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Philo
Skeptic Friend
66 Posts |
 Posted - 10/15/2018 : 13:34:49
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The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe (or mostly Steven Novella, as one would predict), has recently released a book with the same name.
Has anyone of you read it? If so, what did you think of it? Reading reviews, it has received virtually only positive reviews from what I can see.
Steven Novella has described it as being a reference for various skeptical concepts for both novice and veteran skeptics, and sort of an update of Carl Sagan's classic The Demon-Haunted World.
[Moved to Book Reviews - Dave W.]
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Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13477 Posts |
Posted - 10/17/2018 : 08:51:20 [Permalink]
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I haven't read it but I'd probably enjoy the book. I do like his articles with Science-Based Medicine and his essays on skepticism.
I tend to lend out my copy of The Demon-Haunted World to family members and friends who I think could use a bit more skepticism. So far, they've returned it. Guess I'm lucky that way.
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Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous.
Why not question something for a change?
Genetic Literacy Project |
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
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Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13477 Posts |
 Posted - 10/27/2018 : 11:40:55 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by Dave W.
Greg Laden likes the book, too.
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I think Laden was a bit unfair about how Randi views AGW. Yes, Randi made a mistake but he took it back in spades. And quickly. I don't think you get to erase erase all of Randi's contributions to skepticism over an admitted mistake and accuse the guy of not being what he claims to be. A Skeptic.
I'll go with him on his accusation that Penn Jillette is not really a skeptic, and it's only gotten worse with Penn's promotion of a diet and the claims about it.
And yes, some high profile skeptics have stopped calling themselves "skeptics" over problems they perceive in whatever community there is, while still doing what they've always done as skeptics. Sharon Hill just did the same thing. Jeff Wagg did it a while ago. I'm cool with people doing that.
This gets into a whole other area and is a serious digression in this thread, but I got my hackles up when Laden, who I like, said Randi is not what he claims to be as if Laden has never made a mistake. The important thing is to admit when you are wrong, and Randi did that. |
Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous.
Why not question something for a change?
Genetic Literacy Project |
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Philo
Skeptic Friend
66 Posts |
Posted - 10/28/2018 : 04:54:01 [Permalink]
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I agree with you about Randi. One mistake like that does not invalidate all the good work he has done.
As fot the label "skeptic", it is already internationally established, and has been so for at least a few decades. Fretting about it feels like a waste of time. Yes, it can be abused by denialists, but so what? Every term can be abused, and if you came up with an alternative term, that too could, and probably would, be abused. China and North Korea call themselves democratic republics even though they are neither. Does that mean that we should stop talking about democracies and republics when speaking about countries' forms of government?
Steven Novella a decade ago wrote about the label thing: https://www.skepticblog.org/2008/11/17/skeptic-the-name-thing-again/ |
| Edited by - Philo on 10/28/2018 04:54:22 |
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Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13477 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2018 : 11:31:32 [Permalink]
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| Well... I'm still okay with self-identifying as a skeptic. |
Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous.
Why not question something for a change?
Genetic Literacy Project |
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Philo
Skeptic Friend
66 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2018 : 11:28:07 [Permalink]
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So far at least, the book has received very good reviews at Amazon. Though I suspect the readership is somewhat self-selected. ;)
It is a very handy book to have around, with explanations of various skeptical concepts, ideas for how to talk to less skeptical family members and friends and so on. |
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ThorGoLucky
Snuggle Wolf
USA
1487 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2018 : 15:00:16 [Permalink]
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I early ordered the book and I skimmed it. It's a nice summary what I've learned in my skepti-circles over the years.
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The new SGU book
