About me
I post as “I Doubt It” at various forums and blogs. It’s been my account name since I got my first non-work email address in 1993.
I’m a scientist/policy/regulation person by profession, with a B.S. in Geosciences and a Masters degree in education focusing on science and the public. I’ve been active in the skeptical community since 1992 and am critical by nature. I’m interested in anomalous natural phenomena of all kinds. I like talking to skeptics and non-skeptics alike (unless you are really unprofessional about it…). But my favorite subjects are ghosts, cryptozoology and Fortean phenomena.
My main interest is the idea of “sham inquiry” or passing off activities that look like science but really aren’t. I can see this happening in paranormal and non-paranormal issues everyday from ghost hunting to environmental activism. I’ve published a thesis about amateur paranormal investigation groups and plan to research more on the public understanding of science.
Hill, S. A. (2010) “Being Scientifical: Popularity, Purpose and Promotion of Amateur Research and Investigation Groups in the U.S.” [Thesis] Master of Education – Science and the Public, State University of New York at Buffalo.
Copies are available upon request.
I also write a column on this topic for the Center for Skeptical Inquiry called Sounds Sciencey.
Most of my time is running the site Doubtful News: a unique feed of paranormal, pseudoscience and critical thinking stories making the news. Come discuss the latest topics hot off the internet!
In addition to this I’m an author for:
And I do various speaking engagements, workshops and guest appearances. For more, see my Bio page.
Referencing this blog
If you wish to use or quote something from this site, use the following format:
Doubtful “Title of post”, date of post, direct URL of post.
Contact
Please leave comments, I usually respond. Or contact me for further information on any of these topics.
Contact me at PAskeptic@gmail.com
Thanks for visiting.
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Credit: D. Loxton and Skeptic Magazine (posted online skeptic.com in March 2010)
