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If you're actually interested in skepticism, I recommend the podcast Skeptics Guide to the Universe (SGU). James Randi was a good friend of the hosts. The show

by igor47 1y ago

If you're actually interested in skepticism, I recommend the podcast Skeptics Guide to the Universe (SGU). James Randi was a good friend of the hosts. The show mainly is a discussion of general science news from a skeptical lens. Their attitude towards the paranormal stuff is pretty dismissive, but this is because they've engaged with the believers for decades and have discovered a complete disregard for evidence or truth in those communities. I also really the movie "behind the curve", which goes deep into the flat earth movement. Really a great way to understand what motivates these people (status in their community, mostly) and how they think (with lots of bias).

shusaku 1y ago
> James Randi was a good friend of the hosts. Maybe not a timely recommendation after reading an article that says > James Randi (1928–2020), whose career I considered in my October 26, 2020, article “The Man Who Destroyed Skepticism.”
- mistercow 1y ago
  OK, so this author doesn’t like James Randi. So what? We’re discussing in a thread about his post, so his word is gospel?
- lupusreal 1y ago
  Reasonably good article. I don't agree that Randi was wrong to be dismissive of so called "academic" purveyors of parapsychology, but do agree that his belligerence and general methods were a problem. Coining catchy insults based on rhymes of people's names is just schoolyard bullying, it has nothing to do with skepticism but thanks in part to Randi this kind of infantile belligerence became synonymous with skepticism. This kind of association is why I usually tell people that I'm "not religious" instead of an atheist. When I describe myself as an atheist people recoil and brace themselves, as though I've just thrown down a challenge and announced my intent to sperg out and start throwing insults. An association they've learned from experience, as I've seen it done myself more times than I can count.

by igor47 1y ago

shusaku 1y ago

> James Randi was a good friend of the hosts. Maybe not a timely recommendation after reading an article that says > James Randi (1928–2020), whose career I considered in my October 26, 2020, article “The Man Who Destroyed Skepticism.”

mistercow 1y ago
OK, so this author doesn’t like James Randi. So what? We’re discussing in a thread about his post, so his word is gospel?
lupusreal 1y ago
Reasonably good article. I don't agree that Randi was wrong to be dismissive of so called "academic" purveyors of parapsychology, but do agree that his belligerence and general methods were a problem. Coining catchy insults based on rhymes of people's names is just schoolyard bullying, it has nothing to do with skepticism but thanks in part to Randi this kind of infantile belligerence became synonymous with skepticism. This kind of association is why I usually tell people that I'm "not religious" instead of an atheist. When I describe myself as an atheist people recoil and brace themselves, as though I've just thrown down a challenge and announced my intent to sperg out and start throwing insults. An association they've learned from experience, as I've seen it done myself more times than I can count.