Midweek Link thread (05/11/14)

[Prolescum]

1. People Are More Swayed by Things That Look Sciencey
   
   
2. Seven Myths about Ussher
   
   
3. More On Why Smart People Are Not Always Rational
   
   
4. World's first solar cycle lane opening in the Netherlands
   
   
5. Every Single Flu Vaccine Myth, Debunked
   
   
6. Potential planet formation in a triple star system
   
   
7. Jerry Coyne's "Why evolution is true" - 1st Chapter as a videobook
   
   
8. And Jerry's article
   
   
9. Top British Spy Warns of Terrorists’ Use of Social Media

...and finally, this week's caption image: UK Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles.

You're welcome to discuss the above or add your own finds for others to enjoy

 

[Inferno]

This just out: U.S. federal court declares secular humanism a religion

Uh, what?

 

[Visaki]

This just out: U.S. federal court declares secular humanism a religion

Uh, what?

Not the first time, really. The US courts have a longish tradition of "declaring" secular humanism, atheism etc as a religion in the eyes of the law to make it equal to theistic religions. Note the courts wording in "The court finds that Secular Humanism is a religion for Establishment Clause purposes".

It's silly and gives ammunition to the illiterate masses of theists that will go and gloat "see, we told you ahteism (or secular humanism) is a religion" but if you take it as a whole I think it's a good thing for our American cousins. On the other hands; can you imagine someone like Harris, Dennet et al using this to get their housing or groups finances declared tax exempt as a theistic preacher have it? Our problem here is that our preachers are too moral to do that.

 

[WarK]

Technicalities of Net Neutrality - Computerphile