New podcast attempting a different point of view
A new podcast has gone into production entitled Skeptical Connections hosted by Marc David Barnhill. Yes, I know, another skeptical podcast? What can another skeptical podcast offer that isn’t already being done or covered by other skeptical podcasts. I must admit even at the Skeptical Review, I am overwhelmed with the amount material that is being produced in skepdom.
SC opens with Barnhill explaining the tact of this show is exploring skepticism and skeptical thought in broader contexts including popular culture, parenting, and the roots of racisim. While the show might touch upon more traditional skeptical topics such as UFOs, conspiracies and that crafty ole Big Foot from time to time, the show has a goal of attempting to examine daily and broad range of topics through the lens of scientific skepticism.
The show is divided into segments with each five to ten minute segment hosted by a different skeptic. Think of the first half of Skepticality, and followed by an interview segment. Again this echoes Skepticality but with a more button down feel.
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This WiFi is going to kill us all! (or not) |
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Blaskiewicz fighting woo with his fairy friends. - no wait, huh? |
Overall, I enjoyed the episode. The production values in general were good, and the content interesting. As noted the goal of the show is to cover topics, at least in part, that is more than just the traditional skeptical big tent topics. After all scepticism and rationalism can and should be applied to all parts of our lives. I think I will have to listen to more episode to see if I connect with what Barnhill is pitching. As I am not sure based upon the topics covered on this episode represented anyting noticable different from what other skeptics have covered and discussed. I think the show's goal to be met a tight editorial viewpoint will have to maintained, and it be with great interest to see if such a point of view will can can be maintained. I hope to revisit this show after a few months to report on how successful the show is in this regard, and in general. There is some real promise.
Don't know much about Ingersoll
Robert Ingersoll. I know very little about Robert Ingersoll, although I think as a proper skeptic and person aware of the other free thought groups I ought to know more about him. Well, this week on Point of Inquiry Chris Mooney interviewed Susan Jacoby author of a new book The Great Agnostic: Robert Ingersoll and American Freethought.
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Ingersoll Speaking |
It was an interesting interview, and I suspect one of my next ebooks will be Jacoby's work. I will say the only draw back to the interview is that Mooney and Jacoby sort of spoke past each other a bit. It was a bit off, but nothing serious. It was a good episode.
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