Have a look at the screenshot of this South Korean website and tell me which British book publisher whose overseas operation you think it represents: Let me give you a hint. It’s not Oxford University Press. Confused? Well, let’s park… Read More ›
Religion
Scientific advice for Christmas (Original Soundtrack), Part 1
It’s Christmas (kind of). This is a science blog (kind of). And so, therefore, I am obliged to offer you… …A SCIENCE-OF-CHRISTMAS SPECIAL! Woo-hoo! As with all Christmas-related activities, blogging about the Science of Christmas is something of a fixed… Read More ›
The Science of Misunderstanding
Just over a week ago, I gave a public lecture for Cork Skeptics at the magnificent Blackrock Castle Observatory. Subject to technological issues (i.e., assuming it worked), a video of the talk will be available online soon. In the meantime you… Read More ›
Seven billion Earthlings: So what’s the problem?
Typically, I get uncomfortable when I’m in the presence of more than, say, five other people. Therefore, you might expect me to be particularly perturbed by reports that the world’s population reached seven billion people earlier today, 31 October 2011. Such… Read More ›
“Marriage saves lives!” (Well, it has a nice ring to it…)
So, apparently, being married is good for you. Married, I tells ya, as in party to a matrimonial contractual arrangement with a legally eligible spouse. Why might this be? Well, one advantage to being married is that your tax and inheritance… Read More ›
Extinction of religion predicted by mathematics? Don’t count on it
Recently, a mathematical model predicting the extinction of organized religion received global media attention after its presentation at a research meeting of the American Physical Society. According to the BBC news website, the researchers had shown that religion is “set… Read More ›
“Atheists die first”: CNN’s “expert” fights back
This is psychologist, Dr Wendy Walsh, discussing the merits of religion on CNN. Rather melodramatically, she is focusing on the purported advantage of being religious during catastrophic survival situations. According to Walsh, “Most studies on survivors show that the atheists… Read More ›
Do polling locations influence election outcomes?
In times of economic and political turmoil, people increasingly turn their attention to how their societies are governed. As a result, it seems as though matters relating to elections and electoral processes are permanently in the public spotlight. Globally, over 80… Read More ›
Emergency contraception: Pragmatics, politics, and (just) a little science
Recently, the Irish state’s national Medicines Board legalized the availability of emergency contraception on an over-the-counter basis in high-street pharmacies. The drug, NorLevo, an emergency contraception that can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse, is now available to… Read More ›
