25 September 2013

Lecture 1: The Keys to Critical Thinking

Uri Geller. The Geller Effect. Two students attempt to bend a key with their minds. The problem of unplanned observation. Eyewitness testimony. GIGO. "As described is not the same as "as it happened."

A companion course guide can be downloaded here: http://jref.swmirror.com/20730


Talking to the Dead: James Van Praagh Tested

James Van Praagh and other practitioners of so-called channeling & communica­ting with deceased people have consistently avoided James Randi's Million Dollar Challenge test to prove their psychic abilities. In this video, Miklos Jako, a knowledgeable layman, tests Van Praagh's ability simply by having a session with him and analyzing what went on.

The results, though not strictly scientific, are pretty conclusive, as well as entertaining.

Miklos Jako is a retired teacher, who has investigated religion and related topics all his life. He is the author of Confronting Believers (Infinity Publishing). He graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover, MA, and Colby College, ME.


Jon Stewart and Richard Dawkins Will It Be Science or Religion That Dooms Us All - The Daily Show 24/09/13

Jon Stewart and Richard Dawkins Will It Be Science or Religion That Dooms Us All JonStewartDaily