Open Access to Scientific papers … the pressure is growing

The academic rebellion initiated by Cambridge mathematician Tim Gowers is growing in strength. First a bit of context. The Victorian model of academic publishing has become obsolete because of the Internet and so historical momentum is the only reason these publishers continue to own and profit from researchers’ copyrights, review work and editorial efforts. If … Read more

Religious attempts at Shifting the Burden of Proof

It is interesting to observe how thoughts tend to ripple into communities, but perhaps not a surprise. As various groups interact and meet on the Internet, ideas are debated; the result …some proposals are rapidly quashed while others survive and so take root and often get repeated. Perhaps what we are seeing is akin to … Read more

Would you sell your soul … for a cookie perhaps?

Did you know that the word “Soul” does not describe anything real? I do hope so. For religious folks it is supposed to be the incorporeal (and immortal) essence of you. There is in fact no consensus, some beliefs claim that only humans have soul’s while others suggest that all biological organisms have souls. There … Read more

“Radical secularism” : Debunking the latest claims

It’s traditional to stick a few exclamation marks along with the words “Radical secularism”, but since I’m not a religious nut, I’ve left them off. So the Catholic News Service has a story with a few items in it that deserve some commentary. It is the usual waffle about the evils of secularism… “Radical secularism” … Read more

Experience: I tried to ‘cure’ gay people

The Guardian had a great article yesterday by a chap called Jeremy Marks. In it he describes how back in the 80’s he started a group called “Courage” with the primary aim of “Curing” gay folks. He himself was, and still is, gay. He writes … …in 1986, I came across a group called the True Freedom Trustand went … Read more

Petition Alert: Please sign this petition in solidarity with the victims of the State Religion of Pakistan

Mr Ghulam Mustafa Lakho is a very brave man. He is a non-believer who lives in Karachi, Pakistan and is also Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He has a petition that he would like you to sign … The Secretary-General, United Nations: Recognize “The International Day Against State Religion” The petition reads … … Read more