{PDF EPUB} Murder at the Galactic Writers' Society by Janet Asimov Murder at the Galactic Writers' Society by Janet Asimov

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

{PDF EPUB} Murder at the Galactic Writers' Society by Janet Asimov Murder at the Galactic Writers' Society by Janet Asimov Read Ebook {PDF EPUB} Murder at the Galactic Writers' Society by Janet Asimov Murder at the Galactic Writers' Society by Janet Asimov. Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property. What can I do to prevent this in the future? If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware. If you are at an office or shared network, you can ask the network administrator to run a scan across the network looking for misconfigured or infected devices. Cloudflare Ray ID: 65fd35763baf3140 • Your IP : 116.202.236.252 • Performance & security by Cloudflare. Creator / Janet Asimov. Dr Janet Asimov (born Janet Opal Jeppson, 6 August 1926 — died 25 February 2019) began writing in the late 1960s, having prioritized a career as a psychiatrist first. Writing Science Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Mystery Fiction was a pastime that her husband, Isaac Asimov, encouraged. The two collaborated on several stories, and Janet Asimov continued her medical career at the same time. On a personal level, when Isaac became sick, she researched medical problems and convinced him to test his blood for certain markers. Ten years after his death, she revealed that it had been the result of an HIV infection from a poorly-sanitized blood transfusion during his 1983 heart surgery. Janet Asimov's most prolific decade of writing was during the 1980s, and when she collaborated with her husband Isaac, he would regularly credit her with the majority of the work, limiting himself to editing her drafts. Many of her independently written stories were published under the alias J. O. Jeppson, even after her marriage. She continued to be active for many years, until her own death on 25 February 2019. ASIMOV, Janet Jeppson. ASIMOV, Janet Jeppson. American, b. 1926. Genres: Novels, Novellas/Short stories, Children's fiction, Writing/Journalism. Career: Physician, 1952-. Training and supervising analyst, W.A. White Psychoanalytic Institute, 1969- (director of training, 1974-82). Science columnist for the Los Angeles Times Syndicate, now Tribune Media Services, 1992-. Associate ed., Contemporary Psychoanalysis, 1970-94. Publications: The Second Experiment, 1974; The Last Immortal, 1980; (with I. Asimov) Norby, The Mixed-up Robot, 1983; (with I. Asimov) Norby's Other Secret, 1984; (with I. Asimov) Norby and the Lost Princess, 1985; The Mysterious Cure and Other Stories of Pshrinks Anonymous, 1985; (with I. Asimov) Norby and the Invaders, 1985; (with I. Asimov) Norby and the Queen's Necklace, 1986; (with I. Asimov) Norby Finds a Villain, 1987; (with I. Asimov) How to Enjoy Writing, 1987; Mind Transfer, 1988; The Package in Hyperspace, 1988; (with I. Asimov) Norby Down to Earth, 1988; (with I. Asimov) Norby and Yobo's Great Adventure, 1989; (with I. Asimov) Norby and the Oldest Dragon, 1990; (with I. Asimov) Norby and the Court Jester, 1991; (with I. Asimov) Frontiers II, 1993; Murder at the Galactic Writers' Society, 1995; Norby and the Terrified Taxi, 1997. EDITOR: (with I. Asimov) Laughing Space, 1982; I. Asimov, It's Been a Good Life. Address: 10 W 66th St, New York, NY 10023, U.S.A. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. MLA Chicago APA. "Asimov, Janet Jeppson ." Writers Directory 2005 . Retrieved June 03, 2021 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/culture-magazines/asimov-janet-jeppson. Citation styles. Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA). Within the “Cite this article” tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. Asimov, Janet 1926- PERSONAL: Born August 6, 1926, in Ashland, PA; daughter of John Rufus (a physician) and Rae Jeppson; married Isaac Asimov (a writer), November 30, 1973 (died, 1992). Education: Attended Wellesley College, 1944-46; Stanford University, B.A., 1948; New York University, M.D., 1952; William A. White Psychoanalytic Institute, postdoctoral study, 1955-60. Politics: Democrat. Religion: “Atheist.” ADDRESSES: Home and office —New York, NY. Agent —Ralph M. Vicinanza, 303 W. 18th St., New York, NY 10011. CAREER: Licensed to practice medicine in New York; Philadelphia General Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, intern, 1952-53; Bellevue Hospital, New York City, psychiatric resident, 1953-56; private practice of medicine in New York City, beginning 1956; retired. William A. White Psychoanalytic Institute, New York City, assistant director of clinical services, 1967-71, training and supervisory analyst, beginning 1969, director of training, 1974-82; writer. Bimonthly science columnist for Tribune Media . MEMBER: Authors League of America, Authors Guild, American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Psychoanalysis, William Alanson White Society, New York State Medical Society, New York County Medical Society, New York Society for Ethical Culture, Phi Beta Kappa. WRITINGS: “NORBY” SERIES OF JUVENILE NOVELS; WITH HUSBAND, ISAAC ASIMOV, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Norby, the Mixed-up Robot (also see below), Walker & Co. (New York, NY), 1983. Norby’s Other Secret (also see below), Walker & Co.(New York, NY), 1984. Norby and the Invaders (also see below), Walker & Co.(New York, NY), 1985. Norby and the Lost Princess (also see below), Walker & Co. (New York, NY), 1985. The Norby Chronicles (contains Norby, the Mixed-Up Robot and Norby’s Other Secret ), Ace Books (NewYork, NY), 1986. Norby and the Queen’s Necklace (also see below), Walker & Co. (New York, NY), 1986. Norby Finds a Villain (also see below), Walker & Co.(New York, NY), 1987. Norby: Robot for Hire (contains Norby and the Lost Princess and Norby and the Invaders ), Ace Books (New York, NY), 1987. Norby through Time and Space (contains Norby and the Queen’s Necklace and Norby Finds a Villain) , Ace Books (New York, NY), 1988. Norby Down to Earth, Walker & Co. (New York, NY), 1989. Norby and Yobo’s Great Adventure, Walker & Co.(New York, NY), 1989. Norby and the Oldest Dragon, Walker & Co. (New York, NY), 1990. Norby and the Court Jester, Walker & Co. (New York, NY), 1991. (Sole author) Norby and the Terrified Taxi, Walker & Co. (New York, NY), 1997. OTHER. (With husband, Isaac Asimov) How to Enjoy Writing: A Book of Aid and Comfort, Walker & Co. (New York, NY), 1987. The Package in Hyperspace (juvenile science fiction), Walker & Co. (New York, NY), 1988. Mind Transfer (science fiction), Walker & Co. (New York, NY), 1988. Frontiers II, Dutton (New York, NY), 1993. Murder at the Galactic Writers’ Society, DAW Books (New York, NY), 1995. (With Isaac Asimov) It’s Been a Good Life, Prometheus (Amherst, NY), 2002. Notes for a Memoir: On Isaac Asimov, Life, and Writing, Prometheus Books (Amherst, NY), 2006. Author of science column in Los Angeles Times, 1 992—. Contributor of articles and short stories to periodicals. Associate editor of Contemporary Psychoanalysis, 1970-97. UNDER NAME J.O. JEPPSON. The Second Experiment (novel), Houghton (Boston, MA), 1974. The Last Immortal (novel), Houghton (Boston, MA), 1980. (Editor, with husband Isaac Asimov) Laughing Space: Funny Science Fiction (anthology), Houghton (Boston, MA), 1982. The Mysterious Cure, and Other Stories of Pshrinks Anonymous (short stories), Doubleday (New York, NY), 1985. SIDELIGHTS: Janet Asimov, who originally wrote as J.O. Jeppson, is an accomplished novelist and short-story writer who sometimes worked in collaboration with her husband, the late Isaac Asimov. Among the Asimovs’ joint ventures as writers is the series of juvenile novels involving an endearing robot, Norby, and his young owner, Jeff Wells. Asimov told CA: "I had started Norby, the Mixed-up Robot back in the sixties, but didn’t get far then. Ultimately I rewrote it, then asked Isaac to rewrite it again on his word processor.” Among the Norby tales is Norby and the Court Jester, in which the robot travels through time and space with Jeff and Admiral Boris Yobo. The trio arrive on the distant planet Izz, where Norby hopes to reunite with what a Kirkus Reviews critic describes as his "robot-love Pera.” But Pera has disappeared, and the ensuing search proves difficult because most of the population has fallen under the spell of a hypnotic computer game, Teenytrip. The Kirkus Reviews critic called Norby and the Court Jester “good, clean fun.” Asimov continued the Norby series after her husband’s death in 1992. In 1997, she published Norby and the Terrified Taxi, wherein Norby and Jeff oppose a malicious alien computer that aspires to eliminate humanity by altering the past. Through the moronic Garc the Great, the computer manages to capture Norby, but Jeff allies himself with Lizzie, a taxi, and determines to rescue Norby and thwart the evil computer. A Kirkus Reviews critic unfavorably compared Norby and the Terrified Taxi with previous entries, proclaiming the tale “hokey and banal.” Notes for a Memoir: On Isaac Asimov, Life, and Writing, published in 2006, offers readers Asimov’s insights into the writing process, life with a famous writer, the need to write, and the sense of identity that comes from writing and its various thought processes, when writing is what one is meant to do with one’s life. Rather than writing a traditional biography or autobiography, Asimov has simply compiled a series of notes about a range of subjects, from her husband to good books to broader topics that include religion, sex, and philosophy. The book also includes photographs from the family collection, snippets of fiction, and some excerpts from letters not included elsewhere. Gene Shaw, in a review for the Library Journal, remarked that the book is “a fun read for Isaac Asimov fans,” but also acknowledged that the author’s writings about Isaac’s death and her resulting grief are poignant and moving.
Recommended publications
  • PAUL KURTZ in MEMORIAM Paul Kurtz, Philosopher, Humanist Leader, and Founder of the Modern Skeptical Movement, Dies at Eighty-Six TOM FLYNN
    Jan Feb 13 2_SI new design masters 11/29/12 11:26 AM Page 5 [ PAUL KURTZ IN MEMORIAM Paul Kurtz, Philosopher, Humanist Leader, and Founder of the Modern Skeptical Movement, Dies at Eighty-Six TOM FLYNN Paul Kurtz, founder and longtime chair At NYU Kurtz studied philosophy of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, under Sidney Hook, who had himself the Council for Secular Humanism, and been a protégé of the pragmatist philoso- the Center for Inquiry, died at the age pher John Dewey. The philosophy of of eighty-six on October 20, 2012. He Dewey and Hook, arguably the greatest was one of the most influential figures American thinkers in the humanist tra- in the humanist and skeptical move- dition, would deeply in fluence Kurtz’s ments from the late 1960s through the thought and activism. Kurtz graduated first decade of the twenty-first century. from NYU in 1948 and earned his PhD Among his best-known creations are in philosophy at Columbia University in the skeptics’ magazine SKEPTICAL IN- 1952. QUIRER, the secular humanist magazine Free Inquiry, and the independent pub- Academic Career lisher Prometheus Books. Kurtz taught philosophy at Trinity Col- Jonathan Kurtz, Paul’s son, told SI that lege from 1952 to 1959. He joined the his father had a “‘joyous’ last day, joking, faculty at Union College from 1961 to laughing, etc. He then died suddenly to- 1965; during this period he was also a ward bedtime. There was no suffering.” A visiting lecturer at the New School for joint CFI/CSI/CSH statement marked Social Research.
    [Show full text]
  • Congratulations from the World
    FI June-July 2006 Pages 4/27/06 12:40 PM Page 27 Paul Kurtz at Eighty Congratulations from the World n December 21, 2005, the staffs of the Center for I have known Paul for much of this period, and I admire him Inquiry and Prometheus Books held the most for being a passionate and articulate voice for humanism, sec- unlikely imaginable event: a surprise eighti- ularism, and rational thinking. Our world today—particularly eth birthday party for FREE INQUIRY founder the United States—needs many more spirited individuals and Oand Editor in Chief Paul Kurtz. Why unlikely? philosophers like Paul. There is a great deal of unfinished We were holding it at the newly expanded Center for business, so I sincerely hope, Paul, that you are not thinking of Inquiry, and at eighty Paul remains an engaged and retirement. observant CEO. Under cover of planning a winter-solstice Take it from me: I have tried retirement many times, and it party, we managed to stage a catered affair for more than just doesn’t work! one hundred people, complete with surprise appearances —All the best, Arthur C. Clarke, by friends and colleagues from as far away as Florida and science-fiction author and California—and Paul never inventor suspected a thing. An additional facet of the Many happy returns, dear bril- celebration was the reading of “There is a great deal of unfinished liant friend Paul, and please, greetings and encomia from business, so I sincerely hope . that you take care. This troubled world distinguished thinkers and truly needs more gentlemen like activists from around the are not thinking of retirement.
    [Show full text]
  • Media Discourse and the Shroud of Turin Tamira Stephens CS651
    Media Discourse and the Shroud of Turin Tamira Stephens CS651 Michael Mc Vicar June 7, 2012 In a "trucker chapel" in Raleigh, North Carolina, political commentator and comedian Bill Maher speaks with a small group of Christians about their faith in the Bible. Maher asks, "Are you ever bothered by many things that are in Christianity that are not in the Bible, like original sin, immaculate conception, the virgin birth is only in two of the Gospels, Popes ... Are you worried that these things came not from the founders, the people that wrote this book, but from-and this is indisputable-but from men? From human beings, who came after them? And when I say men, I mean people with penises." A man interrupts Maher, answering, "If you want to go back to scientific proof, I think it was the 'Turban of Shroud,' or whatever that was going on around awhile back, I didn't get involved with it, they took blood samples from it, and it was a female blood with a male figure. Ok, the only possible way that could happen was that the Holy Ghost impregnated Mary, because it would have been female blood, because it would have been the only blood flowing through her." Maher looks at the man perplexed, as though he doesn't know quite what to make of what was said, until the minister of the chapel steers the conversation in another direction. 1 What can be said about this small moment in a made-for-box-office documentary on the perils and absurdity of religious belief? Does it matter that this unnamed man was actually wrong in his attempt to describe the Shroud of Turin? Or is the fact that he used whatever information 1 Larry Charles, Director, Religulous, 2008.
    [Show full text]
  • Scanned Using Book Scancenter 5331
    This material may be protected by copyright law (Titlel 7, U.S. Code) Published 2007 by Prometheus Books The New Enq/clopedia of Unbelief. Copyright ® 2007 by Tom Flynn. All rights reserved. No part of this pub­ lication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, dig­ ital, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, or conveyed via the Internet or a Web site without prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Inquiries should be addressed to Prometheus Books 59 John Glenn Drive Amherst, New York 14228-2119 VOICE; 716-691-0133, ext. 210 FAX; 716-691-0137 WWW.PROMETHEUSBOOKS.COM 11 10 09 08 07 5 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data The new encyclopedia of unbelief / ed[ited] by Tom Flynn, p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-59102-391-3 (hardcover ; alk. paper) 1. Rationalism—Encyclopedias. 2. Free thought—Encyclopedias. 3. Atheism—Encyclopedias. 4. Agnosticism—Encyclopedias. 1. Flynn, Tom, 1955-. BL2705.N49 2006 211'.803—dc22 2006012121 Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper This material may be protected by copyright law (Title17, U.S. Code) MIRACLES, Unbelief in 541 Greek gods had their special diet, namely, ambrosia. It is MIRACULOUS PHENOMENA. The Anglican writer noteworthy that the Gospel of Luke in particular, while C. S. Lewis defined a miracle succinctly as “an interfer­ emphasizing Jesus’s flesh and bones, says nothing about ence with Nature by supernatural power.” Supposed mir­ retrieving his blood, which was presumably spilled earlier.
    [Show full text]
  • What Is Secular Humanism?
    BFI Revelation Teaching — Dr. Jay Zinn What Is Secular Humanism? Secular Humanism is a term which has come into use in the last thirty years to describe a world view with the following elements and principles: A conviction that dogmas, ideologies and traditions, whether religious, political or social, must be weighed and tested by each individual and not simply accepted on faith. Commitment to the use of critical reason, factual evidence, and scientific methods of inquiry, rather than faith and mysticism, in seeking solutions to human problems and answers to important human questions. A primary concern with fulfillment, growth, and creativity for both the individual and humankind in general. A constant search for objective truth, with the understanding that new knowledge and experience constantly alter our imperfect perception of it. A concern for this life and a commitment to making it meaningful through better understanding of ourselves, our history, our intellectual and artistic achievements, and the outlooks of those who differ from us. A search for viable individual, social and political principles of ethical conduct, judging them on their ability to enhance human well-being and individual responsibility. A conviction that with reason, an open marketplace of ideas, good will, and tolerance, progress can be made in building a better world for ourselves and our children. Accurate definitions are difficult to come by. When one hears the word “humanism,” several different ideas may come to mind. For example, Mr. Webster would define humanism something like this: "any system or mode of thought or action in which human interests, values, or dignity predominate."[1] Others may think of a liberal arts education.
    [Show full text]
  • Responding to the New Atheism: Scientific and Religious Perspectives
    THE WHEATLEY INSTITUTION Responding to the New Atheism: Scientific and Religious Perspectives Richard N. Williams and Edwin E. Gantt, Editors Wheatley Publications Responding to the New Atheism: Scientific and Religious Perspectives Richard N. Williams and Edwin E. Gantt, Editors Wheatley Publications The Wheatley Institution Brigham Young University 392 Hinckley Center Provo, UT 84602 Main: 801-422-5883 Fax: 801-422-0017 Email: [email protected] http://wheatleyinstitution.byu.edu Donor Liaison: Tom Mullen Phone: 801-422-4476 Email: [email protected] CONTENTS Responding to the New Atheism . 1 Richard N. Williams and Edwin E. Gantt Defending Against the Threat of the New Atheism . 7 Dinesh D’Souza, King’s College The Possibility of Atheism; the Place of Faith . .15 James E. Faulconer, Richard L. Evans Professor of Religious Understanding; Professor of Philosophy, Brigham Young University Scientific Fundamentalism and Its Cultural Impact . 23 Karl W. Giberson, Eastern Nazarene College Physics and Faith . 31 Stephen M. Barr, University of Delaware The Argument for Intelligent Design in Biology . 37 Michael J. Behe, Lehigh University Outlines of an LDS Response to the New Atheism. 45 Edwin E. Gantt and Richard N. Williams, Brigham Young University RESPONDING TO THE NEW ATHEISM Richard N. Williams and Edwin E. Gantt t may be lamentable, but is nonetheless true, that many trustworthy, and just plain worthy in the intellectual life of I people speak and write English without ever consult- our culture, as well as what is incoherent, erroneous, and ing a dictionary of the English language or a grammar text. unworthy. Many, if not most Americans will defend our constitutional This is most often not an easy thing to do.
    [Show full text]
  • Humanism in the Americas
    Bucknell University Bucknell Digital Commons Faculty Contributions to Books Faculty Scholarship 7-2020 Humanism in the Americas Carol W. White Bucknell University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.bucknell.edu/fac_books Part of the Ethics and Political Philosophy Commons, Ethics in Religion Commons, History of Philosophy Commons, Intellectual History Commons, Latin American History Commons, Other Arts and Humanities Commons, Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation White, Carol W., "Humanism in the Americas" (2020). Faculty Contributions to Books. 211. https://digitalcommons.bucknell.edu/fac_books/211 This Contribution to Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Faculty Scholarship at Bucknell Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Contributions to Books by an authorized administrator of Bucknell Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Humanism in the Americas Humanism in the Americas Carol Wayne White The Oxford Handbook of Humanism Edited by Anthony B. Pinn Subject: Religion, Religious Identity, Atheism Online Publication Date: Jul 2020 DOI: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190921538.013.11 Abstract and Keywords This chapter provides an overview of select trends, ideas, themes, and figures associated with humanism in the Americas, which comprises a diversified set of peoples, cultural tra­ ditions, religious orientations, and socio-economic groups. In acknowledging this rich ta­ pestry of human life, the chapter emphasizes the impressive variety of developments in philosophy, the natural sciences, literature, religion, art, social science, and political thought that have contributed to the development of humanism in the Americas.
    [Show full text]
  • The Signature Books Saga
    Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 1989–2011 Volume 16 Number 1 Article 17 1-1-2004 The Signature Books Saga Louis Midgley Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/msr BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Midgley, Louis (2004) "The Signature Books Saga," Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 1989–2011: Vol. 16 : No. 1 , Article 17. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/msr/vol16/iss1/17 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 1989–2011 by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Title The Signature Books Saga Author(s) Louis Midgley Reference FARMS Review 16/1 (2004): 361–406. ISSN 1550-3194 (print), 2156-8049 (online) Abstract Although founded and directed by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, publishing company Signature Books has a reputation of hav- ing a liberal view of controversial LDS issues. Louis Midgley examines the history of Signature Books and compares it to that of Prometheus Books, a publisher of atheist literature. The Signature Books Saga Louis Midgley And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray’s In deepest consequence. Shakespeare¹ t the end of his career, the late Sterling McMurrin, one of my A esteemed former teachers, as well as a celebrated cultural Mor- mon polymath,² mentioned his friendship with George D.
    [Show full text]
  • CURRICULUM VITAE Taner Edis
    Taner Edis | CV Page 1 of 18 CURRICULUM VITAE Taner Edis Department of Physics Truman State University Kirksville, MO 63501 (660) 785{4583 (660) 785{7604 (fax) [email protected] edis.sites.truman.edu EDUCATION • Ph.D. (Physics) December 1994 The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore Dissertation: Theoretical Analysis of Josephson Junction Systems and Superconducting Superlattices Thesis Advisor: Prof. Kishin Moorjani • M.A. (Physics) 1989 The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore • B.S. Highest Honors (Computer Engineering) 1987 B.S. Highest Honors (Physics) 1987 Bo˘gazi¸ciUniversity, Istanbul, Turkey PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Academic: Truman State University • Professor (2011{present) Associate Professor (2005{2011) Assistant Professor (2000{2005) Taught: Quantum Mechanics, Cosmology, Thermodynamics & Sta- tistical Physics, Mathematical Methods, College Physics, Concepts in Taner Edis | CV Page 2 of 18 Physics, Engineering Thermodynamics, Statics, Physics Seminar, Ju- nior Seminar. Developed and taught: \Weird Science" Junior Interdisciplinary Semi- nar, Computer Programming for Physics. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Atmospheric Science Divi- sion • Participating Guest (2000{2008) Model development work on Impact, LLNL's global 3D atmospheric model. • Summer Faculty (1998 and 1999) Modeling aerosol and cloud effects on radiation transfer. Southern University, Department of Physics • Research Associate (1998{2000) Improved an atmospheric model developed at Lawrence Livermore Na- tional Laboratory. • Instructor (1998{2000) Classical Mechanics,
    [Show full text]
  • Using Pseudoscience to Teach Scientific Thinking
    PERSPECTIVE ARTICLE published: 17 April 2014 doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00336 Hauntings, homeopathy, and the Hopkinsville Goblins: using pseudoscience to teach scientific thinking Rodney Schmaltz1* and Scott O. Lilienfeld 2 1 Department of Psychology, MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB, Canada 2 Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA Edited by: With access to information ever increasing, it is essential that students acquire the skills to Gretchen Maria Reevy, California distinguish fact from fiction. By incorporating examples of pseudoscience into lectures, State University, East Bay, USA instructors can provide students with the tools needed to understand the difference Reviewed by: between scientific and pseudoscientific or paranormal claims. We discuss examples Melinda J. Mollette, Gwinnett County Public Schools, USA involving psychics, ghosts, aliens, and other phenomena in relation to scientific thinking. E. Michael Nussbaum, University of In light of research literature demonstrating that presenting and dispelling scientific Nevada, Las Vegas, USA misconceptions in the classroom is an effective means of countering non-scientific or *Correspondence: pseudoscientific beliefs, we provide examples of pseudoscience that can be used to help Rodney Schmaltz, Department of students acquire healthy skepticism while avoiding cynicism. Psychology, MacEwan University, City Centre Campus, 6-370, 10700-104 Keywords: scientific thinking, skepticism, pseudoscience, teaching resources, introductory psychology Avenue, Edmonton, AB, Canada e-mail: [email protected] From Dr. Oz promoting homeopathy to Deepak Chopra extolling same time, there is hope. Researchers have found that short-term the virtues of quantum healing, students are bombarded with skeptical thinking improves among students who have had direct questionable claims that require careful examination.
    [Show full text]
  • Radical Atheism and Religious Power New Atheist Politics
    STUART McANULLA Radical atheism and religious power New atheist politics he increased visibility of assertive forms of athe­ within the ‘New Atheist’ movement. Even Hitchens’ ism has provoked much public debate. This art­ own terminal illness would become (as he himself Ticle argues that new atheism primarily seeks to described it) ‘an Event’ as it provoked public debate contest what it considers to be the unjustifiably power­ concerning how atheists may approach the assumed ful role of religion through a multi­faceted challenge to finality of physical death. In many ways Hitchens religious beliefs, practices and institutions. Influential might be taken to have personified the uncomprom­ theories of power are drawn upon to unpack the char­ ising attitude of new atheists towards religion, which acter of new atheist positions. It is proposed that new he argued arises ‘from the bawling, fearful infancy of atheism seeks to challenge four perceived ‘dimensions‘ our species’ (2007: 64). New atheism is best known as of religious power, in particular (i) religion’s role in pub­ a literary and media phenomenon, being particularly lic decision­making; (ii) the ability of religious groups associated with the publication of a range of bestsell­ to shape policy agendas; (iii) the power of religion to ing books in the UK, US and elsewhere (e.g. Dawk­ create preferences that run counter to an individual’s ins 2006, Harris 2004, Dennett 2006, Harris 2008, true interests and, (iv) the role of religion in consti­ Hitchens 2007, Loftus 2008, Barker 2008, Stenger tuting forms of subjectivity more generally. Focussing 2008, 2009, Onfray 2008).
    [Show full text]
  • Downloads/Why-Is-There-A-Skeptical-Movement.Pdf, 66
    URI GELLER AND THE RECEPTION OF PARAPSYCHOLOGY IN THE 1970S by JACOB OLDER GREEN B.A. The University of Chicago, 2009 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS in THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE AND POSTDOCTORAL STUDIES (History) THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Vancouver) July, 2018 © Jacob Older Green, 2018 The following individuals certify that they have read, and recommend to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for acceptance, the thesis entitled: URI GELLER AND THE RECEPTION OF PARAPSYCHOLOGY IN THE 1970S submitted by Jacob Older Green in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in History Examining Committee: Joy Dixon, History Supervisor Robert Brain, History Supervisory Committee Member Alexei Kojevnikov Additional Examiner ii Abstract This paper investigates the controversy following the publication of work by scientists working at the Stanford Research Institute that claimed to show that the extraordinary mental powers of 1970s super psychic Uri Geller were real. The thesis argues that the controversy around Geller represented a shift in how skeptical scientists treated parapsychology. Instead of engaging with parapsychology and treating it as an incipient, if unpromising scientific discipline, which had been the norm since the pioneering work of J.B. Rhine in the 1930s, parapsychology's critics portrayed the discipline as a pseudoscience, little more than an attempt by credulous scientists to confirm their superstitious belief in occult psychic powers. The controversy around Geller also led to the creation of The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), one of the first skeptical organizations specializing in investigating supposed instances of paranormal phenomena.
    [Show full text]