That's awesome. I sometimes disagree with Phil on politics (we both love science, which is why he wants the government to subsidize it and I want to keep the government the hell away from it), but any advocate of rationality and skepticism is just fine in my book, regardless of what other disagreements we may have. I've been reading his blog for years, and I have no doubt he'll be a perfect fit for his new job.

Congrats to Phil. He's an excellent choice for the position.

Churchill2004: That's awesome. I sometimes disagree with Phil on politics (we both love science, which is why he wants the government to subsidize it and I want to keep the government the hell away from it), but any advocate of rationality and skepticism is just fine in my book, regardless of what other disagreements we may have. I've been reading his blog for years, and I have no doubt he'll be a perfect fit for his new job.

yup yup

I loved the "debate" that Phil did with Joe Rogan about the moon landings being fake. Those episodes of PennRadio were some of my favorites.

I'm gonna need proof of this claim. And it has to be under scientifically valid, controlled, blind, and reproducible testing.

Joelogon: I'm gonna need proof of this claim. And it has to be under scientifically valid, controlled, blind, and reproducible testing.

And no lifting the table with your knee. Again.

_{/I *hope* that was your knee.}

Good on ya, Phil! Congrats!

Unfortunately, James Randi's sense of scientific method is about as sketchy as that of the people he tries to debunk.

Always best to head into an investigation with neutral hypotheses (and to consider all available hypotheses, not just the one with which you're currently enamored).

Is this "cool"? I am skeptical.

Congratulations, Phil!

Soon us Farkers will rule the world!

Randy, yeah baby!

Awesome, congrats!

So, tell the truth, does that million dollars even exist? Or was it spent long ago since no one is ever going to prove they are a real magician?

Congrats!

Now, to create an army of giant moon landing cyber ant overlords...

Why does Phil hate kids in Africa so much?

I for one hate this move and wish nothing but the worst for Phil. The James Randi Educational Foundation is doomed.

/this is fark so I felt this thread needed at least some unfounded negativity

Atypical Person Reading Fark: Unfortunately, James Randi's sense of scientific method is about as sketchy as that of the people he tries to debunk.

Always best to head into an investigation with neutral hypotheses (and to consider all available hypotheses, not just the one with which you're currently enamored).

Especially the Bible.

I knew this was gonna happen.

James Randi's website is responsible for my skepticism, and Phil Plait is a great choice! CONGRATS PHIL!

The James Gandolfini Institute? Neat!

Githerax: Is this "cool"? I am skeptical.

Tell us your hypothesis on the matter at hand.

Atypical Person Reading Fark: Unfortunately, James Randi's sense of scientific method is about as sketchy as that of the people he tries to debunk.

Always best to head into an investigation with neutral hypotheses (and to consider all available hypotheses, not just the one with which you're currently enamored).

Randi is a magician and he knows how the tricks are performed. That's why he goes in with a non-neutral hypothesis.

Congrats Phil. I was worried for a long time about an heir to Randi. You fit the bill nicely.

Woot! Congrats to Phil.

Please send me some money, Mr. Look At Me I Got A Job!"

Wohooo congrats, Phil!

I demand whiskey and cake to celebrate!

WHISKEY AND CAKE!

WHISKEY AND CAKE!

WHISKEY AND CAKE!

/Viva Nepal.

Go Phil. JREF couldn't have made a better choice.

Huzzahs to you Phil!

Is that a giant telescope or are you just happy to have your own thread?



/hotlinked on your own petard
//congrats

A great choice. So hard to think of anyone continuing the work that Randi has done, but Phil Plait has already shown the same passion for blowing away the fog of misunderstandings and falsehoods that blight 'common knowledge'. Keep up the good work...

Are you feeling Randi, Phil?

Randi, baby, yeah!

way to go!

*does a stirring the pot white man dance.*

Watchman: Joelogon: I'm gonna need proof of this claim. And it has to be under scientifically valid, controlled, blind, and reproducible testing.

And no lifting the table with your knee. Again.

/I *hope* that was your knee.

If it wasn't his knee, I want his number.

ManRay: I loved the "debate" that Phil did with Joe Rogan about the moon landings being fake.

What was the debate?

I think non-neutrality is justified at this point. If you proposed a means to achieve perpetual motion, every scientist is going to approach that idea in a non-neutral way, because there is so much existing evidence that it is impossible. So it is with magic.

Ok, the first thing he needs to do is announce the the cost to attend TAM7 is going to be cut in half. $600 for a weekend conference - even with the chance to meet Penn and Teller, N.DeGrasse-Tyson, and the Mythbusters -- its too gardanged much. Cut the price in half and get a whole heck of a larger crowd.

/I think they just want to keep all the smarts to themselves

I've caught Phil on coast to coast a few times and used to hit his website.

Randi is leaving a big pair of shoes to fill. Phil Plait is just the man to take over. While he may not have the showmanship of Randi, he is an excellent speaker.

Give em hell, Phil

What's a neutral hypothesis? Do you mean null hypothesis? Assume there is no relationship between control and experimental groups, until you find otherwise. That's science. For example, if you claim you're psychic and can see which card I'm secretly looking at up by reading my mind, the default position is no, you can't do that, until you achieve results indicating otherwise.

Atypical Person Reading Fark: "Unfortunately, James Randi's sense of scientific method is about as sketchy as that of the people he tries to debunk."

Yep, hoping this Phil guy bumps it up a notch or ten. The skeptical movement went sideways right around the time it became the Randi/Shermer show and they lost skepticism of everything but themselves.

Phil, the bad astronomer, blogger and fellow Farker is now president of the James Randi Educational Foundation.

A million bucks if he can prove it.

ManRay: I loved the "debate" that Phil did with Joe Rogan about the moon landings being fake. Those episodes of PennRadio were some of my favorites.

Very true I enjoyed them too, but was it just me or did anybody else want to take a baseball bat to Rogan's knees everytime he would dodge the issue and introduce little side points that took both of them away from the arguement.

Raccoon Dog: ManRay: I loved the "debate" that Phil did with Joe Rogan about the moon landings being fake.

What was the debate?

That's a bad example. Plait is a good guy and a decent debater, but he got steamrolled by Rogan's BS barrage. He let Rogan pigeonhole him on non sequiturs like von Braun's trip to Antarctica. Rogan controlled that debate, unfortunately, through shear belligerence.

Still, this is good news. I'm glad JREF will continue. Congrats Phil.

Ooops, became skeptical of everything but themselves. Need more coffee.

So there's a whole foundation to educate James Randi? I wish my second grade teacher could see this. She thought I was the worst student.

Dear Mister and Mrs Freakstorm.
Little Harry has the most annoying ability to dissappear. I turn my back to the chalkboard and when I turn back, he's gone. The school staff and I search for him but he's no where to be found. He obviously leaves to school property.

Harry seems to be moderately intelligent and completes any task put before him quickly and efficiently. He works best alone and actually has moments of brilliance. However, part of the educational structure is staying in class. Harry must remain in his seat for the entire class.

Signed
Harry's Second Grade Teacher

I'll read the aticle. Tomorrow. Test isn't until Wednesday anyways. The information will be fresher.

DPoem: WHISKEY AND CAKE!

That reminds me, I need to pick up some whiskey.

Congratulations!

Atypical Person Reading Fark: and to consider all available hypotheses

Your razor appears dull. Here, use this one...