Monthly Archives: August 2009
Should We Teach About the Paranormal?
I am currently working on a textbook for psychology undergraduates. One of the reviewers who commented on the original proposal I submitted recommended that it should include a section on parapsychology. They have a point. One of the reasons I … Continue reading
Filed under General Thoughts
US Atheist Buses Stirs Up Controversy
Yesterday, I learned that a dispute has broken out in Des Moines, Iowa – home town of anglophile Bill Bryson. Iowa atheists paid for the above bus ad compaign that was initially pulled and then reinstated by the Des … Continue reading
Filed under atheism, In the News
Things Are Not Always As They Seem
Watch the following clip CAREFULLY and then decide what you think you heard first time round. The phenomenon known as the McGurk effect demonstrates how the brain can take differing visual and auditory signals and generate a new phenomenological experience. Richard … Continue reading
Filed under Research
Mindreading – Is It Really Possible?
Most of us read minds quite easily. Of course, I am not talking about true telepathy because we cannot directly access the content of someone else’s mind but we can readily infer what someone might be thinking given the circumstances … Continue reading
Filed under Research
Do I Sound Like Robin Williams or on Speed?
Thank you Little Atoms for the interview last friday in London. I have to say that I think I sound a bit like Robin Williams (a comparison I have had before). So have listen and let me know. I am really … Continue reading
Filed under book publicity
Looks a Bit Like Russell but Minchin is More Talented
As I consolidate my standing in the ranks of the skeptical community, I have increasing encountered the name of Tim Minchin in conversation, on You Tube and rising rapidly up the greasy pole of celebrity status. If you don’t already … Continue reading
Filed under In the News
What’s in a Name?
I recently came across this report from the PsyBlog site that often produces nuggets of SuperSense relevent research. Apparently, people underperform in situations where poor outcomes are associated with the initials in their name. For example, researchers studied baseball records and … Continue reading
Filed under Research, supernatural
