Fads & Fallacies: a review of the seminal work on modern scepticism

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Fads and Fallacies

First published in 1952 as “In the Name of Science”, “Fads and Fallacies” is often cited as the first book written for the scientific or rational sceptical movement. True, as Gardener states in his preface to the first edition, there were prototypical works, but nothing really comprehensively looked at the culture, motivations and nature of pseudoscience, charlatanism and quackery as this book. Most of the major American sceptics see Gardner as the unofficial founder of their movement and he is regularly credited as a huge influence by Michael Shermer and James Randi, who was a good friend of Gardner up until his death in May 2010.

Modern Witchfinders: Another Reflection

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Not long after I wrote a piece reflecting on the anniversary of the Salem Witch Trials, I saw an episode of Channel 4’s “Dispatches” entitled “Britain’s Witch Children”. This was an investigation into the persecution of children and others by extremist pastors who labelled them as witches. This often resulted in brutal beatings and even murders, sometimes perpetrated by close family members and even parents.
The programme prompted me to consider how much we kid ourselves that the civilized and developed world no longer has to worry about harmful superstitious beliefs and fears. 

Remembering the Salem Executions on 19th July

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318 years today five women were hung as witches as the infamous Salem Witch Trials. The official memorial page for the victims of this glaring example of religious extremism and mass hysteria in the western world, lists those who were hung as Sarah Wildes, Elizabeth Howe, Susannah Martin, Sarah Good and Rebecca Nurse. Their gravestones are preserved and the page even reproduces their please of innocence against this capital crime.

Another night, another pay cheque

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I am currently in the process of trying to combine a review of Ian Mortimer's extensively researched and detailed reappraisal of Henry V, "1415: Henry V's Year of Glory" with the warrior king's entry in my icon series. It's taking some time what with all my other commitments. Anyway, today's entry is not the sort of subject matter I normally put up on this blog, but it does have bearing on my interest in history...

"Night at the Museum 2" - A Review

Writing a review: my thoughts

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 In response to a fellow writer and friend's concerns regarding writing a review (a task he is more than capable of doing) I decided to re-publish the below review for the "Dooyoo" site back in February. I hope this is useful.

In gratitude for the very kind acknowledgement made by Dooyoo this week by making me a celebrated member of the week, I thought I would give back a bit to the community. Here is a little of my background.

Replacing the Village Elder: Some Notes on the Counselling Age

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In 2007 I watched a very dear relative of mine die before my eyes. We were very close and I had known him all my life. It wasn't a sudden death, but his mind had been pretty sharp up until his final hours, which made his passing anything but a relief for those around him. He loved life and lived it to the full, and was positive right up until the very end. The whole experience was horrid for all those around him. An hour after his passing we all sat in the hospital reception, giving support to his wife as the nurses on the ward went through the basic formalities. The wife was asked whether she would like some bereavement counselling. Her response was a defiant,

Greatest Animated Fight Scenes

I’ll come straight out with it as much as I have a strong appreciation for well-plotted, well-acted, well-directed and well-produced dramas I have always enjoyed a good fight scene. What led me to like them were some of my earliest memories of TV, and these were watching cartoons like the animated series of “Godzilla”. The “Godzilla” TV series would often have at least one punch-up between the titular character of the show and some mythical or mutated beast. It wasn’t long after I became