NS4: Science, Nonsense, and the Art of Critical Thinking

The BBC Horizon test of Homeopathy claims. Please watch this video: 1) What exactly was the claim that Dr. Madeleine Ennis said her research supported? 2)Describe the dilution process the team used to produce the homeopathic solution. 3) What is the device that actually was used to check to see if the homeopathic solution had a biological effect of the cells? 4)Did the test use a control sample? Was the test blinded? Explain and describe. 5) what was the outcome of the test? Do you feel the results were reliable? Why or Why not?

The process of gaining new knowledge through Science is complex. Here is an amazing exploration of how the father-son team of Luis and Walter Alvarez created the current best theory for the KT extinction event that took out the dinosaurs: http://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/0_0_0/alvarez_01

Perhaps the best science short film ever made!

Interesting alternative hypotheses and criticisms of NDEs from Penn & Teller. warning: strong language (and opinions) http://www.trilulilu.ro//penn-and-teller-bullshit-ouija-bo

Pareidolia in the news! http://www.washingtonpost.com//how-your-brain-tricks-you-/