Digital Bits Skeptic

By Tammy Buchli, Science & Reason in Hampton Roads
Article ID: 1238

 

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When my local skeptic’s organization (Science & Reason in Hampton Roads) announced a field trip to Edgar Cayce’s Association for Research and Enlightenment in Virginia Beach, I was eager to attend.  We planned a full afternoon at the A.R.E. First, an ESP demonstration, and then an educational film about Mr. Cayce, ending with a tour of the Association building.  I knew very little about Mr. Cayce before our field trip, and I opted not to do any preparatory research, deciding instead to let the A.R.E. itself serve as Mr. Cayce’s monument.

Continue reading ‘A field trip to Edgar Cayce’s Association for Research and Enlightenment’ »

By Peter Booth
Article ID: 1235

 

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Mentalism is a form of performance magic that simulates the paranormal, most commonly mind-reading, predicting the future and psychokinesis.  Magicians get involved in skepticism because much of the time the so-called real psychics are doing very standard magic tricks.  But what makes the difference between appearing to be a magician and appearing to be the real deal?  Here I present a few rules for any half-decent magicians who would like to throw away their morals, break all the mirrors in their houses so they don’t have to look at themselves anymore, and most importantly, start making some real money by making the jump to pseudo-miracle worker.  Being a cold reader, for example, has an excellent profit margin!  Think of it this way:  you can charge the same prices per ticket as David Copperfield, or a world-famous rock band, and you don’t even have all that heavy stuff to carry around!  It’s just you on a stage.  That’s profit!

Continue reading ‘Psychic stagecraft: how to change from magician to miracle worker’ »

Article ID: 1215 

 

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Skepticism is a philosophical commitment to doubt. However, to doubt without end is of no use.

Committed skeptics include Harry Houdini, Penn and Teller, Carl Sagan, Isaac Asimov, James Randi, Christopher Hitchens, and many other intellectual giants.

Continue reading ‘Punk skepticism: A perfect mix of skeptic and rebel’ »

By Andy Kaiser 
Article ID: 1212

 

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Continue reading ‘This is the dawning of the age of asparagus - fortune telling goes green’ »

By Andy Kaiser 
Article ID: 114

What’s the harm in New Age beliefs? What’s the harm in a non-questioning acceptance of religion? Is anyone really hurt if you give money to television psychics, or worship any particular brand of god? In fact, let’s look broader than the umbrella of religion, New Age and superstitious beliefs. Let’s examine credulity.

Continue reading ‘What’s the harm in believing? Reasons for skeptical thought and critical thinking’ »