Skeptic

Skeptic Substack explores various topics through a scientific and rational lens, focusing on debunking myths, analyzing moral and ethical dilemmas, and critiquing religious beliefs alongside socio-political issues. It emphasizes evidence-based reasoning, skepticism towards unfounded claims, and the value of humanistic principles for societal progress.

Atheism and Religion Moral and Ethical Issues Science and Skepticism Health and Public Safety Sociopolitical Analysis Psychology and Human Behavior Historical Events and Perspectives Conspiracy Theories

The hottest Substack posts of Skeptic

And their main takeaways

Wokeness Poisons Science

158 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🔬 Science Scientific Method Education Research Ethics Gender Studies Cultural critique
  1. Wokeness is changing how science is done, affecting hiring practices and funding by introducing criteria based on identity rather than merit. This can lead to important scientific work being overlooked if it doesn't align with social justice agendas.
  2. The focus on equality of outcomes instead of opportunities can create flawed policies. It assumes that any inequality in outcomes is solely due to discrimination, ignoring factors like personal choice, abilities, and luck.
  3. Academia is experiencing a shift where free speech and diverse viewpoints are increasingly suppressed. Criticism of woke ideology can lead to severe backlash and censorship, stifling honest discussions in scientific fields.

Extraterrestrial Governance

42 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Governance Ethics Human nature Society Exploration
  1. As we start living on other planets, we need to figure out how to govern ourselves there. This means thinking about the best way to make decisions and keep everyone safe.
  2. Direct democracy sounds good for a small group, but as the population grows, we might need more rules and systems to handle conflicts. Balancing freedom and order will be a big challenge.
  3. We can learn from Earth's history and societies to create better systems on other planets. Sharing resources, cooperating, and having good leadership are crucial for survival and success.

Why I Am No Longer Woke

203 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social justice Political Ideologies Civil Rights Political Movements Human nature
  1. The idea of being 'woke' started as a way to be aware of social injustices, but it has now become a term used to criticize extreme leftist ideologies. People who once identified with the woke movement may feel disconnected from it due to its transformation into something else.
  2. A key issue with the woke movement is its belief that humans are a 'blank slate.' This means that it assumes all inequalities stem from social discrimination rather than differences in abilities or personal responsibility.
  3. Many moderate thinkers believe in a 'Realistic Vision' of human nature, which acknowledges that people vary in abilities and that social systems should take these differences into account rather than trying to enforce equal outcomes.

Luigi Mangione, Unabomber Redux

61 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues
  1. Luigi Mangione, the suspect arrested for killing the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, seems to have been influenced by the ideas of Ted Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber.
  2. Mangione expressed anger towards the healthcare system, claiming it is corrupt and that drastic actions were necessary to highlight these problems.
  3. His beliefs echo a dangerous perspective that violence could be a justified response to societal issues, which raises concerns about how some people interpret and act on such ideas.

The Great Drone Panic of 2024...and 1914

46 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
💾 History UFOs Geopolitics Media influence
  1. The recent drone sightings in New Jersey have sparked fear and anxiety, similar to events from a hundred years ago during WWI. People often see threats in the sky, influenced by their current worries.
  2. Eyewitness accounts of these drones can be unreliable, with some reports mistaking small aircraft for larger drones. Our perception can often be skewed by our fears and what we expect to see.
  3. These panics tend to spread quickly through social media and news, echoing past fears about foreign spying and technology. History shows that such mass reactions often resurface over time.
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Science and Spirituality

33 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Science Philosophy Meaning
  1. Science can lead to a deeper sense of spirituality. By understanding the universe, we can find meaning and connection beyond ourselves.
  2. Your personal experiences at places like Esalen can offer unique perspectives on life and spirituality. Sharing thoughts in informal settings can deepen understanding.
  3. Both science and spirituality can evoke awe. Whether through cosmic discoveries or personal beliefs, these feelings remind us how small we are in the grand scheme of things.

Postmortem 2024

95 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Campaigns Policy Analysis Political Commentary Political strategy
  1. The 2024 election saw Trump winning decisively, and it's important to note that it wasn't just about Harris losing, but Trump running a strong campaign.
  2. Harris should have better addressed key issues like crime, economics, and immigration and connected more with voters by engaging in important discussions on platforms like podcasts.
  3. Looking ahead, while many may feel upset about the results, it's crucial to remain optimistic about the future and know that political power can shift back to Democrats in upcoming elections.

The Most Important Election of My Lifetime…Again

101 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political Divides Political Rhetoric Political History Political Commentary
  1. Many people think each election is the most important one ever. But in reality, life goes on regardless of who wins, and drastic changes often don't happen.
  2. Both sides of the political spectrum have made wild claims about leaving the country if their candidate loses. Most of these statements are just empty threats and not meant to be taken seriously.
  3. It’s important to remember that people from the other party aren't enemies; they are fellow Americans. We can disagree but still work together for a better future.

Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds, Redux—WPATH Edition

149 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Mental health Medical Ethics Gender Dysphoria
  1. The text discusses various historical instances of mass delusions and societal crazes, pointing out the trend of people collectively falling for false beliefs and slowly recovering from them.
  2. The article highlights the rise of the trans movement and issues like Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria, shedding light on concerns about medical ethics, pseudoscientific practices, and potential harm to vulnerable individuals.
  3. There is a critique of WPATH's approach to transgender healthcare, questioning the lack of evidence-based practices, informed consent, and the push for invasive treatments without appropriate consideration for the patients' well-being.

Death by Theory

89 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Therapies Pseudoscience
  1. Pseudoscientific beliefs can have dangerous consequences in medical care decisions, like those seen in transgender care and attachment therapy.
  2. Many psychological theories throughout history have been debunked as quackery, highlighting the importance of critical thinking and evidence-based practices in the field.
  3. The tragic case of Candace Newmaker serves as a reminder of the risks of pseudoscientific practices in therapy and the critical need for ethical, evidence-based psychological interventions.

Horseshoe Politics

85 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Authoritarianism Abortion Political Spectrum Classical Liberalism Presidential Election
  1. The extreme ends of the political spectrum, whether far right or far left, can exhibit authoritarian tendencies, showing similarities rather than vast differences.
  2. The Horseshoe Theory suggests that the political spectrum can be likened to a horseshoe shape, indicating that extreme ideologies may not be as distant as commonly thought.
  3. Classical Liberalism is presented as a balanced approach, incorporating elements from both liberals and conservatives, advocating for individual rights, democracy, free speech, and critical thinking.

Psychling

52 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Cycling Endurance Racing Competition History
  1. The unfolding of life is influenced by a mix of genes, environment, and unexpected contingencies like chance events.
  2. Small decisions and chance occurrences can have significant impacts on the course of one's life.
  3. Personal narratives often present unpredictable events as rare, but in reality, contingency is a powerful force shaping our lives.

Ancient Aliens, Easter Island, and Truth

46 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🔬 Science Archaeology Skepticism Debate
  1. Reason and science should take precedence over fantasy and entertainment for a safer society.
  2. Skepticism and critical analysis are important in evaluating claims about ancient civilizations and extraterrestrial theories.
  3. Engaging in open conversation, dialogue, and debate can help in seeking the truth and understanding different perspectives.

Why the Jews?

59 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Psychology Beliefs Extremism Ideology
  1. Anti-Semitism and xenophobia may stem from a need for enemies.
  2. Political extremists hold absolute certainty in their beliefs and exhibit open hatred towards opponents.
  3. The psychology of belief systems shows the importance of having enemies to define causes and create unity.

There's a UFO in My Garage

61 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🔬 Science Extraterrestrial Life Skepticism UFOs Evidence
  1. The public frenzy over UFOs and UAPs is increasing due to recent congressional hearings.
  2. It's important to approach extraordinary claims with skepticism and demand evidence for beliefs in aliens or UFOs.
  3. Being open-minded but skeptical is key when evaluating claims about extraterrestrial intelligence and UFO sightings.

The Truth about 9/11 Truth

47 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conspiracy Theories Debunking
  1. People believe in conspiracy theories for different reasons such as thinking it's better to believe a false positive than a false negative.
  2. Evidence and arguments are important when engaging with conspiracy theorists to counter their claims.
  3. Critically analyzing the events of 9/11, like the collapse of the World Trade Center buildings, can debunk common conspiracy theories.

The Bomb, the Man, the Morality

49 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture History Politics Film War
  1. Christopher Nolan's film 'Oppenheimer' renews debate on the use of nuclear weapons to end World War II and the nature of moral conflicts.
  2. Human conditions are rarely black-and-white, and approach-avoidance conflicts are common in life, culture, and politics.
  3. The dropping of the atomic bombs, while not a moral act, was the least destructive option at the time and likely saved lives by ending the war and preventing a potentially higher death toll from prolonged conventional bombing or invasion.

How To Think About the Resurrection

39 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Beliefs Philosophy Debate Mythology
  1. The resurrection of Jesus is a claim of an empirical objective truth believed by many, but requires extraordinary evidence for belief.
  2. Historical context and lack of independent corroboration cast doubt on the resurrection miracle claim.
  3. Applying principles like proportionality and Bayesian reasoning can help in assessing the likelihood of extraordinary claims like the resurrection.