http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress A blog devoted to freethought, atheism and skepticism. Thu, 09 Sep 2010 05:01:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 2007-2010 contact@americanfreethought.com (American Freethought) contact@americanfreethought.com (American Freethought) freethought 1440 http://www.americanfreethought.com/images/podcastlogo144x144.jpg http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress 144 144 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?feed=podcast Question. Think. Decide. A podcast focusing on information of interest to freethinkers, atheists, agnostics, skeptics, rationalists, Brights, etc. freethought, atheism, skepticism, religion, secularism, philosophy, atheist, skeptic American Freethought American Freethought contact@americanfreethought.com no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/05/in-which-i-get-stuck/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/05/in-which-i-get-stuck/#comments Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:51:19 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2221 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/09/05/in-which-i-get-stuck/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/12/the-essential-freethought-library/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/12/the-essential-freethought-library/#comments Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:41:26 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2133 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/07/12/the-essential-freethought-library/feed/ 4 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/06/05/podcast-90-massimo-pigliucci-nonsense-on-stilts/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/06/05/podcast-90-massimo-pigliucci-nonsense-on-stilts/#comments Sat, 05 Jun 2010 16:21:32 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2030 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/06/05/podcast-90-massimo-pigliucci-nonsense-on-stilts/feed/ 2 59:05 We interview Dr. Massimo Pigliucci, evolutionary biologist, philosopher, science crusader, and author of Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk.  This new book ... We interview Dr. Massimo Pigliucci, evolutionary biologist, philosopher, science crusader, and author of Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk.  This new book explores the frontier between science and pseudoscience, the difficulty of defining exactly what is science (what Karl Popper dubbed "the demarcation problem"), and the attacks against science from the forces of anti-intellectualism and even from inside academia.  Highly recommended. Visit Dr. P on the web at RationallySpeaking.org, or listen to his new podcast--co-hosted with NYC Skeptics' Julia Galeth--at RationallySpeakingPodcast.org. Listen to our previous interview with Dr. P (from way back in February 2008) in podcast #11. The Usual Announcements Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded June 2, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. books, evolution, podcast, science, skepticism American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/05/15/atlanta-skepticamp-3/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/05/15/atlanta-skepticamp-3/#comments Sat, 15 May 2010 13:03:45 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=2016 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/05/15/atlanta-skepticamp-3/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/25/prepare-for-boobquake/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/25/prepare-for-boobquake/#comments Sun, 25 Apr 2010 05:01:42 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1990 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/25/prepare-for-boobquake/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/23/atlanta-skepticamp-2/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/23/atlanta-skepticamp-2/#comments Fri, 23 Apr 2010 05:01:09 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1982 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/04/23/atlanta-skepticamp-2/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/02/08/podcast-80-simon-singh/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/02/08/podcast-80-simon-singh/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:01:31 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1867 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/02/08/podcast-80-simon-singh/feed/ 3 57:27 We interview science journalist Simon Singh, co-author (with Dr. Edzard Ernst) of Trick or Treatment: The Undeniable Facts about Alternative Medicine (which both John and ... We interview science journalist Simon Singh, co-author (with Dr. Edzard Ernst) of Trick or Treatment: The Undeniable Facts about Alternative Medicine (which both John and David highly recommend).  For more about Simon visit SimonSingh.net.  Please also visit LibelReform.org, a website devoted to changing the United Kingdom's disgraceful libel laws (Simon is currently in the midst of a court battle with the British Chiropractic Association over his reporting on chiropractic treatment of children in the UK's Guardian newspaper.) Trick or Treatment is available at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. Continuing this episodes alternative medicine theme, we take a look at aromatherapy.  Can smells trigger the body's healing ability, or do they offer only a temporary placebo? Also: See Creation with American Freethought!  We're arranging an outing for the afternoon of Saturday, February 20th, to see the new Charles Darwin bio-pic starring Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly.  We'll convene for Thai food immediately after the movie.  Details can be found here, or at this Facebook event page. Can you spell C-O-N-T-E-S-T? We have a minor trove of nifty things to give away, including a 2009 American Atheists convention program signed by Richard Dawkins, a handful of books by famous critical thinkers, and an American Freethought t-shirt and coffee mug.  To win, simply challenge John C. Snider to a game of "Words With Friends" (the iPhone version of the classic Scrabble).  You'll need an iPhone, of course; and you'll need to download Words With Friends (created by game developer Newtoy, Inc.).  John's user name is "johncsnider."  The person who beats him by the most points during the month of February wins the tchoch. The Usual Announcements Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Fans of science fiction can check out John's other project on the web, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded February 6, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. alternative medicine, books, medical research, news, podcast, science, skepticism American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/02/03/podcast-79-e-meters-for-haiti/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/02/03/podcast-79-e-meters-for-haiti/#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:01:05 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1853 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2010/02/03/podcast-79-e-meters-for-haiti/feed/ 1 43:51 Earthquake-devastated Haiti has become a magnet for kooky, misguided (but perhaps well-intentioned) religious groups.  Scientologist John Travolta (disguised, apparently, as L. Ron Hubbard--see photo at ... Earthquake-devastated Haiti has become a magnet for kooky, misguided (but perhaps well-intentioned) religious groups.  Scientologist John Travolta (disguised, apparently, as L. Ron Hubbard--see photo at right) has personally flown his private 707 to Haiti, delivering food, medical supplies, and "volunteer ministers" who claim the ability to heal through therapeutic touch.  Meanwhile, a Christian group called Faith Comes By Hearing has sent 600 solar-powered audiobook Bibles.  Finally, a group of Idaho Baptists were arrested trying to transport Haitian orphans (some of whom weren't actually orphans) across the border into the Dominican Republic. While America is spending billions to ensure a smooth transition of security responsibilities to the Iraqi military, the Iraqis are squandering millions on what are effectively divining rods that supposedly detect explosives, guns--even truffles!  The manufacturer of this quackery is UK-based ATSC, whose founder, one Jim McCormick, has been arrested by British authorities on suspicion of fraud, and his device has been banned for export. Scott Roeder, who murdered abortion doctor George Tiller in May of last year, has been given a life sentence by a Kansas jury.  Unfortunately, Roeder could be eligible for parole in 25 years. Also: We're Number One!  Atlanta has been named the "Gayest City in America" by Advocate.com.  Take heart, Yankees: Portland, Maine is #8. We (meaning John and Allison) will be going to the American Atheists convention, April 2-4 in Newark, NJ.  We'll be going up a couple of days early and staying a day after to enjoy some tourism in NYC, so any suggestions are welcome for cool stuff to do or cool people to see (email john@americanfreethought.com with your suggestions).  The convention's speakers include CFI founder Paul Kurtz, Freedom from Religion's Dan Barker, and biologist-turned-philosopher Massimo Pigliucci. And speaking of Massimo Pigliucci, check out the brand new Rationally Speaking Podcast!  Massimo has teamed up with fellow members of the New York City Skeptics to create this great addition to the skeptical podscape. Can you spell C-O-N-T-E-S-T? We have a minor trove of nifty things to give away, including a 2009 American Atheists convention program signed by Richard Dawkins, a handful of books by famous critical thinkers, and an American Freethought t-shirt and coffee mug.  To win, simply challenge John C. Snider to a game of "Words With Friends" (the iPhone version of the classic Scrabble).  You'll need an iPhone, of course; and you'll need to download Words With Friends (created by game developer Newtoy, Inc.).  John's user name is "johncsnider."  The person who beats him by the most points during the month of February wins the tchoch. The Usual Announcements Send us email at contact@americanfreethought.com.  For John Snider only use john@americanfreethoughtcom; for David Driscoll only use david@americanfreethought.com. Leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com. Join us on Yahoo Groups, Facebook, Atheist Nexus, or Think Atheist. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AmerFreethought. If you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Fans of science fiction can check out John's other project on the web, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded February 1, 2010.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. children, christianity, civil rights, gay rights, humor, news, podcast, religion, skepticism American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/08/phil-plait-steps-down-from-jref/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/08/phil-plait-steps-down-from-jref/#comments Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:03:02 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1773 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/12/08/phil-plait-steps-down-from-jref/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/10/heads-up-dc-skeptics-heavy-mental/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/10/heads-up-dc-skeptics-heavy-mental/#comments Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:54:09 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1538 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/10/10/heads-up-dc-skeptics-heavy-mental/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/28/podcast-66-freethought-in-mexico/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/28/podcast-66-freethought-in-mexico/#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:01:37 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1446 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/28/podcast-66-freethought-in-mexico/feed/ 2 43:47 We interview Danny Zepeda, a skeptical blogger living in Morelia, a city in central Mexico.  He talks about the state of freethought South of the ... We interview Danny Zepeda, a skeptical blogger living in Morelia, a city in central Mexico.  He talks about the state of freethought South of the Border, the prevalence of superstition and alt-medicine quackery in Mexican society, and the challenges of raising children to be critical thinkers.  Visit Danny's Spanish-language blog Un Papá Escéptico (A Skeptical Papa) at papaesceptico.wordpress.com.  If you can't read Spanish, try pasting the URL into the Babel Fish text translation tool: the results are sometimes a bit iffy but readable. Announcements - We encourage you to leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com.  We have a Yahoo Group, a Facebook page, an Atheist Nexus page, a Think Atheist page (NEW!), and a Twitter feed.  Also, if you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. Say "hi" to David if you're planning to attend the upcoming Atheist Alliance International 2009 Convention, October 2-4 in Los Angeles (Burbank, actually), CA. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Fans of science fiction can check out John's other project on the web, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded September 25, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, children, christianity, international freethought, podcast, religion, skepticism, superstitions American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/25/charlotte-pop-fest-happening-now/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/25/charlotte-pop-fest-happening-now/#comments Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:49:17 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1435 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/25/charlotte-pop-fest-happening-now/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/15/podcast-64-dragoncon-wrap-up/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/15/podcast-64-dragoncon-wrap-up/#comments Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:01:45 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1358 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/15/podcast-64-dragoncon-wrap-up/feed/ 4 63:19 We'll post the live episode we recorded on September 5th as soon as it's available; meanwhile, we look back at our experience at Dragon*Con in ... We'll post the live episode we recorded on September 5th as soon as it's available; meanwhile, we look back at our experience at Dragon*Con in general and the Skeptics Track in particular.  Kudos to: Derek & Swoopy of Skepticality for all their hard work in making the Skeptics Track and the Podcasting Track so successful. Mark Distler of Abrupt Media for providing sound and video service at the Con. All the other cohorts, minions, sycophants and volunteers who helped make it happen. Atlanta Skeptics for pulling off a fantastic Star Party at the Agnes Scott College Bradley Observatory. Also mentioned in our Dragon*Con discussion: The Joe Nickell Files - John Snider's series of interviews with the world-famous skeptical investigator, published at SciFiDimensions.com in 2000-2001. Surly Amy - An artist whose "Surly-Ramics" handmade ceramic jewelry has themes that will appeal to skeptics and science buffs. Center for Chemical Evolution -A research project which seeks "to understand and demonstrate the chemical origins of the first RNA-like polymers." NOVA: Mystery of the Megavolcano - David recommends this PBS documentary that shows how scientists, working independently and across multiple disciplines, can arrive at corroborating conclusions about the timing of geological events.  In this case, the fact that science has proven a megavolcanic eruption 75,000 years ago probably won't impress fundamentalists who still insist that the earth is only 6,000 years old. Richard Dawkins' The Greatest Show on Earth - MC Dawky-Dawk's latest book hits the shelves on September 22 and promises to be another bestseller.  Meanwhile, The Times Online has posted two excerpts! Scandal at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church - This story flew under the mainstream media's radar back in July, but its twists and turns would make the most shameless soap opera pale in comparison.  David Molina is suing Lakewood after discovering that two of the pastors who counseled him and his wife knew that she was having an affair with a third pastor, who also counseled the couple--and was himself the person having the affair with Mrs. Molina!  We couldn't make this stuff up if we tried. Feedback - We read several listener responses to episode #63 "Efficacy of Prayer." Announcements - We encourage you to leave feedback at AmericanFreethought.com.  We have a Yahoo Group, a Facebook page, an Atheist Nexus page, and a Twitter feed.  Also, if you pick us up via iTunes, please take a moment to leave feedback. David continues to produce new installments of the Secular Nation Podcast. Fans of science fiction can check out John's other project on the web, SciFiDimensions.com. commentary, news, podcast, skepticism American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/04/dragoncon/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/04/dragoncon/#comments Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:56:22 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1327 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/09/04/dragoncon/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/20/are-georgia-peaches-kosher/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/20/are-georgia-peaches-kosher/#comments Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:39:43 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1266 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/08/20/are-georgia-peaches-kosher/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/31/huffpo-spews-cam-poo/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/31/huffpo-spews-cam-poo/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:05:17 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1118 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/31/huffpo-spews-cam-poo/feed/ 4 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/22/dragoncon-skeptrack-schedule-available/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/22/dragoncon-skeptrack-schedule-available/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:04:09 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1064 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/22/dragoncon-skeptrack-schedule-available/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/19/podcast-60-40th-anniv-of-apollo-11-with-seth-shostak/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/19/podcast-60-40th-anniv-of-apollo-11-with-seth-shostak/#comments Sun, 19 Jul 2009 05:01:47 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=1028 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/07/19/podcast-60-40th-anniv-of-apollo-11-with-seth-shostak/feed/ 3 56:14 We celebrate the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11!  On July 20, 1969 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first human beings to set ... We celebrate the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11!  On July 20, 1969 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first human beings to set foot on another world.  Our special guest this time is Seth Shostak, senior astronomer with the SETI Institute, co-host of the Are We Alone? radio show, and author of the book Confessions of an Alien Hunter (available at Amazon.com and/or Amazon.co.uk). ANNOUNCEMENTS Participation and Feedback: Email contact@americanfreethought.com - attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. American Freethought on Twitter.  We're new on Twitter!  Get auto-tweets every time we post something to the website, plus the occasional random news item. American Freethought on Atheist Nexus - What's Atheist Nexus?  Well, it's like Facebook for nonbelievers.  Join up! American Freethought on Facebook American Freethought Yahoo Group - Chat with fellow freethinkers. iTunes - If you listen to us via iTunes, take a moment and leave feedback. Shop or Donate: CafePress - Buy cool American Freethought swag, including t-shirts and mugs. Amazon.com - Click-through and buy whatever you want. PayPal - Drop some change in our virtual tip-jar.  You'll help offset the cost of maintaining the website and producing the podcast. Visit us online at AmericanFreethought.com.  We post new content (nearly) every day! David will podcast new episodes of Secular Nation soon.  AtheistAlliance.org/podcast. Interested in science fiction?  Then check out John’s other online project, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded July 16, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. astronomy & space, history, interviews, paranormal, podcast, science, skepticism, urban legends American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/26/podcast-57-bruce-m-hood/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/26/podcast-57-bruce-m-hood/#comments Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:01:36 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=931 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/26/podcast-57-bruce-m-hood/feed/ 0 67:08 We interview Bruce M. Hood, author of SuperSense, which theorizes a genetic predisposition toward religious belief, superstition, and other irrational behaviors (and that includes you, ... We interview Bruce M. Hood, author of SuperSense, which theorizes a genetic predisposition toward religious belief, superstition, and other irrational behaviors (and that includes you, too, atheists!). Read John's review of SuperSense, or buy your very own copy (highly recommended) at Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk. Visit Bruce M. Hood's Official Website. ANNOUNCEMENTS Participation and Feedback: Email contact@americanfreethought.com - attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. American Freethought on Twitter.  We're new on Twitter!  Get auto-tweets every time we post something to the website, plus the occasional random news item. American Freethought on Atheist Nexus - What's Atheist Nexus?  Well, it's like Facebook for nonbelievers.  Join up! American Freethought on Facebook American Freethought Yahoo Group - Chat with fellow freethinkers. iTunes - If you listen to us via iTunes, take a moment and leave feedback. Shop or Donate: CafePress - Buy cool American Freethought swag, including t-shirts and mugs. Amazon.com - Click-through and buy whatever you want. PayPal - Drop some change in our virtual tip-jar.  You'll help offset the cost of maintaining the website and producing the podcast. Visit us online at AmericanFreethought.com.  We post new content (nearly) every day! David is podcasting new episodes of Secular Nation.  AtheistAlliance.org/podcast. Interested in science fiction?  Then check out John’s other online project, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded June 24, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. books, evolution, interviews, medical research, paranormal, podcast, religion, science, skepticism, superstitions American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/25/charlotte-rocks-dawkins/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/25/charlotte-rocks-dawkins/#comments Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:19:11 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=944 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/25/charlotte-rocks-dawkins/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/21/3-more-years-of-this-and-youll-wish-it-was-the-end-of-the-world/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/21/3-more-years-of-this-and-youll-wish-it-was-the-end-of-the-world/#comments Sun, 21 Jun 2009 13:32:26 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=921 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/21/3-more-years-of-this-and-youll-wish-it-was-the-end-of-the-world/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/19/podcast-56-tim-farley-whatstheharmnet/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/19/podcast-56-tim-farley-whatstheharmnet/#comments Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:01:38 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=903 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/19/podcast-56-tim-farley-whatstheharmnet/feed/ 1 66:38 We interview Tim Farley, creator of the website WhatstheHarm.net (an invaluable database of death and destruction caused by alternative medicine, superstition, lack of critical thinking, ... We interview Tim Farley, creator of the website WhatstheHarm.net (an invaluable database of death and destruction caused by alternative medicine, superstition, lack of critical thinking, etc.).  Tim has also given talks and organized seminars to teach skeptics how to be better communicators--check out Skeptical Software Tools. Look for Tim at Dragon*Con in September, but first! he'll be seminarifying at The Amazing Meeting, July 9-12 in Las Vegas (yes...Nevada). Father's Day is this Sunday (June 21st)!  That means a very special patriarchal installment of Holey Scripture.  Hide the children. More great listener feedback!  Also mentioned on the 'cast are two books and on DVD that shed light on the thorny ethical considerations surrounding abortion and the theological problem of suffering: God's Problem by Bart Ehrman Letting Go of God by Julia Sweeney Rethinking Life and Death by Peter Singer ANNOUNCEMENTS Participation and Feedback: Email contact@americanfreethought.com - attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. American Freethought on Twitter.  We're new on Twitter!  Get auto-tweets every time we post something to the website, plus the occasional random news item. American Freethought on Atheist Nexus - What's Atheist Nexus?  Well, it's like Facebook for nonbelievers.  Join up! American Freethought on Facebook American Freethought Yahoo Group - Chat with fellow freethinkers. iTunes - If you listen to us via iTunes, take a moment and leave feedback. Shop or Donate: CafePress - Buy cool American Freethought swag, including t-shirts and mugs. Amazon.com - Click-through and buy whatever you want. PayPal - Drop some change in our virtual tip-jar.  You'll help offset the cost of maintaining the website and producing the podcast. Visit us online at AmericanFreethought.com.  We post new content (nearly) every day! David is podcasting new episodes of Secular Nation.  AtheistAlliance.org/podcast. Interested in science fiction?  Then check out John’s other online project, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Bonus material after the sign-off:  The duo Garfunkel and Oates sing "Sex with Ducks."  Watch the "Sex with Ducks" video on YouTube. Recorded June 17, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. interviews, podcast, skepticism, urban legends American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/18/whats-up-with-zicam/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/18/whats-up-with-zicam/#comments Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:15:26 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=906 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/18/whats-up-with-zicam/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/06/newsweek-jumps-on-oprah/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/06/newsweek-jumps-on-oprah/#comments Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:01:09 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=838 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/06/06/newsweek-jumps-on-oprah/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/28/supersense/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/28/supersense/#comments Thu, 28 May 2009 22:07:51 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=757 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/05/28/supersense/feed/ 5 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/25/way-to-go-malawi/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/25/way-to-go-malawi/#comments Sat, 25 Apr 2009 05:02:15 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=662 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/25/way-to-go-malawi/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/16/podcast-50-american-atheists-convention/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/16/podcast-50-american-atheists-convention/#comments Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:01:13 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=622 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/16/podcast-50-american-atheists-convention/feed/ 3 61:35 We discuss our experience at the recent America Atheists National Convention, which was held at the beautiful Emory Conference Center Hotel in Decatur, Georgia.  How ... We discuss our experience at the recent America Atheists National Convention, which was held at the beautiful Emory Conference Center Hotel in Decatur, Georgia.  How did the impressive slate of presenters (including activist and retired evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins) do?  What's "the vibe" at AA nowadays?  And what is it with atheists and microphones? ANNOUNCEMENTS Participation and Feedback: Email contact@americanfreethought.com - attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. American Freethought on Twitter.  We're new on Twitter!  Get auto-tweets everytime we post something to the website, plus the occasional random news item. American Freethought on Atheist Nexus - What's Atheist Nexus?  Well, it's like Facebook for nonbelievers.  Join up! American Freethought on Facebook American Freethought Yahoo Group - Chat with fellow freethinkers. iTunes - If you listen to us via iTunes, take a moment and leave feedback. Shop or Donate: CafePress - Buy cool American Freethought swag, including t-shirts and mugs. Amazon.com - Click-through and buy whatever you want. PayPal - Drop some change in our virtual tip-jar.  You'll help offset the cost of maintaining the website and producing the podcast. Visit us online at AmericanFreethought.com.  We post new content every day! David is podcasting new episodes of Secular Nation.  AtheistAlliance.org/podcast. Interested in science fiction?  Then check out John’s other online project, SciFiDimensions.com. Theme music by Body Found. Recorded April 14, 2009.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. atheism, christianity, commentary, interviews, news, podcast, skepticism American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/10/camel-fishing-in-idaho/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/10/camel-fishing-in-idaho/#comments Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:01:43 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=565 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/10/camel-fishing-in-idaho/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/09/check-it-out/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/09/check-it-out/#comments Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:07:26 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=575 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/09/check-it-out/feed/ 2 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/01/atlanta-student-coalition-for-inquiry-launches-at-ksu/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/01/atlanta-student-coalition-for-inquiry-launches-at-ksu/#comments Wed, 01 Apr 2009 05:01:05 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=464 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/04/01/atlanta-student-coalition-for-inquiry-launches-at-ksu/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/19/were-on-skepticality/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/19/were-on-skepticality/#comments Thu, 19 Mar 2009 05:01:24 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=422 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/19/were-on-skepticality/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/07/un-papa-esceptico/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/07/un-papa-esceptico/#comments Sat, 07 Mar 2009 05:01:26 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=349 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/03/07/un-papa-esceptico/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/25/its-official-were-goin-to-dragoncon/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/25/its-official-were-goin-to-dragoncon/#comments Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:35:35 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=286 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/25/its-official-were-goin-to-dragoncon/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/23/phil-the-pundit-plait-on-bloggingheadstv/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/23/phil-the-pundit-plait-on-bloggingheadstv/#comments Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:01:20 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=272 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/23/phil-the-pundit-plait-on-bloggingheadstv/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/22/religulous-on-dvd/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/22/religulous-on-dvd/#comments Sun, 22 Feb 2009 05:01:36 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=265 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/22/religulous-on-dvd/feed/ 3 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/11/photos-from-atlanta-skepticamp/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/11/photos-from-atlanta-skepticamp/#comments Wed, 11 Feb 2009 23:46:38 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=224 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/11/photos-from-atlanta-skepticamp/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/07/atlanta-skepticamp-a-spectacular-success/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/07/atlanta-skepticamp-a-spectacular-success/#comments Sun, 08 Feb 2009 01:57:34 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=222 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/07/atlanta-skepticamp-a-spectacular-success/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/06/join-us-tonight-at-atlanta-skepticamp/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/06/join-us-tonight-at-atlanta-skepticamp/#comments Fri, 06 Feb 2009 05:01:00 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=221 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/02/06/join-us-tonight-at-atlanta-skepticamp/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/30/atlanta-skepticamp/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/30/atlanta-skepticamp/#comments Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:01:53 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=213 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/30/atlanta-skepticamp/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/09/the-death-of-inadequate-myths/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/09/the-death-of-inadequate-myths/#comments Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:01:14 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=194 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2009/01/09/the-death-of-inadequate-myths/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/09/itunes-picks-skeptics-guide-5x5-for-top-list/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/09/itunes-picks-skeptics-guide-5x5-for-top-list/#comments Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:39:19 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=169 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/12/09/itunes-picks-skeptics-guide-5x5-for-top-list/feed/ 1 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/09/skeptoid-on-bloggingheadstv/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/09/skeptoid-on-bloggingheadstv/#comments Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:04:50 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=139 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/10/09/skeptoid-on-bloggingheadstv/feed/ 0 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/08/podcast-26-sarah-palin/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/08/podcast-26-sarah-palin/#comments Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:12:06 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=107 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/08/podcast-26-sarah-palin/feed/ 1 69:30 First up, what does the selection of Sarah Palin for the Republican presidential ticket mean for the cause of secular government in America? (Spoiler Alert: ... First up, what does the selection of Sarah Palin for the Republican presidential ticket mean for the cause of secular government in America? (Spoiler Alert: It won't be good.) Next, we offer a wrap-up of the extremely successful Skeptics Track at this year's Dragon*Con.  If you were in attendance, send an email to dragoncon@dragoncon.org and let them know what a fantastic job Track Director Derek Colanduno did. Plus: A special, super-secret guest panelist joins us for the first (and hopefully not the last) time! Announcements A call for listener input! We're thinking of doing a show about the challenges atheists face in relationships, particularly in families with a mix of atheists and believers.  Send your stories to contact@americanfreethought.com (attach voice files in mp3 or wav format).  If you don't know how to make a voice file, we can offer some assistance.  No deadline, but the sooner the better. David will be at the Atheist Alliance International convention in Long Beach, CA, Sept 25-28 [AtheistAlliance.org]. If you like science fiction, check out John’s SciFiDimensions Podcast [SciFiDimensions.com/podcast]. David’s Secular Nation Podcast [AtheistAlliance.org/podcast] has new episodes. Join us for discussion at the American Freethought Yahoo Group [link]. We also have a new Facebook page. Do you shop at Amazon.com?  If so, add [this link] to your browser Favorites (alternatively, you can just click through the Amazon.com link in the right-hand column of the AmericanFreethought.com website.  It won’t cost you a penny more; your purchases remain anonymous; and American Freethought gets a small percentage that will help offset our modest expenses and hopefully keep us out of the poor house. Send feedback to contact@americanfreethought.com - attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format. Music by Body Found [brickhouse-acoustics.com]. Recorded 09/07/2008.  Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll. news, podcast, politics, religion, skepticism, women's rights American Freethought no no http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/05/podcast-25-live-at-dragoncon/ http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/05/podcast-25-live-at-dragoncon/#comments Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:13:03 +0000 John C. Snider http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/?p=98 http://www.americanfreethought.com/wordpress/2008/09/05/podcast-25-live-at-dragoncon/feed/ 3 54:59 [Apologies for the sound glitch at the very beginning.  The theme music overpowers the voice track, but it only lasts a few seconds.] Presenting our first-ever ... [Apologies for the sound glitch at the very beginning.  The theme music overpowers the voice track, but it only lasts a few seconds.] Presenting our first-ever live episode, recorded August 30th at Dragon*Con as part of the Skeptics programming track, directed by Derek Colanduno of Skepticality fame.  (Derek's pod-partner Swoopy directed Dragon*Con's Podcasting track.) In the segment "The Craziest $#!+ in Georgia", we present real-life weirdness from the Peach State.  David discusses the Georgia Guidestones ("America's Stonehenge"), a granite monument erected on a hillside outside Elberton, Georgia and paid for by an anonymous humanistic donor.  John offers a rambling Connections-style tale that links Stone Mountain, Creation Science, Superman and the KKK.  We also include a special Holey Scripture aimed at lovers of dragons and other mythological monsters (which can be found in the Bible if you know where to look). Thanks to everyone in our live audience, and especially to those who came up to say you've been listening to the podcast.  Derek and Company did a fantastic job all weekend with the Skeptics Track - packed audiences were entertained by skeptical superstars like James "The Amazing" Randi, Phil "The Bad Astronomer" Plait, George "Geologic Podcast" Hrab, D. J. "Point of Inquiry" Grothe, Lori Lipman Brown and several others.  It's a sure bet that next year's Dragon*Con will see improved and expanded programming for the fans. For more on Dragon*Con visit DragonCon.org. Visit Derek and Swoopy at Skepticality.com. Visit us online at AmericanFreethought.com. Send feedback to contact@americanfreethought.com - attach voicemail in mp3 or wav format and we might play your comments in a future show. Recorded 08/30/2008.  Hosted by John Snider and David Driscoll. commentary, history, humor, podcast, religion, science, skepticism American Freethought no no