happy father’s day! i would like to say that i’m with my daughter right now but her grandma has taken her from me! for three hours. to church. …so i’ll see her in a few hours. anyways, here is some cool stuff to check out:
today, steven novella (pres. of the skeptic’s guide to the universe), has revealed his definition of a modern skeptic:
A skeptic is one who prefers beliefs and conclusions that are reliable and valid to ones that are comforting or convenient, and therefore rigorously and openly applies the methods of science and reason to all empirical claims, especially their own. A skeptic provisionally proportions acceptance of any claim to valid logic and a fair and thorough assessment of available evidence, and studies the pitfalls of human reason and the mechanisms of deception so as to avoid being deceived by others or themselves. Skepticism values method over any particular conclusion.
he continues on as to why he, sagan, and shermer have adopted this term to describe themselves over other terms.
skepchic has some funny drawrings of the do’s and don’ts of parenting (i saw this book at sundance the other day coincedentally). there is also a new video by brian dunning (skeptoid) on critical thinking, called Here Be Dragons: An Introduction to Critical Thinking.
check out these great shirts on teaching the controversy.
dallas r., on this issue of the new yorker:
I love the The New Yorker magazine. Twice a year they offer up a special fiction issue, with the latest issue currently out. Having a issue mostly dedicated to fiction is cool enough, but this issue includes a gathering of short essays under the header “Faith and Doubt.” All excellent reading. And James Wood also tackles theodicy in his review of Bart Ehrman’s “God’s Problem.” And the plus side for you? They are all available online. Enjoy!
Faith and Doubt
Communion by Uwem Akpan
Winter Light by Tobias Wolff
Crabs by Edwidge Danticant
Mysteries of Flight by Mohammed Naseehu Ali
Counting Pages by Allegra Goodman
Hypocrites by George SanudersReview
Holiday in Hellmouth by James Wood
