James Randi and The Secrets of the Psychics

Back in the day, I had this video on VHS and have used it in a variety of ways, from a substitute lesson plan to using it as a prompt and evidence for essay writing on critical thinking.  I converted my VHS to DVD for personal use, by recently found it on YouTube.

I love James Randi and how he uses rationality and critical thinking to poke holes in the methods and claims of psychics.  This is a great addition to any intro to psychology class. In this documentary, he shows how magic can be used to recreate what people claim to do in the name of being psychic, palm reading, horoscopes, faith healing, and more.  Great stuff if you are a skeptic.

Additionally, for those who claim that psychics are real, direct them to his website, http://web.randi.org/.  He also has had the $1,000,000 challenge since the 1980s.  He will give a person that money IF s/he can scientifically demonstrate parapsychological powers.  To date, those who make claims do not take the challenge. To the few who do, they fail.  It is a classic "put up or shut up" scenario.


 posted by Chuck Schallhorn

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What's Your Sign? Are You Sure About That?

For years, I've been attempting to show my students how horoscopes theoretically work (somehow the positions of stars on the day of your birth have given you a simplistic way to predict your personal future on a day-to-day basis).  I also attempt to show them that the idea is bunk--that it is a pseudoscience.

If you have not heard, recently it became public knowledge what astrophysicists have known for some time--due to a variety of factors, over time, the positions of the stars in our respective skies change.  Yup, that's right.  Your sign is probably wrong.  There had been 12 signs, but a 13th has been added.  The stars have moved about a full zodiac sign in the past 2000 years.  While astrologers are upset about this and claim otherwise, it just seems like a bit of cognitive dissonance to me.  For more details, read the article in Time magazine from the January 31, 2011 issue.

posted by Chuck Schallhorn

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Bill Nye and Pseudoscience

Bill Nye, the new generation's Mr. Wizard, is known world-wide for his television work introducing children (and adults) to the wonderful world of science. Bill Nye also has a website that has a few features that include fast facts, featured scientists, and video clips. The section on pseudoscience is a short clip on fire walking at the end of which Bill exhorts viewers to be astounded by science and not by people trying to take advantage of them. Short and convincing. There are other features, one of which is on race. Informative and interesting.

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