The 87th Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle: Dirty Limericks Edition

You know, after over three years of existence and nearly two years that I've been entrusted with the responsibility of organizing it, I thought I had seen pretty much every possible permutation of how the Skeptics' Circle could be hosted. We've had cartoons, soda machines, stories, raucous meetings in pubs, and a whole bunch of other cool ideas, mixed in with some "just the facts, m'am," straight ahead hosting. But there's one permutation we haven't had yet:

A Dirty Limericks edition. Now, thanks to Akusai at Action Skeptics, we do. Even better, it's the usual excellent crop of skeptical blogging showcased within the (sort of) dirty limericks.

Next up is G at Jyunri Kankei, where the 88th Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle is scheduled to land two weeks hence on June 5. And, believe me, after Jenny McCarthy's little march of the morons on Washington, D.C. on June 4, to bring antivaccinationism to our legislators with the brilliantly Orwellian "Green Our Vaccines" slogan, we'll definitely be in dire need of some skepticism. So, bloggers, start thinking of topics you'd like to cover and be sure to give G lots of ammunition for the next meeting.

Finally, as usual, if you want to host one of these puppies (and what skeptical blogger wouldn't), review the schedule and guidelines for submission, as well as the guidelines for hosts, and then drop me a line. I'll fire up the super-secret blog inspector (just to make sure you're not a closet creationist, HIV/AIDS denier, or homeopath, or something like that, trying to infiltrate the Circle), and if you pass you'll be placed on the schedule to host.

What could be fairer than that?

The 86th Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle: A bitch of a meeting!

Sometimes being a skeptic can be a real bitch. And no one knows that better than the host of the latest installment of a blog carnival that has, believe it or not, been running over three years now, the ever-popular Skepbitch. She's served up a heaping helping of the best skeptical bitching from the last two weeks. Head on over and enjoy!

Next up to host is Action Skeptics on May 22. If you're a blogger, start getting your best skeptical posts ready to submit for the next Skeptics' Circle.

Finally, as always, if you're interested in hosting, check out the schedule and guidelines, as well as the guidelines for hosts, and then drop me a line. I'll check out your blog to make sure that you at least sometimes post skeptical content using critical thinking and that you don't have a secret crush on Sylvia Browne, and then get you on the schedule.

Better a little late than never, I'm happy to say that the 85th Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle has arrived at Andrea's Buzzing About:. What is it about Andrea anyway? And what is this obsession about looking under rocks? What will be found under all those rocks? There's only one way to find out!

Next up to host is The Skepbitch. Now if there's a name for a blog that is better for a host of the Skeptics' Circle, I can't think of it right now. In a mere two weeks, the Circle will once again meet, this time on Thursday, May 8. Start sharpening your skeptical pen to produce searing bits of skepticism appropriate to the host, and then join us in two weeks. Finally, as usual, if you're interesting in hosting a Circle, check out the schedule and guidelines and the guidelines for hosts to get an idea of what's involved, and then drop me a line at orac@scienceblogs.com.

The 84th Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle

...at Archaeoporn.

And it's a good one too, served up in a straightforward, no-nonsense style. As much as I like the sometimes wild creativity some hosts bring to hosting the Circle, there's definitely something to be said for a well-organized, well-introduced, "just the facts, M'am" sort of presentation, and that's what we have here. That, and lots of good skeptical blogging served up for your browsing edification. March your way through the links at the 84th Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle, and you won't be disappointed.

Next up to host is Andrea's Buzzing About:. Her shot at hosting the Circle is scheduled for two weeks hence, on April 24. So, skeptical bloggers, start writing your best stuff, and, remember, the creationist propaganda film Expelled! is scheduled to be released on April 18. I'm sure it will be a major topic of the Circle, but by no means the only one. After all, like Jenny McCarthy, Ben Stein has descended into a state that only deserves contempt from rational, science-minded individuals who tend to like the Circle.

Finally, I'm always looking for hosts. I had thought of making the Circle a once-a-week affair because the wait for hosts had gotten a bit long. Ultimately, I decided not to because I don't want to risk diluting what has been far often than not excellent quality and the wait is not quite as bad as it once was. (That hosting this little shindig is so popular is a tribute to how great a job our hosts have been doing and the quality of the submissions that each Circle features.) So, if you think you have what it takes to host a Circle, peruse the schedule and guidelines and then the guidelines for hosts. Then, if you--yes, you!--think you have what it takes, drop me a line at orac@scienceblogs.com. I'll peruse your blog to make sure you're not a closet creationist or woo-meister and then get you on the schedule.

Do it. It's fun.

The 83rd Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle: You're all Expelled!

I have to hand it to Mike, the host of this week's Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle. He's decided to do something that I never would have thought possible: He's gotten Ben Stein to introduce the entries to this week's festival of skeptical thinking--which is why you're all "expelled"!

Go check it out and be amused. I find, however, that it helps to get the full effect if you imagine Stein's whiny nasal voice reading it to you.

Next up to host is Archaeoporn on Thursday, April 10. (Archaeoporn? Oh, no, the word "porn" is in there! Godless Darwinists!) In any case, bloggers, start getting your best skeptical bits ready to submit for the next meeting!

Finally, as always, if you're a blogger and are interested in hosting one of these meetings, all you have to do is check out the schedule and guidelines and then peruse the guidelines for hosts. If after that you still think you have what it takes, skeptically speaking, then drop me a line at orac@scienceblogs.com. I'll peruse your blog to make sure I'm not dealing with a closet creduloid, and then get you on the schedule forthwith!

The 82nd Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle: The Genesis of the Skeptics' Circle

Having just perused the 82nd Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle over at Happy Jihad's House of Pancakes, I was left with one question? Was the Founder of the Circle, the not late but still lamented St. Nate (mainly because he left the blogosphere and took his blog down) God? Is Orac his son? And what is the significance of all this prophecy and religious imagery?

It's all so confusing.

The only way to find out is to check it out. The kid's got promise.

Next up is an experienced host of the Skeptics' Circle, Mike over at Mike's Weekly Skeptic Rant (and, believe me, the title of the blog is accurate, except that it's more than once a week), who will be taking the reins for the Circle that is set to land on March 27. So send him some examples of your best skeptical blogging, and join us then. The prophecy says that you will come, after all, and you know what happens to those who try to thwart a divine prophecy.

Finally, if you--yes, you!--are interested in trying your hand at hosting one of these puppies, peruse the schedule and guidelines, plus the guidelines for hosts, and if you're still interested (and who wouldn't be?) drop me a line at oracknows@gmail.com. Your site will be subjected to a rigorous screening process consisting of me looking it over to make sure you're not a woo-meister trying to put one over on us skeptics, after which I'll get you on the schedule. You won't regret it, whether you've done it before or are a newbie.

The 81st Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle: Leap Day Edition!

This year's a Leap Year, as it so happens, and it turns out that Leap Day is tomorrow. Unfortunately for "alternative medicine" mavens, conspiracy theorists, and lovers of woo everywhere, that means that the Skeptical Conspiracy to Suppress All Dissent--I mean, the Skeptics' Circle--is meeting over at--where else?--The Conspiracy Factory, where, just as woo-meisters have always suspected, skeptical bloggers everywhere are taking their instructions from their nefarious leader, who bears an uncanny resemblance to...well, you'll have to go over to the 81st Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle to find out.

Next up on the schedule to continue the conspiracy is Bing McGhandi over at Happy Jihad's House of Pancakes, who will be taking over the reins for the Circle for the next meeting, now scheduled for Thursday, March 13. If you're a skeptical blogger and want to join the conspiracy (and, believe me, you don't want to get on our Leader's bad side), start preparing your best skeptical blogging to submit to Bing. If you really want to get on our Leader's good side and become a leader in the conspiracy (and, make no mistake, it's better to be a leader than a sheeple), then check out the Skeptics' Circle schedule and guidelines and some guidelines for hosting and drop me a line. If your blog passes a perusal by our Illuminati overlords, I'll be happy to add you to the schedule.*


*For the irony-challenged, that stuff about the Illuminati and conspiracy was a lot of joking and sarcasm, although not the part about not wanting to get on our Leader's bad side.

The 81st Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle: There has been a change of plans this week

Due to the unfortunate intrusion of real life into blogging resulting in the inability of this week's previously scheduled host to be able to fulfill his hosting duties for the February 28 edition of the Skeptics' Circle, there has been a last minute change of hosts for the next Circle. The 81st Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle will now be hosted by Factician at the Conspiracy Factory. Instructions for submitting posts are now found here, and I will forward the submissions that were sent to me to our new host. Help him out and send him your best skeptical entries following the usual guidelines.

The 80th Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle: Is Valentine's Day the right time for skepticism?

Of course Valentine's Day is the right time for skepticism! What better time? If you don't believe me, visit Bug Girl's Blog for the 80th Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle: Valentine Edition! She'll show you why there's no time like today for a healthy dose of critical thinking.

Next up is (I think) Sorting Out Science on February 28. I would be remiss in my organizing duties, however, if I didn't inform you that it is quite possible that there might be a change in hosts before then. Don't worry, though. For now, just send submissions both to Sam Wise and me. If a host switch occurs, I'll make sure your submissions get to the new host. If it doesn't, you're covered too.

Finally, if you're interested in hosting, head on over to the Skeptics' Circle archive site and check out the schedule and hosting guidelines. Then drop me a line.

The 79th Skeptic’s Circle - Rollin With Teh Lol-ling

Ack!

The new Skeptic's Circle is here! Yes, the 79th Meeting of the Skeptics' Circle has convened over at Podblack Blog, and it's another great collection of skeptical blogging. So why am I disturbed? I just realized that I've utterly failed in my organizer duties in that I totally forgot to submit one of my own posts to the Circle. The shame! Even worse, the Circle's just fine without me; if I hadn't pointed it out I doubt that anyone would have noticed that I hadn't submitted anything.

So why point it out?

Actually, in a way it's a very good thing. It just goes to show that the Skeptics' Circle is bigger than any one person or blogger. It doesn't need me and no doubt would go on in some incarnation or another if I ever had to give up being its organizer. That's a good thing.

So, here's hoping the Circle is still there for decades to come, a beacon of sanity and reason in the cesspit of credulity that is the blogosphere. Now go over and read it.