Skepticism and the "Greens"

Over the past few months a couple of Baltimore Skeptics have been involved in online discussions with environmentalists on a variety of subjects. "Andyfts" and "Baltskpt" have been doing some heavy fact checking and follow up in response to some of the articles and "myth busting" done on the Green Options website / blog.

All of the writers that post on Green Options have been very warm in their welcome of a skeptical view as well as accepting the information we have presented. Mind you, this is no fancy debate or formal open forum discussion...it is simply point-counterpoint posting in Green Options comments section, but anyone can join and everyone has been learning alot about the current environmental issues.

Discussion of particular interest include:

Was Greenland Once Green?
Baltskpt posted a very well researched and well thought-out explaination of the role of the skeptic in the "climate change debate" (global warming)

Color Me Phthalate Free
Andyfts posted an INCREDIBLY long winded post about whether or not the use of phthalates in cosmetics and other products is actually harmful to humans.

Are Our Children Lab Rats?
Both skeptics looked at issues presented in an article on children and various chemical exposures. A background check of Bisphenol A and it's dangers and can pesticide use have an effect on intelligence in children born during the summer months?

Fair Trade
Andyfts expressed his views about Fair Trade which opened a discussion with 2 of Green Options writers.


It's not our intention to attack or disparage any of the writers or readers of Green Options, these discussions were very organic (ha ha!) in how they came about and we believe they have been beneficial to both sides. Andyfts and Baltsktp's comments on the Green Options site have not been endorsed by the operators of Green Options, however all discussions have been directly with the authors of said articles.

So, there is some interesting stuff going on over there....check it out and get in on the discussions!

"Good News Everyone!"

...as Futurama's Professor Farnsworth would say.

The Center for Student Involvement at The University of Baltimore is considering a student run Special Interest Group that has something to do with skepticism! Details are few, but there is something in the works for Fall 2007.

I know, it seems a little early to announce, but The SBS is very excited at the prospect of a skeptical group on one of our Baltimore campuses.

Thats Nice -- Prove It!

In support of The James Randi Educational Foundation, we now have "That's Nice -- Prove It!" bumper stickers available for FREE!


..>graphic to follow<..

The b/w bumper sticker reads: "That's Nice -- Prove It!" with the subtext: " Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof! www.randi.org" It's just our little way of helping spread the word about everyone's favorite debunker of psychics, spoon benders and dowsers, James The Amazing Randi!

Some stickers are currently available at
Normal's Books and Records,
The City Cafe and at
Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse. If you don't see them, just ask!

For more information shoot us an e-mail.

Baltimore Skeptics

Thanks again for visiting the Society of Baltimore Skeptics blog!

As you may or may not know, the Society of Baltimore Skeptics (The SBS) is a neophyte organization of skeptics, scientists, authors, researchers and students. Our intention is to create an educational and scientific membership organization that promotes critical thinking and scientific understanding. In doing so we hope to promote critical investigation of paranormal and pseudo-science claims from a scientific point of view and draw attention to the factual information about the results of such inquiries for the sake of the scientific community and the general public.

For those of you already interested and involved in the skeptical movement, I'm sure none of this sounds new. Many organizations are structured in the same way and work tword the same means, and we strive to have the influence and membership like organizations such as The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry or The New England Skeptical Society! However, before we can start a magazine or organize a weekly skeptical podcast, we need SKEPTICS!

Baltimore seems to be a hotbed for two sides of the skeptical debate. On one side we have our MANY colleges and research programs - do we need any better example of this than Johns Hopkins? Strangely enough, on the other side Baltimore has a plethora of pseudo-scientific groups, ghost hunters and psychics. We have our very own Bob Hieronimus - while he DOES have the same name he is NOT the Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot guy. Yet, interestingly enough our Bob Hieronimus has a weekly radio show on all things paranornal and occult and even managed to get Maryland to approve AUM his school of esoteric studies which grants certificates in the occult sciences, mystic arts and religious metaphysics!! This city is a skeptics dream! One stop shopping for science facts and paranormal-babble fiction!

If this is something that piques your interest, then please, drop an email to baltimoreskeptic@gmail.com

New to Skepticism? Get the podcast!

If you are new to skepticism and want to know what it's all about, who the major players are and all current topics of debate...

Go directly to iTunes and your iTunes store and download ALL podcasts of :

The Skeptics' Guide will get you up to speed on current skeptical events and it's lots of fun to listen to! This fine programming is brought to us by The New England Skeptical Society and Dr. Steven Novella.

More information can be found at:

http://www.theskepticsguide.org/

About Us:

Like many skeptic organizations before us, we are an educational and scientific membership organization that promotes critical thinking and scientific understanding.

As of January 2007, the society began seeking new members and has been working tword obtaining 501 (c) 3 non-profit status. If you are interested in becoming a member please contact us at baltimoreskeptic@gmail.com