New England Skeptical Society
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The New England Skeptical Society (NESS) is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to promoting science and reason. It was originally founded in 1996 as the Connecticut Skeptical Society. The group later joined with the Skeptical Inquirers of New England (SINE) and the New Hampshire Skeptical Resource to form NESS.
The NESS produces a weekly science podcast — The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe — featuring discussions of myths, conspiracy theories, pseudoscience and the paranormal from a scientific point of view. The show also features discussions of recent scientific developments in laymen's terms, and interviews authors and other prominent skeptics. In September 20, 2006, James Randi joined the podcast providing a weekly commentary segment.
In addition the NESS hosts local lectures on a spectrum of skeptical topics. They also conduct investigations into local paranormal claims and screen local applicants for the James Randi Educational Foundation million dollar psychic challenge. They publish a newsletter of original skeptical articles, that can be found on their website.
Its president Steven Novella is a neurologist now teaching at Yale, and is one of the original founders of NESS. Novella authored the Weird Science column in the New Haven Advocate. He was also an associate editor of the Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine and a contributing editor of Quackwatch. He has appeared on several television programs (such as Penn & Teller: Bullshit!) advocating the skeptical position.
[edit] External links
- The NESS' official website
- Skeptics Guide to the Universe Website - Official Site of the podcast with archives of the show and message board
- Taking the Wind From Silly Sails - Michael Pollak, New York Times, August 24, 1997.
- Interview with Dr. Steven Novella
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