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Balles Prize in Critical Thinking, to be presented by the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry at the CFI Summit in October. </p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="content"> <div class="showall"><form action=""><input type="checkbox" id="showallarticles" checked="checked"/><span>Show Print-Only Articles</span></form></div> <h2>Paul Fidalgo, Communications Director</h2> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/images/member_photos/photo_89091.png" width="100" height="100" class="right bordered" alt="Paul Fidalgo, Communications Director's photo"/> <p>This is the account for "official" CFI communications posts by Paul Fidalgo. His daily news and link roundup is posted at <em><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blogs/pfidalgo">The Morning Heresy</a></em>.</p> <div class="article-single unavailable"> <div class="printonly"><p>Available in the Print Edition. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://csi-store.myshopify.com/">Subscribe Here.</a></p></div><h4 class="authorpage">Short Takes from CSICON 2017</h4> <h5><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/si/archive/category/volume_42.2">Skeptical Inquirer Volume 42.2, March / April 2018</a></h5><br/> <h5 class="type"><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/si/archive/category/conference_report">Conference Report</a></h5> <div class="clear"></div> <p><p> </p></p> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single unavailable"> <div class="printonly"><p>Available in the Print Edition. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://csi-store.myshopify.com/">Subscribe Here.</a></p></div><h4 class="authorpage">Maria Konnikova Wins CSI’s Balles Prize in Critical Thinking for The Confidence Game</h4> <h5><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/si/archive/category/volume_41.4">Skeptical Inquirer Volume 41.4, July/August 2017</a></h5><br/> <h5 class="type"><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/si/archive/category/special_report">Special Report</a></h5> <div class="clear"></div> <p><p> </p></p> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/interview_with_hemant_mehta_the_friendly_atheist">Interview with Hemant Mehta, the Friendly Atheist: Guest Post by Susan Gerbic</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">March 24, 2017</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="thumbnail thumbleft"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/images/blog_images/Hemant_MehtaphotofromHemantMehta_thumb.jpg" alt="Interview with Hemant Mehta, the Friendly Atheist: Guest Post by Susan Gerbic"/> </div> <p> <strong>Guest Post by Susan Gerbic </strong> </p> <p> Hemant Mehta is best known for his blog on Patheos, <em>Friendly Atheist</em>; he also has a podcast of the same name and has written about selling his soul on eBay. He has two other books, <em>The Young Atheist’s Survival Guide</em> and <em>The Friendly Atheist: Thoughts on the Role of Religion in Politics and Media</em>. </p> <p> </p> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/stepping_back_from_secular_movement_leadership_lyz_liddell_to_leave_cfi">Stepping Back from Secular Movement Leadership, Lyz Liddell to Leave CFI</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">September 14, 2016</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <p>Lyz Liddell, who recently came on board to serve as CFI’s Vice President of Programming, has decided to step down for personal reasons unrelated to her position at CFI or the organization.  </p><p> Lyz explains her decision in the following statement… </p> <p> </p> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/armed_with_a_misinformation_radar_interview_with_kavin_senapathy">Armed with a Misinformation Radar: Interview with Kavin Senapathy</a></h4> <h5 class="date">August 2, 2016</h5><div class="clear"></div> <div class="thumbnail thumbleft"> <a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/armed_with_a_misinformation_radar_interview_with_kavin_senapathy"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.csicop.org/uploads/images/si/Kavinheadshotblue_thumb.jpg" alt="Armed with a Misinformation Radar: Interview with Kavin Senapathy"/></a> </div> <p><p>For me, it’s all about opposing injustice, and sometimes that requires targeting religion, and sometimes it requires fighting anti-science interests—they’re all forms of fundamentalism when you peel back a few layers. </p></p> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/cfiuganda_educates_and_celebrates_with_science_and_humanism">CFI–Uganda Educates and Celebrates with Science and Humanism</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">February 19, 2016</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="thumbnail thumbleft"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/images/blog_images/2_16_copy_thumb.jpg" alt="CFI–Uganda Educates and Celebrates with Science and Humanism"/> </div> <p>We just got a great report from CFI–Uganda, a very active CFI branch that deals with things like the problem of belief in witchcraft among much of the population and superstitions about medicine and disease. And they tackle these issues, and many more, directly, person by person.</p> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/ron_lindsay_visits_cfikenya_and_launches_humanists_orphans_center">Ron Lindsay Visits CFI–Kenya and Launches Humanists Orphans Center</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">November 12, 2015</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="thumbnail thumbleft"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/images/blog_images/ron_uniforms_thumb.png" alt="Ron Lindsay Visits CFI–Kenya and Launches Humanists Orphans Center"/> </div> <p> <strong><em>This is a special guest post by George Ongere of CFI–Kenya.</em></strong>  </p> <p> On November 10 and 11, 2015, CFI President and CEO Ron Lindsay visited CFI–Kenya. Ron’s visit during this time was very important because he was coming to officially launch the Humanist Orphans Center, which is a project of CFI–Kenya, located in the rural of Kisumu County. While launching the center, Ron stressed the importance of education to the growing generation and explained the commitment of the Center for Inquiry to supporting vulnerable children living in disadvantaged areas to make them realize their potential. </p> <p> </p> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/cfikenya_the_plight_of_children_in_africa_and_our_humanist_efforts">CFI–Kenya: The Plight of Children in Africa and Our Humanist Efforts</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">July 15, 2015</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="thumbnail thumbleft"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/images/blog_images/cookekenya_thumb.png" alt="CFI–Kenya: The Plight of Children in Africa and Our Humanist Efforts"/> </div> <p> <strong><em>This is a special guest post by George Ongere of CFI–Kenya.</em></strong> </p> <p> In Africa, children often find themselves in unfortunate situations due to local beliefs, practises and representations, which always lead to mistreatment, exploitation, violence and deaths. In most cases, a great number of children find themselves in circumstances that they do not understand or comprehend; and sadly, they can be hacked to death or chased away from the only families and homes they have known in their entire lives without any explanations given to them. </p> <p> </p> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/we_can_now_afford_to_dream_again_-_how_you_helped_humanists_in_uganda">‘We Can Now Afford to Dream Again’ - How You Helped Humanists in Uganda</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">October 8, 2014</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="thumbnail thumbleft"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/images/blog_images/Screen_Shot_2014-10-08_at_125104_PM_thumb.png" alt="‘We Can Now Afford to Dream Again’ - How You Helped Humanists in Uganda"/> </div> <div><p> This past summer, we asked you to help us <a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/news/humanists_in_uganda_need_our_help/" target="_blank"><strong>lend a hand to our humanist allies in Uganda</strong></a>, the <strong>Humanist Association for Leadership, Equity, and Accountability</strong>. HALEA’s offices, located in the slums of Kamapala, were robbed, during which a security guard was severely beaten (and who is now recovering well, I’m happy to say), and the offices were stripped of everything of value: computers, cameras, phones, printers, microphones, power cords, media players, and more. ... </p></div> <p> </p> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/si/show/csi_announces_paul_offit_as_winner_of_the_2013_balles_prize">CSI Announces Paul Offit As Winner of the 2013 Balles Prize</a></h4> <h5><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/si/archive/category/volume_38.4">Skeptical Inquirer Volume 38.4, July/August 2014</a></h5><br/> <h5 class="type"><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/si/archive/category/news_and_comment">News & Comment</a></h5> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="thumbnail thumbleft"> <a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/si/show/csi_announces_paul_offit_as_winner_of_the_2013_balles_prize"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.csicop.org/uploads/images/si/fidalgo-offit-balles-fb_thumb.jpg" alt="CSI Announces Paul Offit As Winner of the 2013 Balles Prize"/></a> </div> <p>It is for a literary endeavor, perhaps no less valuable than his scientific work, that Dr. Paul Offit is the 2013 recipient of the Robert P. Balles Annual Prize in Critical Thinking.</p> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single unavailable"> <div class="printonly"><p>Available in the Print Edition. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://csi-store.myshopify.com/">Subscribe Here.</a></p></div><h4 class="authorpage">Forbes’ Salzberg, CSI’s Nickell Receive Balles Prize in Critical Thinking</h4> <h5><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/sb/archive/category/sb_23.4">Skeptical Briefs Volume 23.4, Winter 2013–2014</a></h5><br/> <div class="clear"></div> <p> </p> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/cfi_kenya_african_humanism_and_its_agenda">CFI–Kenya Report: African Humanism and its Agenda</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">July 8, 2014</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="thumbnail thumbleft"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/images/blog_images/ongere_and_orphans_thumb.png" alt="CFI–Kenya Report: African Humanism and its Agenda"/> </div> <p> <em>This is a special guest post by <strong>George Ongere</strong> of CFI</em><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px">–</span><em>Kenya.</em> </p> <p> <em></em>One of the problems that have arisen in the recent times amongst humanists in Africa is the definition of “African Humanism”, or what should be termed as Africa humanism. Thus, confusions have always caught up with many Africans when it comes to connecting the two terms; “Africa” and “humanism.” </p> <em></em> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/choosing_our_targets_for_twittertheocracy">Choosing Our Targets for #TwitterTheocracy</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">June 20, 2014</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="thumbnail thumbleft"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/images/blog_images/10441979_10152267802334773_2120960293296118640_n_copy_thumb.png" alt="Choosing Our Targets for #TwitterTheocracy"/> </div> Secular activists and other free speech advocates were pleased to see Twitter unlock the accounts of users who had been blocked at the request of the Pakistani government. So are we, but we also want to make clear that the problem has not by any means been solved. <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/the_acljs_hypocrisy_on_blasphemy_laws">The ACLJ’s Hypocrisy on Blasphemy Laws</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">May 22, 2014</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="thumbnail thumbleft"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/images/blog_images/nt_thumb.jpg" alt="The ACLJ’s Hypocrisy on Blasphemy Laws"/> </div> <p> Combatting the global epidemic of blasphemy laws, apostasy laws, and other draconian measures that severely restrict free expression, is a core part of CFI’s mission. For some of us, myself included, it’s the most important work we do, fighting to free those being persecuted for expressing their beliefs, and working to curtail the laws that enable this kind of oppression. And while it can’t be at the top of every group’s agenda, I often take for granted that everyone in the U.S. at least generally agrees with us: that free expression is a universal human right. But leave it to the religious right: They never fail to disappoint. </p> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/cfi_ill-reasoned_scotus_prayer_decision">SCOTUS Rules for Legislative Prayer, CFI Says Court Appears ‘Hostile’ to Religious Minorities</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">May 5, 2014</h5> <div class="clear"></div> The Supreme Court decided 5-4 in favor of sectarian legislative prayer today in the case of <em>Greece v. Galloway</em>. <a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/newsroom/scotus_greece_decision/" target="_blank">In CFI's official statement</a>, we said, "this ill-reasoned and constitutionally infirm decision sets a dangerous precedent for the blending of religion and government, and sends a message of exclusion to those who do not follow the majoritarian belief system." Here's what our president and CEO Ron Lindsay had to say. <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/explaining_our_mission_-_ron_lindsay_on_the_radio_-_ron_lindsay_on_montana_">Explaining Our Mission - Ron Lindsay on Montana Public Radio</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">April 22, 2014</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="thumbnail thumbleft"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/images/blog_images/Amherst-Main_Entrance_thumb.JPG" alt="Explaining Our Mission - Ron Lindsay on Montana Public Radio"/> </div> Here in the thick of the secular and skeptic movements, it can be easy to forget that not everyone really knows what it is we're fighting for. Even the politically plugged-in may only have a tangential awareness that there is a vibrant movement of secularists, humanists, atheists, skeptics, and others who are working every day to advance reason, science, and secular values. More importantly, there is often a misunderstanding as to why we do what we do. We're not here just to be gadflies or score technical points on First Amendment squabbles. We want to protect and advance fundamental humanistic values like freedom of expression, the value of critical thinking, and the freedom to be who you are regardless of what someone else's religion says about it. <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/have_you_been_saved_-_special_earth_day_audio_essay">Have You Been Saved? - Special Earth Day Audio Essay</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">April 22, 2014</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="thumbnail thumbleft"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/images/blog_images/shutterstock_149468141_copy_thumb.jpg" alt="Have You Been Saved? - Special Earth Day Audio Essay"/> </div> <p> Around the time of Earth Day in 2006, Bill Nye was the guest on CFI's flagship podcast <em>Point of Inquiry</em>, at the time hosted by DJ Grothe. Before the interview, the show aired an essay written and read by<strong> Lauren Becker</strong> (now of course our director of marketing), "Have You Been Saved?"  </p> <p> As a special treat for Earth Day 2014, we wanted to share it with you.  </p> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/edwin_kagin_1940-2014">Edwin Kagin: 1940-2014</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">March 31, 2014</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <p> Edwin Kagin, American Atheists' national legal director and a founder of Camp Quest, has died at the age of 73. Tom Flynn, Executive Director of the Council for Secular Humanism and editor of <em>Free Inquiry</em>, shares these thoughts on behalf of the Center for Inquiry: </p> <p> - - -  </p> <p> To call Edwin Kagin bombastic or colorful is to concede the inadequacy of language... </p> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/using_humanism_to_help_the_less_fortunate_in_africa">Using Humanism to Help the Less Fortunate in Africa</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">March 26, 2014</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="thumbnail thumbleft"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/images/blog_images/finland_visitors_group1_thumb.png" alt="Using Humanism to Help the Less Fortunate in Africa"/> </div> <p> <em>This is a special guest post by <strong>George Ongere</strong> of CFI-Kenya</em> </p> <p> When I first embraced a humanistic life stance, I believed that it was only a personal matter and that it would not compel me to trouble myself to engage in activities of social justice. Most people who have embraced a secular life stance, and mostly atheists, believe that having abandoned religion, and then trying to involve themselves with activities like helping the poor, assisting orphans and helping homeless widows, is like trying to mimic religion. Hence when one abandons the belief in God, gods, Satan, etc., it does not compel them to be involved in matters of social justice. However, secular humanism allows one to adhere to certain kinds of principles, and as such, going to the extent of working for social justice is not a problem with those who embrace secular humanism. </p> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/edwina_rogers_on_secularisms_big_year_in_washington_and_the_tough_road_ahea">Edwina Rogers on Secularism’s Big Year in Washington and the Tough Road Ahead</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">September 19, 2013</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="thumbnail thumbleft"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/images/blog_images/edwina_rogers_thumb.jpg" alt="Edwina Rogers on Secularism’s Big Year in Washington and the Tough Road Ahead"/> </div> <div> Edwina Rogers is a veteran DC lobbyist who surprised nearly everyone when she became the executive director of the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://secular.org/" target="_blank">Secular Coalition for America</a> in 2012. (The <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://secularhumanism.org/">Council for Secular Humanism</a>, an affiliate organization of CFI, is a member organization of SCA.) Not only was it not common knowledge that Rogers was nontheistic, or even sympathetic to secularist causes, but she’s also a Republican. This, of course, raised all manner of questions (some politely asked, some not) about what role she might play in a movement made up mostly of people who consider themselves progressives. </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/eugenie_scott_cfi_summit">Eugenie Scott on Choosing Skepticism’s Battles, Differentiating from Atheism</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">September 16, 2013</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="thumbnail thumbleft"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/images/blog_images/fidalgo-scott-interview_thumb.jpg" alt="Eugenie Scott on Choosing Skepticism’s Battles, Differentiating from Atheism"/> </div> <div> It’s been one year <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/eugenie_scott_on_the_stealth_of_science_denialism/" target="_blank">since I last interviewed science education advocate Eugenie Scott</a>, and the struggle to save science from being supplanted by religious ideology in public education has not ceased. But, as you’ll see in our new interview on the heels of the upcoming <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://cfisummit.org/" target="_blank"><strong>CFI Summit</strong></a>, much has been learned. Dr. Scott and I talk about what’s changing in this struggle, what’s staying the same, and go deeper into questions about what issues groups like the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://ncse.com/" target="_blank">NCSE</a> and its allies should prioritize. </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/zack_kopplin_will_save_louisiana_because_he_loves_it">CFI Interview: Zack Kopplin Will Save Louisiana Because He Loves It</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">September 9, 2013</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="thumbnail thumbleft"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/images/blog_images/Zack--college_thumb.jpg" alt="CFI Interview: Zack Kopplin Will Save Louisiana Because He Loves It"/> </div> <p> Zack will be one of the speakers at the upcoming <strong><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://cfisummit.org/">CFI Summit</a> in Tacoma, Washington, October 24-27</strong>, and he talked to me about what motivates his activism (which includes a cameo from a particular Cajun political operative), how he actually manages to get things done, and what other pursuits he might decide to train his laser focus on. </p> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/how_to_get_blocked_and_not_blocked_by_a_cfi_twitter_account">How to Get Blocked (and Not Blocked) by a CFI Twitter Account</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">January 17, 2013</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <p> As there is a lot of heated back-and-forth going on within the skepto-atheosphere, Twitter has become perhaps the prime arena for arguments and debates. Not all of it is constructive, of course, and some of it is downright abusive, and it can be hard to know what crosses the line from criticism (well-meaning or otherwise) to raw hectoring or simply being hurtful. </p> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/helping_the_truth_get_its_shoes_on_sharon_hill_and_the_long_slog_of_skeptic">Helping the Truth Get its Shoes On: Sharon Hill and the Long Slog of Skepticism</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">September 13, 2012</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="thumbnail thumbleft"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/images/blog_images/sharonhill_small_thumb.jpg" alt="Helping the Truth Get its Shoes On: Sharon Hill and the Long Slog of Skepticism"/> </div> Sharon Hill has been helping folks discern flim-flam from fact for going on two decades now, exposing “sciencey” sounding nonsense in all manner of formats. She’s a regular contributor to Skeptical Inquirer and the CSI website, she’s the impresario of Doubtful News, a one-stop shop for clarity in a very polluted media landscape, and she’s on the panel of the new Virtual Skeptics video podcast. <p> Inspired by her upcoming presentation at CSICon 2 in Nashville next month, CFI’s Paul Fidalgo talked to Sharon about what makes her tick, how we can process the implausible claims made in the modern news media, and how to talk about it with friends and family when they seem to be buying the hype. </p> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/anthony_pratkanis_has_a_bridge_in_brooklyn_hed_like_to_stop_you_from_buying">Anthony Pratkanis Has a Bridge in Brooklyn He’d Like to Stop You from Buying</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">August 29, 2012</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="thumbnail thumbleft"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/images/blog_images/pratkanis_at_senatesmall_thumb.jpg" alt="Anthony Pratkanis Has a Bridge in Brooklyn He’d Like to Stop You from Buying"/> </div> <div> His students have known him as “Master of the Noosphere,” but we know him as Anthony Pratkanis, a world-renowned expert on persuasion and influence and a fellow of the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.csicop.org/">Committee for Skeptical Inquiry</a>. Prof. Pratkanis will be among the incredible team of speakers at <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://csiconference.org/">CSICon in Nashville</a> this October, and CFI’s Paul Fidalgo talked to him about what led him to the main topic of his presentation at CSICon: how and why we get bamboozled by con artists. </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="article-single"> <h4 class="authorpage"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog/eugenie_scott_on_the_stealth_of_science_denialism">Eugenie Scott on the Stealth of Science Denialism</a></h4> <h5 class="type"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blog">Free Thinking</a> (centerforinquiry.net)</h5> <h5 class="date">August 20, 2012</h5> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="thumbnail thumbleft"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/images/blog_images/10-Oct-3194x4800_thumb.jpg" alt="Eugenie Scott on the Stealth of Science Denialism"/> </div> <div> This October, Dr. Eugenie Scott, head of the National Center for Science Education, will speak at the much-anticipated <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/http://csiconference.org/">CSICon 2012</a> in Nashville, Tennessee. She’ll be focusing on the anti-science initiatives now rampaging their way into Tennessee schools, and I wanted to get some perspective from her about where all this troubling activity is leading, and what’s behind it all. She was kind enough to take the time to have the following exchange with me.  </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <p>Page 1 of 1 pages </p> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div id="footer"> <a name="footer"></a> <img src="/web/20180402225255im_/https://www.csicop.org/img/csi-logo-new.png" alt="CSI logo" style="display:none"/> <div id="about"> <h2><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/about/about_csi">About</a></h2> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/about/contact">Contact</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/about/csicop/">Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP)</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/about/csi_fellows_and_staff/">CSI Fellows and Staff</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/about/donate_to_csi/">Donate to CSI</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/about/policy_on_hostile_conduct_harassment_at_conferences/">Policy on Hostile Conduct/Harassment at Conferences</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/about/privacy_policy/">Privacy Policy</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/about/the_pantheon_of_skeptics/">The Pantheon of Skeptics</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="resources"> <h2><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/resources">Resources</a></h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/https://csi-store.myshopify.com/">CSI Store</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/resources/us_organizations">Skeptical Organizations in the United States</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/resources/international_organizations">International Network of Skeptical Organizations</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/outreach/branches">Centers for Inquiry</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/https://www.centerforinquiry.net/forums" rel="external">CFI Forums</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="publications"> <h2><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/publications">Publications</a></h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225255/https://csi-store.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/si">Subscribe</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/si">Skeptical Inquirer</a> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/si/">Archive</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/si/archive/category/">Latest Issue</a></li> </ul></li>  <li><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/specialarticles">Special Articles</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/publications/guide/">Guide for Authors</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="news" style="border:none;"> <h2><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/news">News</a></h2> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20180402225255/https://www.csicop.org/news">Recent Announcements</a></li> </ul> </div> <p class="legal">Content copyright <acronym title="Committee for Skeptical Inquiry">CSI</acronym> or the respective copyright holders. 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