jamie hale

Brain Enhancement In this episode Editor in Chief Mariette DiChristina discusses the contents of the October issue of Scientific American, including articles on brain enhancement, lost cities of the Amazon and a century-old plan to make subway rides more entertaining http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=brain-enhancement-october-issue-of-09-10-14 thanks, Jamie Hale

This is where it is important to consider the siuation. Under some cirumstances voicing your skepticism may not be the best thing to do. Many people consider any questioning a personal insult. Dogmatism is often the norm. thanks, Jamie Hale

Sorry for my unclear wording and thread title. The two key points I was suggesting were: 1- Holding an advanced degree does not necessarily mean good scientist (e.g. Shermer video) 2- the bullet points from UofL Sciboard were characteristics of a good scientist, yet not a complete list as pointed out by Mokele. Thanks for the feedback Jamie Hale

Friday, October 16 What Is Evolution and Why Does It Matter? by James Krupa, Department of Biology, University of Kentucky (Center Theater, University of Kentucky Student Center) Monday, October 19 Evolution in America: A Short History of the First 150 Years by Barry Werth, author of Banquet at Delmonico’s: Great Minds, the Gilded Age, & the Triumph of Evolution in America (Center Theater, University of Kentucky Student Center) Tuesday, October 20 Darwin in Wonderland: Evolution and the Science of Story by Jonathan Gottschall, Department of English, Washington and Jefferson College & author of The Rape of Troy: Evolution, Violence, and the World of Homer (Center Theater, University of Kentucky Student Center) Wednesday, October 21 Is It Really Only a Theory?: Evolution and the Question of Design by Kenneth R. Miller, Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University and author of Finding Darwin’s God: A Scientist’s Search for Common Ground between God and Evolution (Center Theater, University of Kentucky Student Center) Thursday, October 22 Darwin’s Two Times by Adam Gopnik, author of Angels and Ages: A Short Book about Darwin, Lincoln, and Modern Life (Worsham Theater, University of Kentucky Student Center) All talks begin at 6:00 p.m. Events are free & open to the public. -------- Transylvania University Kenan lecture http://www.transy.edu... LEXINGTON, Ky.—“Remarkable Creatures: Epic Adventures in the Search for the Origins of Species” will be Sean B. Carroll’s topic when he presents Transylvania University’s Kenan Lecture on Wednesday, October 28, at 7:30 p.m. in Haggin Auditorium in the Mitchell Fine Arts Center. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Practical tips for skilled skeptics Realize that the need to believe, and serve others, are basic human needs In general our expectations pretty much determine what we see and don’t see (magicians take full advantage of this expectation) Humans lie and they BS (almost always with a vested interest) Under specific conditions hallucinations may occur in healthy people For many people that don’t understand specific phenomena they would rather believe something than say they don’t know Apply skepticism in a very cautious manner to particular subjects e.g. religion, abortion, death penalty etc. Realize you can’t be skeptical 100% of the time as there are not enough hours in the day The skilled skeptic must learn when to keep their questions to themselves if not you will have many enemies (be a Practical Skeptic) The majority of society does not understand science nor are they interested (they want to know what to think not how to think) Skilled skeptics understand the rules of logic, the principles of experimentation, experimental design and what constitutes scientific evidence Human beings are fallible and have a need sometimes have a need to be right Human beings have a strong need for certainty, security and stability Human beings have strong social needs (although not all human beings) Human beings have a strong need for simplicity, easily understandable answers to complex questions Human beings like to feel important Skilled skeptics do not make judgments based on insufficient evidence Skilled skeptics realizes there are varying degrees of certainty but no absolute certainty Skilled skeptics listen to other people’s ideas with an open mind Skill skeptics understand all knowledge is tentative Skilled skeptics are aware of their own personal bias, and aware when their skepticism turns to cynicism Skilled skeptics habitually question their own beliefs and methods that were used to come to those beliefs Skilled skeptics are educated on research methodology (this means at an advanced level) Skilled skeptics avoid Hero Worship (e.g. James Randi says or Michael Shermer says, also referred to as Appeal to Authority Fallacy) Skilled skeptics realize science does not explain everything nor does it claim to Skilled skeptics do not fall prey to the Translation Fallacy (this fallacy occurs when the subject being discussed cannot be defined. If you can define the word or topic forget about stating your opinion.) Any Additional suggestions are appreciated. Good read from Harriet Hall on skepticism http://www.skepticstoolbox.org/hall/ Jamie Hale coach hale

Dr Michael Shermer interviews Dr Georgia Purdom at the Creation Museum in Kentucky. This video provides an example of someone holding a college science degree who is not a real scientist; scientific degree doesn’t necessarily equate to scientist. A real scientist: From Univ of Louisville Sciboard: Q. What is a Scientist Ans. Although a person with an advanced degree might claim to be a scientist, the true test of the scientist is how one thinks. A good scientist: Excepts nothing in science absolutely. Is willing to change his opinions based on new data. Does not rely on Authority. Thinks critically. Knows that extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. Has an open mind. Relies on logic and reason. Knows how to form hypotheses and test them. Respects the scientific method. Examines all the data, not just the data that support his or her view. Builds on the work of others, giving them appropriate credit. Documents his or her experiments so they can be duplicated by others. Knows that if a claim is made, the claimant must provide the proof. (It is not up to others to disprove it.) Is intellectually honest. Thanks, Jamie Hale

I would agree with a few others in saying it depends of the area of pyschology you are addressing? In general, the field does emphasize pure speculation in some areas, but other areas are subject to rigorous scientific analysis and solid scientific findings. Thanks, Jamie Hale

Science is the best method we have for understanding how things work in the observable universe. Science if fallible but science knows it's fallible. Science keeps the good and throws away the bad; all knowledge is tentative. Science does not explain everything but to reiterate it is the best explaination of nature we have. Thanks, Jamie Hale

Another good on Ardipithecus from Steven Novella http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/ Jamie Hale

I apologize Jamie Hale

National Geographic Ardipithecus http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/10/091001-oldest-human-skeleton-ardi-missing-link-chimps-ardipithecus-ramidus.html Ardipithecus- Carl Zimmer http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2009/10/01/ardipithecus-we-meet-at-last/ John Hawk’s webblog- long article on Ardi http://johnhawks.net/weblog/fossils/ardipithecus/ardipithecus-faq-2009.html thanks, Jamie Hale jhale