Confession time, I am only a recent science enthusiast and am still struggling with the language and concepts. None of this is second hand, off-the-cuff, easy-as-pie reading (or writing) for me. But here we go...
I became interested in science and biology after entering the fitness and health profession. At first I thought having a fun play list and teaching a few cycling classes would be a great way to meet people and make some extra cash. Then something unexpected happened, people actually starting looking at me and treating me as a person who actually knows something about health and fitness. They would tell me about the medicines they take, the aches and pains they feel getting out of bed, the guilt of eating too much at the cousin's wedding, and on and on.
When I realized people expected me to know something it made me start to thinking that if I was to have any self-respect I better get my ass in gear and start learning, stat.
Sooooo, I decided to subscribe to science and reasoning magazines in order to teach my brain critical thinking skills. Okay I am boring you already. Here, pretend George Clooney is reading this to you now.
So one of my first subscriptions was Skeptical Inquirer (they have a snazzy web site here: Skeptical Inquirer)
The word "skeptical" sounds so condescending. "Oh I am sure you are certain of your story but I remain skeptical." But I have really come to appreciate the skill and discipline it takes to have strict standards and am trying to apply them more in my reasoning. (Slowly but surely getting there)
So now we get into this sexy issue!
Picture Brad Pitt circa his "Thelma & Louise" days as we take a gander at the mother fuckin' May/June edition of the Skeptical Inquirer you hot bitches!
Jenny McCarthy is a Stubborn Fucking Moron:
Her autism "expert," Andrew Wakefield, acted unethically when he tried to establish a link between vaccines and autism. This is serious because he has not only hurt his reputation but he may lose his medical license as well. Not that Jenny McCarthy will ever own up to that nonsense. She will continue to confuse people and it will take years to undo the damage she (and Jim Carey and Oprah and Bill Maher and Robert Kennedy, Jr.) have caused. If there is one thing I have learned, it is very hard to "unscare" people. Heavy sigh.
Sweat Lodges are Bull Shit:
Just three days agoI said to a class we are "sweating out the toxins" but really there is no such thing. WTF?!
Simply put, sweating is the body's way of regulating temperature. It is just trying to get cooler. Not cleaner. Your liver works to collect and get rid of your body's toxins. Not your colon and certainly not your sweat glands. So stop thinking that sweating is getting rid of toxins, chemicals, gremlins, bad chi or whatever! It just means you are hot. Period.
To illustrate this the editors chose to include a picture of this sexy beast:
My eyes! My eyes! (Quick think of David Gilmour circa early era Pink Floyd)
Whew, MUCH better.
The BIG story is about why our brains (might) want to believe in a higher power. Here is a synopsis.
We want to "believe" because it feels good to believe. It makes you feel loved, wanted, accepted, included, important and/or necessary. Whether or not we should believe--I am not touching that. But it is interesting to think about in a non-emotional way.
Another article is titled: "War of the Weasels" An Evolutionary Algorithm Beats Intelligent Design."
I have a vague idea what they are trying to say but it may take more book learnin' for me to get there.
The rest of the issue includes some sexy nature stores and book reviews. When I get confused, I pretend Tom Cavanagh from "Ed" is explaining it to me. How adorable is this guy?
I love dark, Irish dudes.
Where am I?
Overall Grade: B (Good information but they need some SERIOUS help with layout and design. It looks like a college project--not in a good way!)
My final word in my first review of Skeptical Inquirer, go check it out. Your brain will say Namaste!