Skeptical Inquirer
@skepticalinquirer.bsky.social
Promoting scientific inquiry, critical thinking, science education, and the use of reason in examining important issues. www.skepticalinquirer.org
Grassroots skepticism isn’t glamorous. It’s cookies, AV cables, and 22 people arguing over Teflon.
Small rooms are where future leaders, funders, educators, and skeptics actually get formed.
Susan Gerbic reports back from SkeptiCamp Santa Cruz 2025: https://ow.ly/tWqx50XmS6x
Small rooms are where future leaders, funders, educators, and skeptics actually get formed.
Susan Gerbic reports back from SkeptiCamp Santa Cruz 2025: https://ow.ly/tWqx50XmS6x
November 5, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Grassroots skepticism isn’t glamorous. It’s cookies, AV cables, and 22 people arguing over Teflon.
Small rooms are where future leaders, funders, educators, and skeptics actually get formed.
Susan Gerbic reports back from SkeptiCamp Santa Cruz 2025: https://ow.ly/tWqx50XmS6x
Small rooms are where future leaders, funders, educators, and skeptics actually get formed.
Susan Gerbic reports back from SkeptiCamp Santa Cruz 2025: https://ow.ly/tWqx50XmS6x
CSI is turning 50, which in skeptic years is… about 4,000 conspiracy theories debunked.
Join us in Buffalo with Bill Nye, Leighann Lord, and the all-stars of science communication.
June 11–14, 2026.
Let’s celebrate the people who celebrate reality: CSIconference.org
Join us in Buffalo with Bill Nye, Leighann Lord, and the all-stars of science communication.
June 11–14, 2026.
Let’s celebrate the people who celebrate reality: CSIconference.org
October 27, 2025 at 11:00 PM
CSI is turning 50, which in skeptic years is… about 4,000 conspiracy theories debunked.
Join us in Buffalo with Bill Nye, Leighann Lord, and the all-stars of science communication.
June 11–14, 2026.
Let’s celebrate the people who celebrate reality: CSIconference.org
Join us in Buffalo with Bill Nye, Leighann Lord, and the all-stars of science communication.
June 11–14, 2026.
Let’s celebrate the people who celebrate reality: CSIconference.org
A quiet conversation between @twkskeptic.bsky.social and Gutsick Gibbon about teaching evolution, handling pushback, and leaving room for people to learn.
“Science is not a threat to anybody—it’s our way forward.”
Watch it here: youtu.be/NPFLd2UlJQA
“Science is not a threat to anybody—it’s our way forward.”
Watch it here: youtu.be/NPFLd2UlJQA
Promoting Evolutionary Science With YouTube - A Conversation With Gutsick Gibbon
YouTube video by Center for Inquiry
youtu.be
September 29, 2025 at 7:28 PM
A quiet conversation between @twkskeptic.bsky.social and Gutsick Gibbon about teaching evolution, handling pushback, and leaving room for people to learn.
“Science is not a threat to anybody—it’s our way forward.”
Watch it here: youtu.be/NPFLd2UlJQA
“Science is not a threat to anybody—it’s our way forward.”
Watch it here: youtu.be/NPFLd2UlJQA
. @kevinfolta.bsky.social: "Both men advanced to positions overseeing a vital national interest ... And by understanding the history of an unqualified person driving nonscientific decisions in scientific public policy, perhaps we can avoid another disaster."
skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/th...
skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/th...
The Parallels between RFK Jr and Tofrim Lysenko: When Pseudoscience Infects National Leadership | Skeptical Inquirer
His nation’s leadership placed him in a position of profound influence that would impact the health of a nation. Once installed, he offered rapid solutions ...
skepticalinquirer.org
September 26, 2025 at 8:15 PM
. @kevinfolta.bsky.social: "Both men advanced to positions overseeing a vital national interest ... And by understanding the history of an unqualified person driving nonscientific decisions in scientific public policy, perhaps we can avoid another disaster."
skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/th...
skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/th...
Barry Karr on Peter Popoff: “I have no words strong enough in my vocabulary to describe my feelings.”
That bluntness carried CSI through lawsuits, conferences, and four decades of keeping skepticism stitched together.
A proper legacy: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/08/barr...
That bluntness carried CSI through lawsuits, conferences, and four decades of keeping skepticism stitched together.
A proper legacy: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/08/barr...
Barry Karr Strengthened the Skeptical Community by Bringing People Together | Skeptical Inquirer
The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) started in 1976, thanks largely to the organizational and inspirational ...
skepticalinquirer.org
September 15, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Barry Karr on Peter Popoff: “I have no words strong enough in my vocabulary to describe my feelings.”
That bluntness carried CSI through lawsuits, conferences, and four decades of keeping skepticism stitched together.
A proper legacy: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/08/barr...
That bluntness carried CSI through lawsuits, conferences, and four decades of keeping skepticism stitched together.
A proper legacy: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/08/barr...
The NIH gave us CRISPR cures and leukemia pills that turned death sentences into long lives.
Now we’re planning to cut it nearly in half.
The math here doesn’t add up: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/08/nih-...
Now we’re planning to cut it nearly in half.
The math here doesn’t add up: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/08/nih-...
NIH Funding Cuts Hurt Basic Research and Patients | Skeptical Inquirer
Breakthroughs in medicine that transform patients’ lives for the better depend on adequately funding basic research, the kind of research that aims to under ...
skepticalinquirer.org
September 9, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The NIH gave us CRISPR cures and leukemia pills that turned death sentences into long lives.
Now we’re planning to cut it nearly in half.
The math here doesn’t add up: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/08/nih-...
Now we’re planning to cut it nearly in half.
The math here doesn’t add up: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/08/nih-...
Quackery is a reminder of how easily science can be distorted when profit comes first.
On Sept. 18, Dr. Robert Greenspan joins us to explore the history of medical pseudoscience and what it means today.
7pm ET | Free livestream, registration required: skepticalinquirer.org/video/histor...
On Sept. 18, Dr. Robert Greenspan joins us to explore the history of medical pseudoscience and what it means today.
7pm ET | Free livestream, registration required: skepticalinquirer.org/video/histor...
History of Medical Pseudoscience: A Collection of Quackery | Robert Greenspan | Skeptical Inquirer Presents
Science has advanced enormously in the past 500 years, guided by experimental tests of theory and practice. In that same time, science teaching and education—guided primarily by tradition and dogma—h...
skepticalinquirer.org
September 8, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Quackery is a reminder of how easily science can be distorted when profit comes first.
On Sept. 18, Dr. Robert Greenspan joins us to explore the history of medical pseudoscience and what it means today.
7pm ET | Free livestream, registration required: skepticalinquirer.org/video/histor...
On Sept. 18, Dr. Robert Greenspan joins us to explore the history of medical pseudoscience and what it means today.
7pm ET | Free livestream, registration required: skepticalinquirer.org/video/histor...
A documentary says psychic readings are “meaningful, even if they’re not real.”
Benjamin Radford digs into truth, ethics, and what it means to be “genuinely sincere” while selling unverifiable claims to grieving clients.
Smart, sharp, and necessary reading: skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/lo...
Benjamin Radford digs into truth, ethics, and what it means to be “genuinely sincere” while selling unverifiable claims to grieving clients.
Smart, sharp, and necessary reading: skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/lo...
Look into My Eyes: A Deeper Look | Skeptical Inquirer
In 2025 I was asked about a recent documentary film titled Look into My Eyes about a group of New York City psychics.1 Having a longtime interest in both ps ...
skepticalinquirer.org
June 30, 2025 at 5:34 PM
A documentary says psychic readings are “meaningful, even if they’re not real.”
Benjamin Radford digs into truth, ethics, and what it means to be “genuinely sincere” while selling unverifiable claims to grieving clients.
Smart, sharp, and necessary reading: skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/lo...
Benjamin Radford digs into truth, ethics, and what it means to be “genuinely sincere” while selling unverifiable claims to grieving clients.
Smart, sharp, and necessary reading: skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/lo...
Reposted by Skeptical Inquirer
Barry Karr is retiring. He has been a leading figure at @skepticalinquirer.bsky.social and in the skeptical movement for decades. He has always been there when I needed help. I consider him a friend and wish him all the best. Thank you for everything, Barry.
circuloesceptico.org/noticias/bar...
circuloesceptico.org/noticias/bar...
Barry Karr pasa el testigo a Stephen Hupp al frente del Comité para la Investigación Escéptica – Círculo Escéptico
circuloesceptico.org
June 30, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Barry Karr is retiring. He has been a leading figure at @skepticalinquirer.bsky.social and in the skeptical movement for decades. He has always been there when I needed help. I consider him a friend and wish him all the best. Thank you for everything, Barry.
circuloesceptico.org/noticias/bar...
circuloesceptico.org/noticias/bar...
Psychics didn’t solve this cold case.
Science and solid police work did. This piece reminds us why skepticism and science matter more than ever.
Read how a 52‑year‑old mystery was really solved: skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/no...
Science and solid police work did. This piece reminds us why skepticism and science matter more than ever.
Read how a 52‑year‑old mystery was really solved: skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/no...
No, a Psychic Did Not Correctly Predict the Location of a Missing Student’s Remains | Skeptical Inquirer
Originally from Pocatello, Idaho, Douglas Halliwell Brick was known as a bright but reserved student. Throughout high school, Brick had repeatedly made the ...
skepticalinquirer.org
June 25, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Psychics didn’t solve this cold case.
Science and solid police work did. This piece reminds us why skepticism and science matter more than ever.
Read how a 52‑year‑old mystery was really solved: skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/no...
Science and solid police work did. This piece reminds us why skepticism and science matter more than ever.
Read how a 52‑year‑old mystery was really solved: skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/no...
Reposted by Skeptical Inquirer
Check out the new issue of @skepticalinquirer.bsky.social with cover story pieces by the @theskepticsguide.bsky.social crew!
June 18, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Check out the new issue of @skepticalinquirer.bsky.social with cover story pieces by the @theskepticsguide.bsky.social crew!
"A series of eight studies has uncovered a consistent pattern among people who believe in conspiracy theories: they tend to be overconfident in their cognitive abilities and significantly overestimate how much others agree with them."
From @psypost.bsky.social: www.psypost.org/conspiracy-b...
From @psypost.bsky.social: www.psypost.org/conspiracy-b...
Conspiracy believers tend to overrate their cognitive abilities and think most others agree with them
People who believe in conspiracy theories tend to overestimate their own abilities and wrongly assume that others share their views, according to a new study. The findings highlight overconfidence as ...
www.psypost.org
June 17, 2025 at 6:20 PM
"A series of eight studies has uncovered a consistent pattern among people who believe in conspiracy theories: they tend to be overconfident in their cognitive abilities and significantly overestimate how much others agree with them."
From @psypost.bsky.social: www.psypost.org/conspiracy-b...
From @psypost.bsky.social: www.psypost.org/conspiracy-b...
Reposted by Skeptical Inquirer
My latest piece for
@skepticalinquirer.bsky.social recounts how the wildly popular but thoroughly pseudoscientific Telepathy Tapes podcast tried to silence one of its critics but failed. Not a good look. skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/th...
@skepticalinquirer.bsky.social recounts how the wildly popular but thoroughly pseudoscientific Telepathy Tapes podcast tried to silence one of its critics but failed. Not a good look. skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/th...
The Telepathy Tapes Tries to Silence a Critic—and Fails | Skeptical Inquirer
The wildly popular Telepathy Tapes podcast claims that nonspeaking people with autism can communicate fluently both by typing and—as the title suggests—tele ...
skepticalinquirer.org
May 30, 2025 at 1:54 PM
My latest piece for
@skepticalinquirer.bsky.social recounts how the wildly popular but thoroughly pseudoscientific Telepathy Tapes podcast tried to silence one of its critics but failed. Not a good look. skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/th...
@skepticalinquirer.bsky.social recounts how the wildly popular but thoroughly pseudoscientific Telepathy Tapes podcast tried to silence one of its critics but failed. Not a good look. skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/th...
Reposted by Skeptical Inquirer
My talk "Why Do We Believe Things That Are Eminently Consequential and Demonstrably Untrue? The 3M Model of False Belief" at @skepticalinquirer.bsky.social Skeptical Inquirer Presents.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxbH...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxbH...
The 3M Model of False Belief | Joe Pierre
YouTube video by Center for Inquiry
www.youtube.com
May 21, 2025 at 2:19 PM
My talk "Why Do We Believe Things That Are Eminently Consequential and Demonstrably Untrue? The 3M Model of False Belief" at @skepticalinquirer.bsky.social Skeptical Inquirer Presents.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxbH...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxbH...
Reposted by Skeptical Inquirer
A new homeopathy doc claims it can cure AIDS, regrow dog kneecaps, and replace real medicine. It’s funded by RFK Jr.'s org and 400K+ in industry cash 🫠
We watched it. You probably shouldn’t.
Here's the scoop from @skepticalinquirer.bsky.social: skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/be...
We watched it. You probably shouldn’t.
Here's the scoop from @skepticalinquirer.bsky.social: skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/be...
Be Wary of ‘Introducing Homeopathy,’ an Industry-Supported Propaganda Video | Skeptical Inquirer
I recently learned that Children’s Health Defense (CHD) has endorsed the extraordinarily nonsensical healing system known as homeopathy. CHD, the misinforma ...
skepticalinquirer.org
May 20, 2025 at 5:22 PM
A new homeopathy doc claims it can cure AIDS, regrow dog kneecaps, and replace real medicine. It’s funded by RFK Jr.'s org and 400K+ in industry cash 🫠
We watched it. You probably shouldn’t.
Here's the scoop from @skepticalinquirer.bsky.social: skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/be...
We watched it. You probably shouldn’t.
Here's the scoop from @skepticalinquirer.bsky.social: skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/be...
@tremond.bsky.social once fell for #JFK conspiracy theories.
Now he teaches teens how to spot logical fallacies, debunk ghost gadgets, and avoid getting duped.
His course is “the class to take if you want to become a better thinker.”
Check it out: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/04/high...
Now he teaches teens how to spot logical fallacies, debunk ghost gadgets, and avoid getting duped.
His course is “the class to take if you want to become a better thinker.”
Check it out: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/04/high...
Highly Effective Thinkers: Critical Thinking for Teens | Skeptical Inquirer
In winter 1991–1992, I went to the theater to see Oliver Stone’s blockbuster film JFK. As a cynical (as opposed to skeptical) eighteen-year-old college fres ...
skepticalinquirer.org
May 12, 2025 at 2:47 PM
@tremond.bsky.social once fell for #JFK conspiracy theories.
Now he teaches teens how to spot logical fallacies, debunk ghost gadgets, and avoid getting duped.
His course is “the class to take if you want to become a better thinker.”
Check it out: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/04/high...
Now he teaches teens how to spot logical fallacies, debunk ghost gadgets, and avoid getting duped.
His course is “the class to take if you want to become a better thinker.”
Check it out: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/04/high...
Reposted by Skeptical Inquirer
This month's column in @skepticalinquirer.bsky.social is now available for FREE: Here are the highlights. 🧵1/6
Read the full article ⬇️:
skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/fi... #nutrition #health
Read the full article ⬇️:
skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/fi... #nutrition #health
May 7, 2025 at 12:06 PM
This month's column in @skepticalinquirer.bsky.social is now available for FREE: Here are the highlights. 🧵1/6
Read the full article ⬇️:
skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/fi... #nutrition #health
Read the full article ⬇️:
skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/fi... #nutrition #health
@davidmcraney.bsky.social introduces a special critical thinking issue—featuring @critikid.bsky.social, @thinkingpowers.bsky.social, @quackwatch.bsky.social, and more.
Explore the intro and full issue: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/04/teac...
#CriticalThinking #ScienceEd
Explore the intro and full issue: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/04/teac...
#CriticalThinking #ScienceEd
May 1, 2025 at 6:19 PM
@davidmcraney.bsky.social introduces a special critical thinking issue—featuring @critikid.bsky.social, @thinkingpowers.bsky.social, @quackwatch.bsky.social, and more.
Explore the intro and full issue: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/04/teac...
#CriticalThinking #ScienceEd
Explore the intro and full issue: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/04/teac...
#CriticalThinking #ScienceEd
Reposted by Skeptical Inquirer
My latest for @skepticalinquirer.bsky.social is an interview with one of my heroes, C. Eugene Emery, skeptic and former science and medicine reporter for the Providence Journal and Reuters, now writing for PolitiFact. @poynterinstitute.bsky.social @reuters.com
skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/ch...
skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/ch...
Checking in with Gene Emery | Skeptical Inquirer
C. Eugene Emery Jr. is a science writer and skeptic. For forty years, he was a reporter for the Providence Journal newspaper in Providence, Rhode Island, mu ...
skepticalinquirer.org
April 30, 2025 at 1:03 PM
My latest for @skepticalinquirer.bsky.social is an interview with one of my heroes, C. Eugene Emery, skeptic and former science and medicine reporter for the Providence Journal and Reuters, now writing for PolitiFact. @poynterinstitute.bsky.social @reuters.com
skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/ch...
skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/ch...
Why are churches pushing authoritarianism?
Join journalist @katherinestewart.bsky.social as she exposes how religion, grievance, and lies are fueling a movement against democracy.
🗓️ April 17 | 7PM ET
🔴 Free #SkepticalInquirer Presents livestream—register now: skepticalinquirer.org/video/money-...
Join journalist @katherinestewart.bsky.social as she exposes how religion, grievance, and lies are fueling a movement against democracy.
🗓️ April 17 | 7PM ET
🔴 Free #SkepticalInquirer Presents livestream—register now: skepticalinquirer.org/video/money-...
a man in a suit and tie is standing in front of a building that says dailyshow
Alt: A man in a suit and tie stands in front of a building labeled 'Daily Show' as red, white, and blue balloons fall around him. He has an awkward smile.
media.tenor.com
April 16, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Why are churches pushing authoritarianism?
Join journalist @katherinestewart.bsky.social as she exposes how religion, grievance, and lies are fueling a movement against democracy.
🗓️ April 17 | 7PM ET
🔴 Free #SkepticalInquirer Presents livestream—register now: skepticalinquirer.org/video/money-...
Join journalist @katherinestewart.bsky.social as she exposes how religion, grievance, and lies are fueling a movement against democracy.
🗓️ April 17 | 7PM ET
🔴 Free #SkepticalInquirer Presents livestream—register now: skepticalinquirer.org/video/money-...
From pandemics to the climate crisis, humanity faces tremendous challenges.
Efforts to address these crises are often hampered by a common threat: politically and ideologically motivated opposition to science.
Watch Science Under Siege with #MichaelMann: youtu.be/BBOmd2XhMLY
Efforts to address these crises are often hampered by a common threat: politically and ideologically motivated opposition to science.
Watch Science Under Siege with #MichaelMann: youtu.be/BBOmd2XhMLY
Science under Siege | Michael Mann
YouTube video by Center for Inquiry
youtu.be
April 14, 2025 at 9:10 PM
From pandemics to the climate crisis, humanity faces tremendous challenges.
Efforts to address these crises are often hampered by a common threat: politically and ideologically motivated opposition to science.
Watch Science Under Siege with #MichaelMann: youtu.be/BBOmd2XhMLY
Efforts to address these crises are often hampered by a common threat: politically and ideologically motivated opposition to science.
Watch Science Under Siege with #MichaelMann: youtu.be/BBOmd2XhMLY
250 issues strong. For nearly 50 years, we've exposed pseudoscience and defended reason. To mark the milestone, we teamed up with #BillNye for a special issue on climate denial.
🧠 Support #SI: skepticalinquirer.org/support/?ms=...
📖 Read the issue: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/01/?ms=...
🧠 Support #SI: skepticalinquirer.org/support/?ms=...
📖 Read the issue: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/01/?ms=...
April 11, 2025 at 11:27 PM
250 issues strong. For nearly 50 years, we've exposed pseudoscience and defended reason. To mark the milestone, we teamed up with #BillNye for a special issue on climate denial.
🧠 Support #SI: skepticalinquirer.org/support/?ms=...
📖 Read the issue: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/01/?ms=...
🧠 Support #SI: skepticalinquirer.org/support/?ms=...
📖 Read the issue: skepticalinquirer.org/2025/01/?ms=...
We’ve been debunking bad science since before the internet was a thing.
UFOs? Ghosts? Miracle cures? We’ve heard it all. Now we’re here to ruin the fun in a whole new corner of the internet.
Got evidence? Bring it. Otherwise, we’ll stick with reality.
👀 More about us: skepticalinquirer.org/about/
UFOs? Ghosts? Miracle cures? We’ve heard it all. Now we’re here to ruin the fun in a whole new corner of the internet.
Got evidence? Bring it. Otherwise, we’ll stick with reality.
👀 More about us: skepticalinquirer.org/about/
About the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry | Skeptical Inquirer
skepticalinquirer.org
February 14, 2025 at 4:24 PM
We’ve been debunking bad science since before the internet was a thing.
UFOs? Ghosts? Miracle cures? We’ve heard it all. Now we’re here to ruin the fun in a whole new corner of the internet.
Got evidence? Bring it. Otherwise, we’ll stick with reality.
👀 More about us: skepticalinquirer.org/about/
UFOs? Ghosts? Miracle cures? We’ve heard it all. Now we’re here to ruin the fun in a whole new corner of the internet.
Got evidence? Bring it. Otherwise, we’ll stick with reality.
👀 More about us: skepticalinquirer.org/about/