Let’s Try That Again — Reflections on Reincarnation

I must admit that I am skeptical about reincarnation for a wide variety of reasons. The existence of a non-material personal essence is problematic in light of the latest discoveries in neuroscience. The evidence that has been offered of children having remarkably accurate memories of “past lives” is extremely hard to verify as untainted by [...]

The Hand of God – 17,000 light years from earth

If you haven’t seen the photo of the Chandra Nebula recently released by NASA, you’ll want to take a look below. It’s simply stunning in its own right, and it’s a great example of “pareidolia” — a type of illusion or misperception involving a vague or obscure stimulus being perceived as something clear and distinct. [...]

The World’s Funniest Joke – Quirkology Strikes Again

In a previous post, I shared with you some of the quirky facts I learned from reading Richard Wiseman’s excellent book, Quirkology: How We Discover the Big Truths in Small Things. This time I want to share with you some of the contenders from a chapter entitled, “The Scientific Search for The World’s Funniest Joke.”
In [...]

No Males Needed… Is this female heaven or hell?

This is a fascinating ant species. Apparently, THERE ARE NO MALES! None. Zero. Zip.
So, my question is, “Ladies, what do you think of this as a model for which humanity should strive?” 
The article comes from National Geographic.
ALL-FEMALE ANT SPECIES FOUND
April 17, 2009—Save the males? Too late for Mycocepurus smithii (pictured).
This leaf-cutter ant [...]

Quirky facts from Quirkology

I have just finished reading Richard Wiseman’s wonderful book, Quirkology: How We Discover The Big Truths in Small Things. I highly recommend this book. It’s a fun read with lot’s of fascinating information.
Wiseman defines ‘quirkology’ as using “scientific methods to study the more curious aspects of everyday life” (p.3).
Here are just a few of the [...]

Consulting Psychics for Financial Advice

During this economic malaise, maybe you should consider obtaining financial advise from a psychic. Surely a psychic’s paranormal abilities could help you beat the market.
Or maybe not.
Here’s an interesting comment from Joe Nickel, paranormal investigator extraordinaire. This is a reprint from the Center for Inquiry’s blog.
Psychics Blind in Investment Scandal
March 25, 2009
Now we know: Buffalo-area [...]

Wanna come with me?

This will be my very first time to attend THE AMAZING MEETING – known as TAM7. It is run by the James Randi Educational Foundation.
This 4 day conference will be held in Las Vegas from July 9-12 at the South Point Casino Hotel & Spa. Here’s James Randi in a video to tell you a [...]

Nature Is So Cool: A Frog That Fits On Your Fingertip

How amazing is this?!!  Read the rest of the article from Live Science below.
By LiveScience Staff
A tiny, “midget” frog that can fit on the tip of a finger — and previously only known by its croaking — has finally been found by researchers.
The frog, dubbed Noble’s Pygmy frog (Noblella pygmaea), is the smallest ever found [...]

Just because everyone else is doing it…

Well, the video below is making the rounds on skeptical, science, atheist and related blogs.
So, simply because I don’t want to feel left out or left behind or left alone, I am posting it too.
: )
More seriously, it’s a fun video on what it means to be genuinely open-minded. Hope you enjoy it.
[...]

This is a F****** Outrage – Dogma at its worst.

One of the biggest problems I have with dogma is that it provides a cover for all of kinds of baser and ignoble human tendencies – racism, tribalism, ultra-nationalism, sadism, and misogyny among them. The latter is the focus of the article I have reprinted below. It gets my blood boiling and makes me feel [...]