Category Archives: Skepticism

Scientists Should March

Posted on 9 April 2017 by Joseph Shoer

Scientists are planning a “March for Science” in Washington, DC and many other cities on 22 April 2017. Some commentators seem to think this is a bad idea, because it would politicize science. Before I continue, let me suggest the … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Science, Skepticism, Social commentary | 1 Comment

Back to the Future

Posted on 7 December 2014 by Joseph Shoer

This week, NASA launched the Orion spacecraft on a test flight. I have a conflicted viewpoint about this event. To me, Orion is both exciting and deeply disappointing. On the one hand, Orion is NASA’s first entirely new spacecraft for … Continue reading →

Posted in Concepts, NASA, Skepticism, Space | 1 Comment

Despite tactical errors, Bill Nye is right

Posted on 6 February 2014 by Joseph Shoer

Tuesday night, Bill Nye (the Science Guy) had a webcast debate with Ken Ham, founder of the Creation Museum. In many respects, this was a silly idea. Nye wasn’t going to change any minds, and I think he fell into … Continue reading →

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The Most Important Issue

Posted on 21 October 2012 by Joseph Shoer

I’ve seen some political surveys recently that ask respondents to pick the most important issue to them from a predefined list, and I’ve never had any of these lists include what I think is the most important issue facing our … Continue reading →

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Why to be Skeptical of Mars One

Posted on 8 June 2012 by Joseph Shoer

Dutch company Mars One offers a plan to start colonizing the Red Planet by, ostensibly, 2023 – starting with a “colony” of four and growing the base every year. There are a lot of reasons to be skeptical of this plan. … Continue reading →

Posted in Skepticism, Space | 2 Comments

Planetary Resources: Prospects and Challenges

Posted on 24 April 2012 by Joseph Shoer

A number of well-funded and well-connected entrepreneurs are kicking off Planetary Resources, a company devoted to harvesting materials from near-Earth asteroids. Now before you go scoffing (or wondering how to “greatly enable” things) – this is by no means a … Continue reading →

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Antitechnocracy

Posted on 14 January 2012 by Joseph Shoer

A reporter from This American Life did something interesting for today’s broadcast: she brought together a ninth-grade global warming skeptic and the executive director of the National Earth Science Teachers Association together in the show studio for a discussion. (Audio available here.) … Continue reading →

Posted in People, Science, Skepticism, Social commentary | Leave a comment