The NZ Skeptics plan to scrutinise the concept of balance in science journalism at their upcoming conference, arguing that misinformed or mistaken opinions do not provide a healthy or informative balance in many areas of apparent controversy.
Continue readingRebecca Watson: Ways to Insult Women with “Science”
Noted US SGU blogger and Skepchicks founder Rebecca Watson asks whether cavemen really preferred blondes — how many of those pop-sci headlines can you believe?
Continue readingConsumer Wins Bent Spoon Again
Consumer magazine has won its second Bent Spoon Award from the NZ Skeptics for continuing to promote homeopathic products as a viable alternative to evidence-based medical treatments.
Continue readingSensing Murder Strikes Out Again
The discovery of the body of missing prostitute Jayne Furlong on the beach at Port Waikato directly contradicts the claims by the Sensing Murder exploitainment show that self-proclaimed psychics Deb Webber and Kelvin Cruickhank were able to “tune …
Continue readingEveryone Take a Bow — Group Bent Spoon Award for media
The NZ Skeptics have awarded their annual prize for journalistic gullibility to all those media outlets and personalities who took Ken Ring’s earthquake prediction claims at face value, thereby misinforming the public and contributing to 50,000 people …
Continue readingNZ Skeptics Call for Building on Solid Science
Building on solid science is the theme for this year’s annual NZ Skeptics conference, an appropriate-enough theme for a meeting being held in Christchurch (26-28 August). “When we’re unsure of things, looking for better understanding of what’s happening …
Continue readingNZ Skeptics Conference 2011
All welcome for two days of learning and laughter covering a diverse range of topics from environmental issues to earthquake predictions, psychic performances to podcasting on critical thinking.
Continue readingMoon Man Non-Event Lunch Planned
Members of the New Zealand Skeptics, geologists, earthquake engineers, MP Nick Smith and NewstalkZB morning host Sean Plunket are to gather for a lunch on top of the Port Hills in Christchurch on March 20th, the time when so-called “Moon Man” …
Continue readingAnother Candle Goes Out….
Denis was a founder member of New Zealand Skeptics, back in 1984 when it was known as the NZ Committee for Scientific Investigation of the Paranormal. For many years he was the face of organised scepticism in New Zealand, fronting up to the media …
Continue readingHomeopaths Exploit Quake Fears to Sell Magic Water
The NZ Council of Homeopaths is touting for business following Christchurch´s earthquake, claiming that their products will help with sleeplessness, anxiety and even disease despite having admitted earlier this year that their products contain no material …
Continue readingAnimal Welfare Issues Whacked with Bent Spoon
Concerns over animal welfare issues on farms have seen Rural Women New Zealand and Fonterra rapped with the Bent Spoon, an annual recognition of gullibility and a lack of critical thinking awarded by the New Zealand Skeptics.
Continue readingSkeptics to walk on fire at annual conference
The NZ Skeptics will demonstrate the power of physics over the mind, with a firewalk planned as part of their annual conference in Auckland this August.
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