Promoting Science and Critical Thinking
Secularphobia is one of those phobia words that rather a lot of people have a bit of a phobia about (logo-phobia perhaps). Such words do convey and describe fears that are quite real. Some we are familiar with … Homophobia: there still are many out there with an irrational fear of people who were born … Read more
You now have an opportunity to assist in the naming of a series of planets, and this is quite real. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is inviting anybody interested to help them in the name selection process for newly discovered ExoWorlds and so here is the timeline of it all (as explained on their website) … … Read more
So yesterday was finally the day to walk the Ancestors Trail, a walk that is not just a walk, but an annual biological pilgrimage through Epping forest and the Lee valley that combines walking, evolution and art. As you proceed, each step takes you back in time to the origins of life and so step by … Read more
Now here is a nice poster that has been circulating. Many of those who dare to embrace doubt see it, click “Like”, and then share it in turn with others, and so it, or some variation of it, continue to circulate. There are however a couple of things that bother me here. Now please do … Read more
A recent article in Salon reports on the rising tide of disbelief in Saudi Arabia … In this country known as the cradle of Islam, where religion gives legitimacy to the government and state-appointed clerics set rules for social behavior, a growing number of Saudis are privately declaring themselves atheists. The evidence is anecdotal, but … Read more
So how should people who are on the receiving end of a constant stream of hate mail respond? There are of course many options that range from the snide rebuttal, through to a well-reasoned appeal designed to stir up human empathy, or perhaps even to rise above it all and ignore it. Given all the distinct possibilities … Read more