YouTube bans James Randi

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Mar 312009
 

Pharyngula reports at http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/03/youtube_has_banned_the_james_r.php that YouTube has suspended the account of the James Randi Educational Foundation (JERF). I can confirm that the YouTube JREF videos embedded in my blog no longer work and instead display the message "This video has been removed due to terms of use violation.".

The problem with YouTube is that they will suspend accounts at the merest hint of a complaint…justified or not. And there isn’t anything in JREF videos that should be banned. Some people my opt to feel "offended" but that’s just too bad. JREF is one of those candles in the dark, a shining beacon in a world where superstition, uncritical thinking and charlatans are allowed to flourish. We need the JREF and all its resources to fight all this nonsense. Of course I could join the chorus and shout "YouTube sucks!"…but that would be too obvious ;)

Follow this link…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7Cn_gjevik&feature=channel_page

…and take action!

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2009

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Quacks Starter Pack!

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Mar 292009
 

The Quackometer has a humorous article on how to create your own new alternative medicine or treatment.

http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/03/top-ten-tips-for-creating-your-own-new.html

Nice one!

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2009

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FIA Formula 1 Grand Prix 2009 on the BBC

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Mar 292009
 

Well, now that the Formula 1 Grand Prix has started, it was wonderful to see the UK TV coverage return to the BBC with Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” and accompanied with some great computer graphics. I’m sorry ITV, but the BBC win this feature hands down!

 

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2009

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Is that taxpayer’s money being wasted (again)?

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Mar 282009
 

We all know that the mechanisms that psychics use are based on lying to people, fooling people, to fraudulently represent what they are doing. So I am at a loss to explain why the government knowingly awarded cash to “self styled” mediums Paul Rees and Deborah Rees. If anything, in my opinion, those who claim they are “real” psychics or mediums should be treated as criminals.

Skeptico http://skeptico.blogs.com/skeptico/2009/03/i-claim-my-government-cash.html has a report from The Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/5054558/Psychics-given-4500-government-funding-to-teach-people-to-communicate-with-the-dead.html with further details.

On a related note, watch the disgraceful behaviour from Silvia Browne and Montel Williams…


Funny Psychic Fraud Exposed Comedy Is Hilarious – The best bloopers are a click away

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"defamation of religion"

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Mar 262009
 

Good. James Randi’s article http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/487-a-u-n-victory-for-reason.html states that the silly proposal brought to the United Nations to "…forbid critical, insulting or defamatory statements about religion…" has been rejected. Excellent news.

I will criticise religion. I will make fun of it. Because clear and critical thinking demands it. Religions have, for far too long, abused their powers and used their influences and dogma to persecute people, and lead others into a world where "the word" is absolute and people are not allowed to think for themselves. So I absolutely will be critical of religion where warranted.

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2009

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Bad Astronomy!

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Mar 242009
 

Phil Plait of the legendary Bad Astronomy website has a nefarious plan!

He has some great blog articles and other resources that educate on all things astronomy, pareidolia and the fight against misinformation and nonsense. Check it out.

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2009

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Health Professions Council nonsense

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Mar 242009
 

More hot stuff from DC’s Improbable Science  http://dcscience.net/?p=1284

DC makes some very pertinent points regarding the decline of rigour within the Health Professionals Council (HPC), and the growth of nonsense. Nonsense is as nonsense does.

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2009

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Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council – Ofquack!

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Mar 232009
 

QuackeryThe Quackometer has an interesting article about the financial state of the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) humorously known as Ofquack:

http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/03/will-government-bail-out-ofquack.html

It shouldn’t have surprised me but, in hindsight it now seems obvious, Ofquack is very much dependent upon fees from particular practitioners of pseudoscience…the dreaded witch-doctors known as homeopaths.

Ofquack is a meaningless entity, regulating meaningless practices. Well, that’s not actually true. Some of these practices are dangerous, and I somehow doubt that this council can regulate these practices…rather the council is all up for actively promoting such nonsense.

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Royal firm’s adverts ‘misleading’

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Mar 212009
 

Some progress, of sorts http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7956378.stm

The MHRA has upheld the complaint about the wording used to advertise the medical efficacy of Prince Charles’s Dutchy Originals "Duchy Herbals Echina-Relief Tincture" and "Duchy Herbals Hyperi-Lift Tincture".

Now, I’m no fan of the MHRA as they are not fully transparent and have washed their hands in dealing with certain products. But at least the MHRA announcement, and the BBC’s reporting of it, will reach a wider audience and act as a warning to those that may otherwise have fallen victim for the disingenuous antics of Prince Charles’s company and other promoters of quackery and pseudoscience.

It’s a pity that the BBC didn’t mention the good work done by The Quackometer, DC’s Improbable Science, and other websites.

Further background information is here:

  1. http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/03/duchy-originals-pork-pies.html
  2. http://dcscience.net/?p=920
  3. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7934568.stm
  4. http://www.metalvortex.com/blog/2009/03/11/277.html

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Pharyngula: Trolling for Jesus

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Mar 202009
 

Thanks, Pharyngula. http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/03/trolling_for_jesus.php

Basically, Pastor Chris Fox of Kendalls Baptist Church in New London, NC pretends to be an atheist with some pretty warped views on morality. He’s trying to give the impression that atheists have no morals. Well, his deception was discovered.

I think that Pastor Chris Fox is the one with questionable morals.

More at http://unreasonablefaith.com/2009/03/20/pastor-gets-caught-lying-for-jesus/

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2009

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