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[ NEWS AND COMMENT When Entertainment Meets Science: Summit Boosts Innovative Education

Can the entertainment media, with their formidable skills, help educate young people about science? That was just one of the hopes as the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) hosted the unusual Summit on Science, En ter - tainment, and Education at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, Cal- ifornia, on February 4, 2011. The all-day symposium featured a top- shelf lineup of speakers from all over the United States on the status and direction of science education today. Each of its From left: Superstring theorist Brian Greene, writer/director/producer Jerry Zucker, and educator Tyler Johnstone three categories (science, entertainment, discuss ways to attract students to the world of science. and education) was well represented by in- novators in their respective fields with rel- her students to testify how they are drawn tainment who need help with content. evant knowledge and experience. toward science. In this day and age of Thanks to a $225,000 grant from the From the world of science, luminaries myriad distractions, catching the eye of Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, such as Ralph Cicerone, NAS president; students is more of a challenge than ever. the Ex change “is seeking proposals to es- Sean B. Carroll, biologist; and Charles But the program didn’t begin and end tablish collaborative partnerships among Vest, president of the National Academy with a group of experts bemoaning the scientists, entertainment industry profes- of Engineering and president emeritus of failures of the education system and sionals, and educators to develop educa- the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, pointing fingers at Hollywood schlock tional products or services that effectively were present. All of the participants in the merchants. (None of the latter was in at- leverage the resources of the entertain- science section of the symposium, includ- tendance as far as I knew.) Com puter- ment community to improve educational ing Neil DeGrasse Tyson and superstring gaming wizard Will Wright talked about outcomes in science classrooms.” theoretical physicist and author Brian how well-designed games can foster great We in the skeptical community should Greene, recognized the need for scientists creativity by encouraging players to invent welcome these efforts. Many a false belief to be able to communicate both ideas and aspects of their virtual worlds. Google’s rests on a poor understanding or a misun- enthusiasm to the general public. chief technology advocate, Michael Jones, derstanding of how the universe works, so The Walt Disney Company’s Liza - discussed how the Google Maps people any improvement in science education beth Fogel and Tony DeRose from Pixar put the “Gee!” in geography in well under will help us demystify a wide range of Animation Studios joined event co-spon- a decade. All the speakers—with some public misconceptions—from the local sor Jerry Zucker to give a much-needed poetry and animation sprinkled in—con- school-board fence-sitters who ask for Hollywood perspective. All were hopeful veyed their great passion for their work equal time for intelligent design to Fox about entertainment’s role in future sci- and hopes for the future. News personality Bill O’Reilly whose ence education while mindful that both In the late afternoon, the audience was YouTube video shows him asking, “How the television and movie industries are broken up into five groups and tasked did the moon get there? Who put it for-profit businesses. It was encouraging with brainstorming new and creative there?” to hear that both Disney and Pixar are ideas for how educators, scientists, and There are many smart kids out there making conscious efforts to educate in entertainers can empower student learn- who can be rescued from Bill O’Reilly’s new and creative ways. ing in the sciences. These organized and level of argumentum ad ignorantiam, some Educators such as award-winning facilitated sessions were summarized and of whom might even become in spired high school science teacher Janet English presented to the entire gathering at the enough by science to make it a lifelong and middle school innovator Tyler John- end of the day. pursuit. Maybe endeavors like this sum- stone also contributed their on-the-job The brainstorming sessions were held mit will help turn some young heads and perspectives to the discussion, while partially at the behest of the Science and make our lives a bit easier. Karen Cator of the U.S. Depart ment of Entertainment Exchange, a program of Education and creativity expert Sir Ken the National Academy of Sciences that Jim Underdownis the executive director of the Cen- Robinson added ideas about how we connects scientists and other experts with ter for Inquiry–Los Angeles and the chair and learn best. English even brought some of those developing science-based enter- founder of the Independent Investigations Group.

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Loftus Wins AAAS Evolution May Win in Court But Not in Scientific Freedom and the Classroom Responsibility Award Creationism may indeed have lost every cent who do not personally ac cept hu- one of its major U.S. federal court cases man evolution in the least conservative over the past forty years, but it may be districts. These antievolution views cou- winning the battles in Amer ica’s class- pled with a reluctance to teach evolution rooms. in conservative school districts help cre- That is the conclusion of a study of ate new generations of adults with sim- the evolution-creationism battle in the ilar views, Berkman and Plutzer warn. nation’s schools by political scientists On the plus side, they estimate from Michael B. Berkman and Eric Plutzer the data that 28 percent of all biology of Pennsylvania State University that teachers consistently implement the was published in the January 28, 2011, major recommendations and conclu- issue of Science. sions of the National Research Council. Berkman and Plutzer used the Na- These guidelines call for in troducing ev- tional Survey of High School Biol ogy idence that evolution has occurred and teachers whose data “reveal a pervasive that it is a unifying theme in biology. reluctance of teachers to forthrightly ex- Noted psychologist and Committee Six in ten teachers—“the cautious 60 for Skeptical Inquiry fellow Elizabeth plain evolutionary biology.” Berkman and Plutzer also say the data reveal “a percent”—just want to avoid contro- Loftus has been presented with the versy. Many have never taken a course in American Association for Advance - cycle of ignorance in which community evolution and feel unconfident in their ment of Science (AAAS) Scientific antievolution attitudes are perpetuated ability to defend it. These teachers fail Free dom and Responsibility Award. by teaching that reinforces local com- to explain the nature of scientific inquiry The award notes her investigations munity sentiment.” and otherwise legitimize creationist ar- into “false memory” and calls her “an In the most socially conservative guments, even if unintentionally, say ideal example of a scientist who is dis- school districts, composing about 15 tinguished for both advancing science percent of the districts surveyed, nearly Berkman and Plutzer. “The cautious 60 and applying it to make critical contri- four in ten teachers personally do not ac- percent may play a far more important butions to society.” cept human evolution and consequently role in hindering scientific literacy in the Specifically, the award honors her devote little time to evolution in their United States than the smaller number for “the profound impact that her pio- classrooms. This contrasts with 11 per- of explicit creationists.” neering research on human memory has had on the administration of jus- Skeptically Speaking Podcast Celebrates tice in the United States and abroad.” Second Anniversary Loftus is Distinguished Professor of Gurmukh Mongia social ecology and professor of law and cognitive science at the University of Weekly Canadian skeptical radio week Schell answers questions from lis- California, Irvine. Her discovery that show and podcast Skeptically Speaking teners who either call into the show or memories can be planted or manipu- celebrated its second anniversary in submit a question live via the Internet. lated led her to identify what has been March. The popular program is hosted Previous guests have included Phil “the called False Memory Syndrome. The by Desiree Schell, a scientifically minded Bad Astronomer” Plait, Adam “Myth- American Psychiatric Association has Edmontonian who describes herself as busters” Savage, declared repressed memory research being “constantly fascinated by how the columnist , and many “dead” because of Loftus’s research, the world works.” Each week Schell guides others. AAAS said. Loftus is a member of the Schell will also be a guest at the up- National Academy of Sciences. She is her listeners through an exploration of also the top-ranked woman on the Re- scientific and skeptical issues through coming TAM () view of General Psychology’s list of "100 interviews with researchers, authors, and 9 in Las Vegas, Nevada. More informa- Most Eminent Psychologists of the experts. tion about the show and its past 20th Century." Skeptically Speaking appears on episodes can be found at www.skepti- The award was presented Febru ary twenty-six radio stations across North callyspeaking.ca. 19, at the 2011 AAAS annual meeting America, its podcast gets 15,000 down- Gurmukh Mongia operates a blog and podcast in Washin gton, D.C. (See page 13 for loads each week. The show’s motto is related to critical thinking called The Dumbasses Loftus’s acceptance remarks.) “Call in. Question Everything.” Each Guide to Knowledge(www.dumb assguide.info).

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[ NEWS AND COMMENT

Statement from CSI and CFI on Walmart’s Marketing of a Homeopathic Flu Remedy

Below are excerpts from a joint statement from the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and the on Walmart’s marketing of a homeopathic flu remedy. The full statement and documentation, issued January 25, 2011, are available online at www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/walmart_homeopathy_statement.

We are deeply concerned about products Walmart offers as flu reme- out publicly against Walmart’s irre- Wal mart’s irresponsible marketing dies are, in fact, effective for prevent- sponsibility. and promotion of Boiron Oscillo - ing and treating the flu. People are We urge Walmart to cease mar- coc cinum, an ineffective homeo- buying Boiron Oscillo coccinum keting this ineffective product im- pathic “flu medicine,” through its based on these assurances. mediately. website, www.walmart.com. Wal - Walmart’s assurances regarding mart’s website states that the prod- Boiron Oscillococcinum, however, are Signatories from the Scientific and uct, manufactured by Boiron, is to be false and irresponsible. Boiron Oscil - Medical Community used “for flu-like symptoms.” lo coccinum is ineffective against the KIMBALL C. ATWOOD IV, MD The website further states that flu and flu symptoms. Homeo pathic Assistant Clinical Professor, Tufts the product’s alleged active ingredi- oscillococcinum solutions were first University School of Medicine TEPHEN ARRETT ent, Anas Barbariae Hepatis Et produced in the early 20th century on S B , MD Psychiatrist; Author; Consumer the mistaken as sumption that they Cordis Extractum 200CK Hpus, is Advocate used “to Reduce The Duration and contained “oscillococci,” microscopic WILLEM BETZ, MD Severity of Flu Symptoms,” and bacteria that proved to be imaginary. Professor Emeritus of Medicine, features an image of the product’s The al legedly active ingredient of Bo- University of Brussels VUB; package, which indicates that the iron’s Oscillo coccinum consists of Chair, Medicine Branch, European product “Reduces [the] Duration mere liquefied duck liver and duck Council of Skeptical Organisations and Severity of Flu Symptoms,” in- heart, substances that were thought to EDZARD ERNST, MD, PhD, FMed Sci, cluding “Fever, Chills, Body Aches contain the nonexistent bacteria. FSB, FRCP, FRCP (Edin.) and Pains.” More over, manufacturing a “200 CK” Laing Chair in Complementary Walmart’s misleading promotion homeopathic preparation re quires re- Medicine, Peninsula Medical of this “homeopathic medicine” as a peatedly diluting the “active ingredi- School, Universities of Exeter and treatment for flu is not limited to the ent” in water until the odds that the Plymouth DAVID H. GORSKI, MD, PhD, FACS webpage on which the product is solution contains even a single mole- Managing Editor, Science-Based displayed. Consumers will reach this cule of it are effectively zero. Medicine blog; Leader, Breast Can- page only after visiting Wal mart’s There is no credible scientific ev- cer Multi disciplinary Team, Barbara “Medicine Cabinet” page, which as- idence to support the effectiveness of Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute sures customers that the products Boiron Oscillococcinum’s “200CK” , MD Walmart carries will “fight colds and homeopathic preparation beyond Physician (ret.); Writer the flu.” From there, website visitors what is expected from the placebo , MD will navigate to the “Cough, Colds & effect. Assistant Professor of Neurology, Flu Well ness Shop” page, which The Committee for Skeptical In- Yale University School of Medicine promises to help the customer “stay quiry and the Center for Inquiry VENKI RAMAKRISHNAN, PhD on top of cold and flu season by wrote to Walmart in November Nobel Laureate (Chemistry, 2009); learning about products that can help 2010 regarding its inaccurate and Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine you and your family stay well, relieve misleading marketing of Boiron (2007) ALLACE AMPSON symptoms and recover fast.” In its Oscillo coccinum. To date Walmart W S , MD Clinical Professor, Emeritus of “Cough, Cold, and Flu Buying has neither issued a response to nor Medicine, Stanford University; Guide,” Wal mart asserts that its ac knowledged receipt of CSI and Former Editor-in-Chief, Scientific products will provide the customer CFI’s letter. Because Walmart has Review of Alternative Medicine “with everything you and your family misled consumers about the prod- SIMON SINGH, PhD, MBE need for battling a cold or the flu.” uct’s effectiveness and ignored pri- Author; Critic; Television Director In short, Walmart’s entire website vate pleadings to correct the situa- and Producer is replete with assurances that the tion, we are compelled to speak

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Physicist Disputes ‘Quantum Mind’ anybody seriously thinks the jug of in Debate Hosted by Deepak Chopra water on this table is dependent on Diana Lutz you or dependent on me.” Chopra: “I think the shape of the jug, the color and texture depends on the nervous system. A different nerv- Physicist Mark Alford spent a January Sciences at Columbia University. ous system would perceive it totally day on Manhattan’s Upper East Side Alford, a theoretical physicist who differently. A honeybee would not discussing the nature of reality at the studies quark matter, was invited be cause experience [the same] jug. A bat modern equivalent of an Enlighten - he had previously defended a position would experience that as the echo of ment salon. that severely limits the metaphysical im- ultrasound. A chameleon’s eyeballs Alford participated in a roundtable plications of physics. In an article in about the quantum mind: the idea that Foundations of Physics in 2006, he as- swivel on two different axes. I can’t quantum mechanical phenomena, such serted that physics can “only cover lim- even remotely imagine what that as quantum entanglement and super- ited aspects of our experience.” would look like to a chameleon. So position, may form the basis of an ex- Alford questioned the idea of quan- does that jug exist as a jug by itself?” planation of consciousness. Alford is tum mind, explaining that quantum en- Alford: “Yes.” professor of physics at Washington tanglement is “usually very delicate” and Chopra: “Matter is an illusion University in St. Louis. “difficult to arrange.” Physicists struggle and only consciousness is real.” Deepak Chopra, an endocrinologist to entangle even a few particles for any Later in the debate, Alford offered who publishes self-help books on New some common ground: “I’m quite sym- Age spirituality and alternative medi- pathetic to the idea of constructing these cine, moderated. The salon was held at sorts of patterns of ideas that you’re talk- the Philoctetes Center for the Multi - ing about. I just think that you don’t need disciplinary Study of the Imagina tion. to—as I would think of it—con taminate The Philoctetes Center brings together them with stuff from science like quan- scientists, artists, and scholars for tum mechanics,” he said. roundtable discussions in an attempt to Quantum mechanics is early twenty- bridge the separation between the first-century physics, Alford said, and worlds of science and the humanities. may one day be discarded, like the late- Among the discussants was Stuart nineteenth-century notion that light Hameroff, professor of anesthesiology Deepak Chopra Mark Alford travels through a medium called the lu- and psychology and director of the miniferous aether. Center for Consciousness Studies at substantial period of time. It seems im- the University of Arizona. Together probable, he said, that “these very deli- “If you rely too much on the current with British physicist Roger Penrose, cate processes are the crucial feature of scientific paradigm, wait a hundred Hameroff espouses the idea that per- the functioning of the human brain,” years—it’s been replaced,” Alford said. ception and consciousness arise from which is “not a suitable environment” “So I don’t think you want to be using the collapse of the wave function of a for quantum subtlety. [quantum mechanics] as a foundation. Bose-Einstein condensate of quantum- “It’s more likely,” he said, “that con- You can use it as inspiration, you can entangled electrons in the brain. sciousness arises from other, more con- use it in various ways, but I don’t think This happens, Hameroff claims, forty ventional bits of science, and you don’t you want to actually build on it like it’s times per second—or, in the case of Ti- need to reach all the way to this, the a foundation.” betan monks trained in meditation, most exotic, the most delicate, the most Chopra, the mystic, had begun the eighty times per second—so the per- bizarre bit of modern physics. You don’t debate by saying he wanted “to home in ceived world slows down as if perception need to reach all that way.” on the limitations of science.” In the were a movie filmed at a higher-than- As the discussion got underway, it end it was Alford, the scientist, who normal frame rate. became evident that Chopra was inter- emphasized those limitations, asking The guests at the roundtable also in- ested in pushing the boundaries of Al- that science be understood in a humble cluded Menas Kafatos, professor of ford’s pragmatism. way and not as the key that unlocks the computational physics at Chapman Chopra to Alford: “Is there an door to the “ultimate” reality. University in California, and Stuart observer-independent reality, in your Fire stein, professor of neurobiology and opinion?” Diana Lutz is senior science editor at Wash - chair of the Department of Bio logical Alford: “Yes, I don’t think that ington University in St. Louis.

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[ NEWS AND COMMENT

The Wizards of TAMOz

One thing that will definitely go down up in the dozens to attend dinners in history about The Amazing Meet ing hosted by their podcast heroes and Australia (TAMOz), held in Sydney, groupie-gazing during the impromptu New South Wales, November 26–28, karaoke sessions at the nearby Mal- 2010, is the most unusual choice of oney’s Hotel. This was certainly not the venue. Infamous Australian radio deejay same milieu of previous conventions in Maynard Crabbes and I puzzled over the other cities, and it seemed as if the rep- strange items that dotted the gold-and- utation and fun atmosphere of the Las cream Sydney Masonic Center’s Grand Vegas Amazing Meet ing (SI, Novem- Lodge conference room.Were the pair of ber/December 2010) transplanted giant chairs really part of some elaborate nicely into a Sydney setting. ritual designed to worship the gods of But it was the sessions that captured geometry? And if so, should we rework the imaginations, minds, and hearts of Maynard’s tinfoil hat into a more suitably even the most curmudgeonly skeptics equilateral shape before his guest appear- among us. Paleontologist Paul Willis, a ance on the main stage? reporter on Australian ABC television’s A sense of humor was mandatory for Catalyst and the inspired choice for James “The Amazing” Randi this event, considering the lively atmos- master of ceremonies, roused the crowd phere and traditional Australian conge- with his cheerful and cheeky introduc- niality. With an expected attendance of tions and announcements; podcaster 600 people and a generously mixed reveled in the fact that Members of the lineup of local and international skeptics, Masonic emblems were visible while he generation of journalists, entertainers, and scientists was photographed during his discus- skeptics more apt to (including self-described “sleek geek” sion on mysterious sounds. The Skeptics’ Karl Kruszelnicki, philanthropist Dick Guide to the Universe podcasters and create blog posts than Smith, physical anthropologist Eugenie joined forces to create an reminisce about Don C. Scott, and U.K. author Simon Singh), im promptu quiz after some presenta- tickets were sold out online within days tion no-shows, and Pamela Gay and Lane’s attack on James of becoming available. Coinciding with Fred Watson each presented inspira- Randi in the 1980s were the event were a number of “fringe” tional lectures on astronomy, particu- events, including the Bloggers Breakfast, larly emphasizing a humility and won- signing up in the dozens the Skepticator Open-Mic night, and a der that we can all share. to attend dinners hosted number of pub gatherings and meet-ups. Dick Smith and dis- by their podcast heroes This was the first year that an cussed the ever-popular Carlos hoax Amazing Meeting was held in Aus- and their collective effort to discourage and groupie-gazing tralia; usually the Australian Skep tics’ water-divining in the media. Award- during the impromptu annual gathering is the Australian winner Loretta Marron of the web site Skeptics Convention, which rotates be- www.healthinformation.com.au dis- karaoke sessions at the tween major Austral ian cities, mostly cussed her never-ending fight against nearby Maloney’s Hotel. on the East coast. This year the variety and health fraud in Aus- of presentations was significantly ex- tralia. Krissy Wilson repeated her en- panded due to the inclusion of interna- gaging lecture from the Australian tional guests and a distinctly younger Skeptics convention in Brisbane last demographic in both presenters and at- year, in cluding a summary on popular which was equal to any or tendees—which was very much re- beliefs and odd practices. show. flected in the social and online activity Science communicator Karl Krus zel- Bestsellers at the Embiggen book- during the weekend. nicki’s scattershot approach to science store stand included Carl Sagan’s The Members of the generation of skep- facts and fictions and Rob Mor rison’s Demon-Haunted World; The Australian tics more apt to create blog posts than dazzling visual illusions made for a Book of , edited by Warren reminisce about Don Lane’s attack on breathtaking ride from start to finish on Bonett; the ever-popular Flim-Flam by James Randi in the 1980s were signing the topic of deceptions and perceptions, James Randi (who was mobbed for sig-

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[ NEWS AND COMMENT

natures at regular intervals); and Simon Singh’s Trick Or Treatment?—a book that he admitted wasn’t a bestseller in comparison to some of his other books, but it was certainly snapped up by at- tendees after his gripping presentation on the British Asso cia tion case from 2008. A pertinent panel, “Entertain ment and ,” featured James Randi expounding on the power of connecting with an audience and an impassioned and memorable walk-out by mentalist and magician Simon Taylor, who urged us not to look down at others based on their approach to thinking and to factor in emotion and empathy when we com- municate. Evidence-based medicine Members of Stop the Australian Vaccination Network show off their 2010 Skeptic of the Year Award certificates. workshops; education, activism, and skepticism panels; and discussions about skepticism and the law were all very well attended—some even attracting stand- ing-room-only crowds. There was a rousing -broad- cast quiz that pitted the audience against a panel of overseas podcasters, eliciting some hilarious (and unprint- able) results. Paul Willis shredded a duck in the name of science to demonstrate the evolutionary traits, including the unique fourth trochanter, found in both birds and dinosaurs. A lengthy “ Predictions of 2010” session led us through a number of events that never seemed to appear in any ’ pub- lications. Pamela Gay gives an inspirational lecture on astronomy. Some of the more memorable dis- cussions I had were with the energetic people from the Young Australian Skep- tics podcast, who worked hard to pro- mote not only their show but the activ- ities of Freethought University Alliance groups across the country. With their keen questioning of current leaders in skepticism such as Eugenie C. Scott and Simon Singh, they very much rep- resented the spirit of the new and up- coming skeptical figures. Interest in outreach, activism, and ongoing education is familiar for those who attend skeptical conferences, but the emphasis on local activism at TAMOz was particularly pertinent to the mostly Conference participants include (from left to right) Bob Novella, Jay Novella, Steven Novella, Evan Bernstein, Australian attendees. The 2010 Skeptic and George Hrab. of the Year Award was unanimously

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approved when it was presented to mem- up by the chair-entity of the New conclusion on their own. bers of Stop the Austral ian Vaccination Zealand Skeptics, Gold (he doesn’t have I for one sincerely hope that this Network (SAVN). Ken McLeod, Wendy a first name): kind of questioning, concerned feed- Wil kin son, and Daniel Raffaele accepted The entire event was a fantastic ex- back, and positive thinking—and the the certificates on behalf of about 2,000 perience. If I had to pick one event it inspirations gained from it—will con- activists who continually watchdog the would have been when I realized I tinue on into forthcoming Australian activities of one of the major anti-vacci- was having lunch with Dr. Pamela Gay. Her talk was also the one that I Skeptics Conven tions, whether or not nation groups in Australia . Let’s hope got the best message from: the idea they are also “Amazing.” this dedication will encourage other that we, as skeptics, have a habit of skeptics to tackle similar anti-science or- taking things away from the true be- Kylie Sturgess is an Australian educator and ganizations nationwide in their various lievers when we point out facts and podcaster on the Token Skeptic. Her interview that it would be more constructive to with Stephen Fry appeared in the January/ guises and permutations. make them question their own posi- Febru ary 2010 SKEPTICAL INQUIRER. E-mail: pod Winding up the weekend, I would tion instead. Plant that seed to get say that the experience was best summed them thinking and come to a rational [email protected]. Skeptical App A Third of Russians Launched on iTunes Say Sun Revolves around Earth

Let’s say you’re in the middle of a skeptical debate Does the sun revolve around the earth? or discussion and you need well-researched skep- About one-third of Russians appear to be- tical information right away. Maybe you can’t re- lieve so, according to a new survey con- member who dreamed up or what ducted by the Russian Center of Public year Kenneth Arnold saw his famous “flying Opinion Research and reported by Agence saucer.” There’s a new way for skeptics to get their France-Press. quick skeptfix: The Skeptic’s Dictionary app is now available from iTunes. The Thirty-two percent of Russians reject a app, developed by David Knobel, easily allows access to the core terms listed sun-centered solar system, four percentage on the contents page of The Skeptic’s Dictionary website. You can scroll the points more than in 2007 when a similar contents list from A to Z or search directly for a name or term from among survey was conducted by the same center. more than 700 items. Internet access on your mobile device is required to The new survey also found 55 percent of view the articles. Russians believe that radioactivity is a Robert Carroll, author of The Skeptic’s Dictionary book and website, human invention. Twenty-nine percent be- touts the app as “your one-stop source for information on weird beliefs lieve humans lived in the era of dinosaurs. It and the critical thinking skills needed to understand and combat them. It also found that women are more likely than is also chock-full of references should you wish to do more research on a men to believe scientific superstitions. topic. The content covers alternative medicine, , extraterres- The survey, which highlighted scientific trials and UFOs, frauds and hoaxes, junk science, logic and perception, superstitions among Russians, was con- , and all things psychic and .” The app, which ducted in January 2011 among 1,600 people is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, requires iOS 3.2 or later. in different regions, with a 3.4 percent mar- gin of error. Americans should hardly be smug. The 2010 Science and Engineering Indi cators study (National Science Board) reports that in 2008 only 58 percent of males and 44 per- cent of females correctly answered the Earth-around-Sun question. (Those num- bers were six and two percentage points worse, respectively, than in a similar survey in 2006). On the radioactivity question, Amer - icans did better than the Rus sians. In 2008 74 percent of American men and 67 per- cent of American women correctly an- swered “false” to the statement “All ra- dioactivity is man-made.” n

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