From America.gov: "Conspiracy Theories and Misinformation"

Conspiracy Theories and Misinformation, from America.gov. It's deeply, darkly, insidious and yet it's also comedic in a "You don't really buy into this?" kind of way.

Conspiracy theories exist in the realm of myth, where imaginations run wild, fears trump facts, and evidence is ignored. As a superpower, the United States is often cast as a villain in these dramas.

You can check out the "truth" about such things as: 9/11, Health, Military, Latin America, Outer Space. Not much space is given to any of these topics, just a paragraph or two that tells you, everything is all right, you see, people just naturally don't understand and are anxious:

in the 20th century, aliens in “flying saucers“ became a focus of fears and anxiety, ... We project onto imaginary aliens some of our deepest fears ... we could be victimized, enslaved or exterminated by a technologically superior civilization. .. imaginary aliens represent the ultimate unknowable, feared “other.”

Interesting how they've chosen to frame UFOs, aliens and humanity in a fear based context.

JREF Message Board: Glitch After All

As I thought; all is back up now.

JREF Message Board: A Glitch Or A Ban?

Hmmm, since last night, I have been unable to read any of the sections on the James Randi Educational Forum (JREF) message boards. Clicking on the link to "enter forum" takes me to . . . a blank page. As of this posting, it is still happening.

I found this over there, which has been up since 2006:

href="http://www.randi.org/forum/">The JREF is subject to much "spamming" from the homeopathic community, strange mystics, and others. As a result, we have had to limit access to this message board. Create new subjects for discussion, if you wish. Thanks for your interest and participation! -Randi


Everyone is able to read the forum topics. However, in order to post, you will need to register. Simply click on the "register" link and follow the instructions. An administrator will review all registrants for authorization. Be sure to read the rules of conduct when registering.

With "click here to enter forum"  links above and below.

But clicking on those links just takes me to a blank page.

So we'll have to wait and see if this is just a glitch, they're doing maintenance or what.

Skeptopia Blog "Why I'll Never Return to JREF Forum..."

Found this on the Skeptopia blog. Make no mistake, this is a skeptic blogger all the way, she just has some interesting things to say about a specific issue involving female skeptics and bordellos. That got your attention, didn't it?

Comment on Journey Into Woo Land

 I see over on the JREF Mr. Lancaster posted about my blog here. He's states he tried to leave a comment but couldn't, don't know why it didn't work. He posted on the JREF what he would have left here, and since I'm a kindly kind of dame, I'm posting it on Snarly Skepticism:

Regan:


Hello, Robert Lancaster here again.


First, there are no plans for any "forthcoming book on evil mediums." I have been encouraged - on the JREF forum and elsewhere - to write a book on the experiences I've had while writing my "Stop" sites. And - who knows - perhaps some day I will. But I currently have no plans to do so, so for you to state that what I do is "to sell a forthcoming book" is simply incorrect.

I said "that was me, not him" didn't I? Why yes I did:

"...which seems to be, aside from the pathological journey itself -- to sell a forthcoming book on evil mediums. Okay, he didn't say that, I did."

Is what I do "pathological, obsessive, authoritarian, arrogant, fanatical and zealous"?

Why yes, yes it is. Didn't I also say that like a ga-zillion times?  Goodness.

I'll cop to charges of being zealous. there's no denying that. And even my own wife - my greatest supporter in my "Stop" endeavors - has called me "obsessed" on the subject.


But couldn't all of these descriptions also apply to someone who maintains a website about "snarly skepticism" and keeps an "unofficial watch" on the JREF?

Ah, but see, I have plenty of other interests that keep me busy as well, ... but it's clear that Mr. Lancaster and others on the ol' JREF are faaaaaarrrrr more industrious in their zeal than I could ever hope to be.

It's painfully easy to use those words to describe someone who disagrees with you on something evidently important to you. I notice you do not argue with anything I say about Browne, but instead make light of it. Why is that?

Maybe because I find the whole thing hysterical and not worth the "let's play with the woo" game you like to play. It's not about Browne, or JVP, or any of the other mediums or woos on your list - - it's about the uber-skeptoid mind set.

Journey Into Woo Land

Well, Lancaster left a comment here on the previous post, explaining defending his actions. One point I'll update; I said JVP coming to Oregon was too much for him to bear, which, is still clearly the case, but that's not what got him going after JVP. According to his comments, he went after JVP as he does the other psychics, mediums, etc. he goes after -- which seems to be, aside from the pathological journey itself -- to sell a forthcoming book on evil mediums. Okay, he didn't say that, I did. He has several "Stop so and so" sites in the making, this is his thing, and JVP is one among many.

The point is, dahlings, that anytime a skeptic goes into woo territory the skeptics deny anything pathological, obsessive, authoritarian, arrogant, fanatical, zealous, . . . I will acknowledge that Lancaster seemed to have presented himself openly and honestly in his journeys into woo-land, stating to the woo his intentions. . . that aside, good golly great mother goddess, the entire thing reeks of crazy. Anytime you have several threads devoted to the minutia of woo-world, get up .com websites with tabloid banners screaming STOP whatever, and hyperbolic writings on why woo is harmful, then yes Virginia, there is an "uber" skeptoid label to be bestowed.

All that work, all that energy, all those words, wasted on someone's personal obsession, while all around us the world is going to hell. Which is more tragic, that, or JVP?

JREF Bashes JVP

R.S. Lancaster, a popular uber-skeptoid on the JREF, started the "Stop Sylvia Browne" movement some time ago. That was some project on Lancaster's part; lots of threads and posts about the neccessity of stopping Browne for the good of humanity; he even started a website devoted to his hatred of Browne: StopSylviaBrowne.com

For whatever reason, boredom, greener skeptic pastures, who knows, Lancaster has now put his energies into stopping medium James Van Praagh.

What started this all was the news that JVP was to appear in Grants Pass, Oregon on June 25th.  I was startled to find that such a rabid skeptoid lives not far from me! Apparently Lancaster lives around the Salem area and can't tolerate a woo visiting his state spreading that woo that he do.

Lancaster writes letters and joins the JVP message forum, back and forths ensue, you know, the usual non-productive fanatic skeptic in your face routine. What's scary about all this isn't the expected skeptoid response to a medium, or even a few attempts at engaging the woo of the day in "debate," and so on. No, it's not that, it's the incredible depth of the ... what do we call this? Obsession, certainly, stalking? Harassing? Investigation? Whatever it all is, it's very intense. It's creepy and pathological.

There are several separate threads, or "chapters" devoted to Lancaster's attacks on JVP. I think this is all of them but there might be others, but in any case, you get the idea:
StopJVP - RSL in JVPLand - All Chapters?
StopJVP - RSL in JVPLand - Chapter 2: Q&A
StopJVP - RSL In JVPLand - Chapter 6: Grant's Pass?
StopJVP - RSL In JVPLand - Chapter 7b: Pink Panther Answer?
StopJVP: RSL in JVPLand - Chapter 5: The Two Jameses
StopJVP - RSL in JVPLand - Chapter 8: Epilogue 

In the last thread ("Chapter 8: Epilogue") Lancaster comments how, after spending weeks on pro JVP message boards, exchanging emails and posts with JVP, he's ready to wrap up. Part of this summation includes the StopJamesVanPraagh website:

"I know that when I open StopJamesVanPraagh.com it will upset many of them, and that saddens me - but not enough to keep me from going ahead with it. 

In a delisicious moment of irony, of kettle calling pot black, of point! zoom! right over your head!, of sigh, this just sums it all up doesn't it, Lancaster posts, on the JREF:

One of them [poster on JVP message forum] posted in one of my threads "I can't help but notice that you show such PRIDE when you use the word "skeptic."

I guess that I do. It's an odd concept to them, since, more often than not, the word "skeptic" to them has meant "insufferable know-it-all jerk." I'd like to think that I showed some of them that "skeptic" can sometimes mean something else, but perhaps, with my "Pink Panther" question, I just confirmed their earlier definition!

John Cleese: The Scientists

I love this! I'm a huge John Cleese as well as Monty Python fan, so it was great to find this posted on UFO Mystic, thanks to Greg Bishop. Go there to read what Greg says about this: All You Need to Know.

JREF Bigfoot Threads: Easy Handy Dandy Link

Here's a handy link that takes you right to the JREF's list of Bigfoot threads. There are pages of links; I stopped counting after 70 threads. There are waaaaaaay over 70 threads. About a creature that, according to I'd say 98% of posters there, don't believe exists.