Activism
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Guest Post: Crowdsourcing Skeptical Outreach on Wikipedia
We recently mentioned (in Skepchick Quickies 4.5) the Smithsonian Archives' Wikipedian in Residence Sarah Stierch who is encouraging more women to edit Wikipedia. Stierch led an effort in March to improve the site's coverage of women scientists. Tim Farley has been encouraging similar efforts by skeptics to edit articles covering skepticism and related topics for several years now. It is…
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AI: Have You A Better Method?
Sometimes you guys send in very thought provoking emails, and we benefit from your knowledge, humor, and insight. And sometimes your emails spark a good discussion. Today's Inquisition subject comes from Skepchick reader, ullrich, who emailed us to say: I’ve been periodically asked via email to sign a change.org petition demanding that Backpage.com shut down their adult ads section, because some…
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For Instant Outrage, Just Add Sex
As a recession-era college grad who was a drop-out for financial reasons for an entire academic year, I have done all kinds of things in my quest to remain financially independent. A lot of the work I did was not exactly anything that I, as a college graduate from an upper middle class background, expected to ever do. Some of…
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Guest Post: Government Free VJJ
Donna Druchunas is an awesome former contributor to Skepchick and current uber-crafter. She emailed me a few days ago to tell me about an amazing initiative she helped launch, in which crafty women's rights activists were knitting up plush wombs to send to the male representatives who so desperately want to get their hands on one. I asked her to…
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But, It’s Just a Troll!
The most recent Rush Limbaugh debacle has brought to the forefront an argument that those of us who engage in activism both online and off often face from those who style themselves as our allies: that we should ignore those who make arguments against us that seem ridiculous, because the person obviously doesn't mean it, and we validate him or…
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Ask Surly Amy: Anti-Intellectualism and Spirit Animals
Dear Surly – The community I have surrounded myself with in college are feminist, social justice activists, and all around awesome people. However…this amazing community came with a great deal of pseudoscience. When were are hanging out (and sometimes even in organizational meetings) there is talk about astrological signs, spirit animals, and quack alternative medicine. I try to challenge them…
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Why I’m Optimistic About Saving Face
Tonight at 8:30 EST, HBO will be airing an Oscar-winning documentary entitled Saving Face. The 40-minute film is about how Dr. Mohammad Jawad, a British-Pakistani plastic surgeon, travels to his country of origin to perform facial reconstructive surgery on women who are victims of acid attacks (warning: graphic images). When I first heard of the film, I was duly skeptical. Many films,…
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Ask Surly Amy: Feminism, Is it Even Worth it?
Dear Surly Amy, Sometimes I feel discouraged in regards to feminism or skepticism or both. I start to question my ideals and goals and wonder if they’re really worth it. Are women really less privileged or does it just seem like it? Am I using my gender as an excuse? Would society really be better off without religion in it?…
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