr. Christopher Hichens, the extraordinary Professor Dawkins and the inimitable Dr. Carl Sagan.