Comments on: New Skeptologists trailer http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/04/22/new-skeptologists-trailer/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 02:31:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Irishman http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/04/22/new-skeptologists-trailer/#comment-83928 Irishman Fri, 25 Apr 2008 03:19:08 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/04/22/new-skeptologists-trailer/#comment-83928 Okay, watched the new promo. It certainly is better than the first one. The bottle with the block on it was a complete mystery what was trying to be demonstrated, and the "Do you believe?" question and rebuttal was a non-sequitor. This promo did a better job of showing something about the content, and the motivations and interests of the people involved. However, I still don't like the name. Why not call yourselves, the Skeptonomists? Skepterologists? Skeptinators? Skepticists? I think any of the following would be better names: The Skeptic Squad De-mystifiers Rational Review And I'm pretty bad at creative names. Actually, 3 names I like but are already taken: Exploring the Unknown Is It Real? The Real World Okay, watched the new promo. It certainly is better than the first one. The bottle with the block on it was a complete mystery what was trying to be demonstrated, and the “Do you believe?” question and rebuttal was a non-sequitor.

This promo did a better job of showing something about the content, and the motivations and interests of the people involved.

However, I still don’t like the name. Why not call yourselves, the Skeptonomists? Skepterologists? Skeptinators? Skepticists?

I think any of the following would be better names:
The Skeptic Squad
De-mystifiers
Rational Review

And I’m pretty bad at creative names.

Actually, 3 names I like but are already taken:
Exploring the Unknown
Is It Real?
The Real World

]]> By: themadlolscientist http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/04/22/new-skeptologists-trailer/#comment-83927 themadlolscientist Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:59:55 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/04/22/new-skeptologists-trailer/#comment-83927 Smash Lab. PFTHTHTHFFFBBBBTHTHLBTHT. The thing that got me off on the wrong foot from the very beginning was the woman scientist's big clunky jewelry and loose hair hanging around just waiting to get caught in something. BOGUUUUUUS! It reminded me of the couple of years I spent as a teaching assistant for an undergrad lab course. I was constantly getting after my long-haired students to GET THAT HAIR OUT OF THE WAY! ARE YOU NUTS? DO YOU WANT IT TO CATCH FIRE? DO YOU WANT A BUNCH OF IT, NOT TO MENTION A PIECE OF YOUR SCALP, RIPPED OUT? Immediate turnoff. I think I watched a total of 3 episodes after that. Between the ongoing hair problem, the questionable design and execution of the tests, and the noncohesiveness of the show itself..... well..... :-P Smash Lab. PFTHTHTHFFFBBBBTHTHLBTHT.

The thing that got me off on the wrong foot from the very beginning was the woman scientist’s big clunky jewelry and loose hair hanging around just waiting to get caught in something. BOGUUUUUUS! It reminded me of the couple of years I spent as a teaching assistant for an undergrad lab course. I was constantly getting after my long-haired students to GET THAT HAIR OUT OF THE WAY! ARE YOU NUTS? DO YOU WANT IT TO CATCH FIRE? DO YOU WANT A BUNCH OF IT, NOT TO MENTION A PIECE OF YOUR SCALP, RIPPED OUT? Immediate turnoff.

I think I watched a total of 3 episodes after that. Between the ongoing hair problem, the questionable design and execution of the tests, and the noncohesiveness of the show itself….. well….. :-P

]]> By: CarrieP http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/04/22/new-skeptologists-trailer/#comment-83926 CarrieP Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:48:52 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/04/22/new-skeptologists-trailer/#comment-83926 www.whatstheharm.net - a comprehensive list of people that have been hurt or killed by psudeoscience. Love the trailer. Absolutely love it. www.whatstheharm.net - a comprehensive list of people that have been hurt or killed by psudeoscience.

Love the trailer. Absolutely love it.

]]> By: Nemo http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/04/22/new-skeptologists-trailer/#comment-83925 Nemo Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:37:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/04/22/new-skeptologists-trailer/#comment-83925 Or relying on "alternative" medical treatment, or the power of prayer, in place of the real thing. Or etc., etc... Or relying on “alternative” medical treatment, or the power of prayer, in place of the real thing. Or etc., etc…

]]> By: Harold http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/04/22/new-skeptologists-trailer/#comment-83924 Harold Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:18:46 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/04/22/new-skeptologists-trailer/#comment-83924 I don't what to put words in Phil's mouth, but I think the reference to people dying probably has something to do with people deciding not to get their children vaccinated because they fear a vaccination/autism connection. Kids can and will and die because of this. I don’t what to put words in Phil’s mouth, but I think the reference to people dying probably has something to do with people deciding not to get their children vaccinated because they fear a vaccination/autism connection. Kids can and will and die because of this.

]]> By: mapuser http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/04/22/new-skeptologists-trailer/#comment-83923 mapuser Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:04:05 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/04/22/new-skeptologists-trailer/#comment-83923 We already have "The UFO Hunters". Aren't they enough? (sigh) We already have “The UFO Hunters”. Aren’t they enough? (sigh)

]]> By: fos http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/04/22/new-skeptologists-trailer/#comment-83922 fos Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:35:18 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/04/22/new-skeptologists-trailer/#comment-83922 I can't wait! It should be one of the best shows on TV! (One of the few worth watching!) fos I can’t wait! It should be one of the best shows on TV! (One of the few worth watching!)

fos

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