The 44th Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle: Above us only sky

Yes, it's that time again! This time, the Skeptics' Circle comes to us by way of Sweden. In fact, it comes to us by way of a Swedish archeologist named Martin Rundkvist, and he's rounded up a fine collection of skeptical blogging that should serve as your antidote to the woo that so permeates the blogosphere, the Internet, and, yes, our society. So join Martin for the 44th Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle. It's appeared a few hours earlier than usual, but, then, Sweden is 6 hours ahead of my particular time zone.

Next up is The Inoculated Mind, and, given his taste in podcasts, I'm expecting a great things. (Hmmm. come to think of it, maybe Karl could do the first ever Skeptics' Circle podcast.)

And, as always, if you're interested in hosting a future meeting of the Skeptics' Circle, drop me a line. The schedule and archives can be found here, and additional guidelines for hosting here.

The 43rd Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle: Sad puppy edition

I never knew that puppies liked logic and critical thinking. I always thought that they liked running, playing, eating, sleeping, and being petted. But, according to Janet Stemwedel, there is at least one puppy who is a budding skeptic, and bad reasoning and gullibility make him sad. She explains in the introduction to the 43rd Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle:

Welcome to the meeting of the 43rd Skeptics' Circle! Good logic and critical thinking never hurt anyone, but bad logic, gullibility, and uncritical acceptance of questionable claims causes distress to small, furry animals. I'm not kidding! As proof, please consider the above picture (provided to me by Fern).

Can you bear to live in a world where this cute puppy is sad? Wouldn't you rather make the puppy happy? Me, too.

So go over to to Adventures in Ethics and Science to check out the 43rd Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle and make the puppy happy by enjoying the large number of posts applying logic, skepticism, and critical thinking to dubious claims, whether they be from medicine, evolution, the paranormal, or whatever.

Next up is Swedish skeptical blogger Martin Rundkvist of Salto Sobrius, who will take the reins to host the 44th Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle on Thursday, September 28. So start thinking of more pseudoscience and paranormal claims that need the light of reason shined upon them and get your entries to Martin.

And, of course, if you think you have what it takes to keep the puppy happy by hosting the Skeptics' Circle, drop me a line at oracknows@gmail.com.