In 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after takeoff from Florida’s coast, an accident that laid bare not only institutional flaws in the application of high technology but also flaws in the public’s understanding of science. Many myths have emerged...
Research
Adventures in Poor Taste Reviews ‘Tracking the Chupacabra’
I'm far too modest to mention it, but there's a nice new review of my chupacabra book on the Adventures in Poor Taste website... you can find it HERE.
Covert Anti-Vaccination In ‘Children’s Health Defense’
News and social media are awash with information about the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately much of what’s shared on social media about COVID-19 is false, misleading, or speculative. From the White House to the CDC, conspiracy cranks to Goop contributors, it’s a...
When Anti-Vaccination Fears Come From Inside The House
During the first presidential debate, moderator Chris Wallace mischaracterized Kamala Harris's concerns about vaccinations under Trump. I wrote about it recently: "Harris did not promote any conspiracy theory; she chose her words carefully: '*If* the past is prologue,...
When Anti-Vaccination Fears Come From Inside The House
My new article is on why some progressives have recently joined conservatives and conspiracy mongers in promoting vaccination fears: "The chorus of those raising fears about vaccine safety (for whatever reason ranging from genuine fears to belief in conspiracies to...
Squaring the Strange # 126: Strangeness Set in Stone
With statues being front and center in the news earlier this month, we decided to take a few tours of the stranger side of statues. From graveyard statues that take strolls when you're not looking to spooky statues that allegedly can't be photographed. Myths involving...
Texas Hospital Finds ‘Covid Party’ – Or Legend
As if on cue! Following my recent CFI article “The Truth About Covid Parties” and Squaring the Strange podcast episode on ‘covid parties,’ titled “Tonight We’re Gonna Party Like It’s Covid 1999” there’s a news article suggesting they’ve been confirmed!...
Guest on The Paracast Show!
I was recently a guest on the Paracast paranormal radio, talking about skepticism, some of my best-known investigations, and having a fun, respectful exchange with "believer" co-hosts Gene and Randall. Check it out HERE!
Squaring the Strange # 124: Antifa as Emergent Panic
In the new episode of Squaring the Strange, we take a look at Antifa this week, or rather--we take a look at HOW people are LOOKING at Antifa. Are we witnessing the birth of a modern social panic? How is Antifa used for political and social purposes? What are the...
‘Extra Ordinary’: Fantastic Phantasm Fun
Extra Ordinary, a gloriously amusing Irish romantic comedy about the supernatural, begins with the obligatory, winking tagline “Based on a true story.” The ghost hunting genre is both ripe for satire and difficult to satirize effectively because it’s so self-evidently...