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The Skeptic

@skeptic.org.uk

1.1K followers 41 following 1.2K posts

Expert skeptical analysis of pseudoscience, conspiracy theory and claims of the paranormal, since 1987. Reason with compassion. 🌐 https://www.skeptic.org.uk/

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · Nov 13

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 4h

The normalisation of superstition and human sacrifice in Indian society | Akshit Mishra

Despite laws to promote a scientific mindset, superstition continues to flourish in India, with the media reluctant to call out fake gurus.

www.skeptic.org.uk/2025/10/the-...

The normalisation of superstition and human sacrifice in Indian society - The Skeptic

Despite laws to promote a scientific mindset, superstition continues to flourish in India, with the media reluctant to call out fake gurus

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 1d

From the archives: Who Invented the Loch Ness Monster? - The Skeptic

From the archives in 1992, cryptozoology researcher Steuart Campbell goes in search of the origin of the Loch Ness legend

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 2d

The sinking of the Titanic wasn’t a crafty insurance con, it was a real tragedy | Mike Hall

Theories that the Titanic never sank, and that it was switched for another ship as part of an insurance con, ignore irrefutable counter-evidence.

The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 2d

The sinking of the Titanic wasn't a crafty insurance con, it was a real tragedy - The Skeptic

Theories that the Titanic never sank, and that it was switched for another ship as part of an insurance con, ignore key counter-evidence

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 2d

The sinking of the Titanic wasn't a crafty insurance con, it was a real tragedy - The Skeptic

Theories that the Titanic never sank, and that it was switched for another ship as part of an insurance con, ignore key counter-evidence

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · Nov 13

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter: dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/359825...

Or pitch us a story - we publish all manner of topics, if you can bring an approach of compassionate skepticism. Details here:
www.skeptic.org.uk/about/write-...

And you can support us at: www.patreon.com/theskeptic

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 5d

The Skeptic Podcast: Episode #033 - The Skeptic

Featuring articles from Brian Eggo (August 2022), Lee Traynor (April 2006), Wendy Grossman (October 1989), and Thiago Vahia (March 2023).

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 5d

Stefan Lanka, virus denialism, and proving science in the courtroom - The Skeptic

Controversial German virologist Stefan Lanka challenged scientists to prove viruses are real, which made it all the way to the German courts.

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 7d

Ultramarathon runners and cancer risk – results from a preliminary study - The Skeptic

A preliminary study suggests a correlation between ultramarathons and higher bowel cancer risk, but we should be cautious about what it means

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 8d

Wendy Grossman remembers the late TV presenter John Stapleton - The Skeptic

After the death of TV presenter John Stapleton, former editor of The Skeptic Wendy Grossman reflects on meeting Stapleton on air in 1992

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 9d

Nibiru and Planet Nine – have scientists found the home of the Annunaki? - The Skeptic

Claims that we have found "Planet Nine" – and that it might be Niburu, home of the Anunnaki – owe more to science fiction than to reality

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 12d

The Skeptic Podcast: Episode #032 - The Skeptic

Featuring articles from Kat Ford (March 2023), Ray Hyman (April 2012), Brian Eggo (September 2022), and Chris French (September 2021).

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 12d

Beware the groups who use edge cases and social norms to curtail free speech - The Skeptic

Charlie Kirk was a poster boy for a movement that pays lip service to free speech while bullying and intimidating critics into silence

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 14d

The March for Life conference showed the US influence on UK anti-abortion groups - The Skeptic

March for Life's 2025 "pro-life" conference sought to send the message that they're confident abortion will not be decriminalised in the UK

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 15d

From the archives: The Silver Man 'alien' photo is merely retouched reality - The Skeptic

From the archives in 1992, Ole Henningsen explains how "The silver man", a famous picture of an ‘alien', is a simple hoax

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 16d

Peter Thiel’s Antichrist: when apocalyptic myths meet Silicon Valley - The Skeptic

Influential Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel has been increasingly talking about the Antichrist, but is he just being metaphorical?

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 19d

The Skeptic Podcast: Episode #031 - The Skeptic

Featuring articles from Brian Eggo (May 2022), Wendy Grossman (January 2011), Thiago Vahia (February 2023) and Mark Horne (September 20223).

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 19d

Can taking in polarised news sources help us navigate complex media stories? - The Skeptic

Ground News promises to help us get to truth by accessing a wider set of viewpoints – but truth isn't always found at the mid-point of two extremes

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 20d

Why is Tesco's free recipe magazine telling me about the health benefits of sea moss? - The Skeptic

When even supermarket recipe magazines are leading with health tips about sea moss, we need to stop treating wellness claims as "content"

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 21d

The Werther effect: a recipe for a 21st-century Children’s Crusade - The Skeptic

When the media sensationalise the risk of suicide, they run the risk of creating a self-fulfilling prophecy – known as the Werther effect

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 22d

From the archives: A look at paranormal trends in the Soviet Union | Tim Axon

From the archives in 1992, Tim Axon looks at how paranormal beliefs flourished in the the former Soviet Union.

www.skeptic.org.uk/2025/09/from...

From the archives: A look at paranormal trends in the Soviet Union - The Skeptic

From the archives in 1992, Tim Axon looks at how paranormal beliefs flourished in the the former Soviet Union

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 23d

If we take away the statistical quirks and biases, is there any placebo effect left? - The Skeptic

Once you eliminate well-understood elements like bias and regression to the mean, there's no remarkable placebo effect left to explain

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 26d

The Skeptic Podcast: Episode #030 - The Skeptic

Featuring articles from Clio Bellenis (March 2024), Brian Eggo (January 2024), Chris French (April 2012), and Chris Willis (January 2002).

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 26d

Combating hate and discrimination against Africans by Africans in Africa - The Skeptic

While much focus is on racism towards Africans from the West, ethnicism and intolerance exists within the continent too, and needs fighting

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 27d

Kiasu: superstition, or Singapore's quiet multicultural strength? - The Skeptic

The 'Kiasu' mindset might explain why Singaporeans of different beliefs coexist so happily – it's better to try to fit in, than to risk missing out

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The Skeptic @skeptic.org.uk · 28d

The wisdom of crowds: when collective ignorance beats individual expertise - The Skeptic

While the wisdom of crowds can help guess jelly beans or the weight of an ox, the real wisdom is knowing when – and when not – to rely on it

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