Topic: Representatives of Skepticism

[Plastique]

Does a "representative" require a shit load of knowledge, or is it enough to just apply skeptical methods to your thinking? If the latter, some comedians probably fall into the category.

[Citizen Skeptic]

Representatives of skepticism?  Is that like being a representative of not believing in fairies?

Ha ha! I've wondered about the same.

[Kwisatz Haderach]

Skeptical Comedians are certainly not the sort of people I'm talking about.  I love skeptical comedians, but they generally put being funny ahead of being scientific.  Not that there is anything wrong with that.  Dara O'Briain is the only comic I can think of who is consistently both funny and skeptical, and he certainly has a "shitload of knowledge" -- come to think of it, he actually is the sort of skeptical ambassador I am thinking of.

[ting-bu-dong]

Someone else who deserves mention when it comes to representing skepticism and talking to the media is Richard Saunders. He's more or less the go to skeptic for Australian media.

[Eternally Learning]

How about Sanal Edamaruku?  He deserves a flippin medal.

[Citizen Skeptic]

Here's a thought: se cupp. She's an open atheist conservative. She has credibility among a large "target" group.

[Neon Genesis]

I remember when Se Cupp was on Bill Maher and she was a total moron.

[Eternally Learning]

I remember when Se Cupp was on Bill Maher and she was a total moron.

+1.  Saw some of her other videos after that too and they were not better.

[Ajzzz]

Here's a thought: se cupp. She's an open atheist conservative. She has credibility among a large "target" group.

Never heard her state anything skeptical, she's an atheist but doesn't seem to have skeptical reasons for it. She also said that fundamentalists and evangelicals don't literally believe in creationism and a load of other stupid shit.

[Neon Genesis]

What about Rachel Maddow?  She doesn't specifically identify as skeptic and doesn't address specific skeptical issues but she does a great job of debunking political conspiracy theories when she does focus on them and she occasionally has science stuff on her show.

[Eternally Learning]

What about Rachel Maddow?  She doesn't specifically identify as skeptic and doesn't address specific skeptical issues but she does a great job of debunking political conspiracy theories when she does focus on them and she occasionally has science stuff on her show.

Nah.  I like her, but if you don't self-identify as a skeptic, we can hardly claim you as one of our own.

Also, as some may have missed this and I cannot imagine I'm alone in my opinion of this guy:

How about Sanal Edamaruku?  He deserves a flippin medal.

[jomike]

Also, as some may have missed this and I cannot imagine I'm alone in my opinion of this guy:

How about Sanal Edamaruku?  He deserves a flippin medal.

+1

[Citizen Skeptic]

So what is the skeptical agenda that you'd like pitched? Atheism? Evolution? Science education? Rational thought? Human rights?

Who would you like to deliver the message to? What's the call to action? What determines success/failure?

How many "skeptics" are interested in activism? I'm not. I just like the crowd. 

[ting-bu-dong]

So what is the skeptical agenda that you'd like pitched?

Critical thinking as a virtue. Facts trumping group loyalty in public discourse. Opposing popular nonsense, ranging from trivial supernatural beliefs to harmful misconceptions people hold about things like medicine and science. Objecting to the free ride charlatans and quacks get and to the excuses the general public makes for them.

[Citizen Skeptic]

So what is the skeptical agenda that you'd like pitched?

Critical thinking as a virtue. Facts trumping group loyalty in public discourse. Opposing popular nonsense, ranging from trivial supernatural beliefs to harmful misconceptions people hold about things like medicine and science. Objecting to the free ride charlatans and quacks get and to the excuses the general public makes for them.

The people who think about critical thinking for a living are philosophers. I think Massimo and Julia fill that bill nicely. They are my #1 "skeptic" podcast. I like SGU but it's getting a little repetitive and it's fluffy (not very deep) science wise. Steve is the only one with real science chops and expertise on the podcast.