Expanded Links

The BIG LIST of links worth visiting

Skepticism:

A few sites for skepticism, the movement which seeks to see the world through logic and science and dismisses superstition and unfounded beliefs as hampering the ability of people to understand their environment for what it really is.

Major Organizations:
The JREF- (The James Randi Educational Foundation) James Randi, one of the best known skeptics offers a million dollars to prove the paranormal and has a foundation with a great member community and an important mission.
The Amazing Meeting - The annual meeting of the foundation and other JREF events. It truly is amazing.
The Skeptic Society – Headed by Dr. Michael Shermer and publisher of Skeptic Magazine, the Skeptic society is one of the leading organizations in the skeptical movement.
Committee for Skeptical Inquiry - Formerly known as the Committee For Scientific Inquiry of Claims of the Paranormal, the name change reflects the broad and varied activities of one of the best known skeptical organizations. Publishers of Skeptical Enquirer magazine.
Australian Skeptics – One of the most prominent national skeptical organizations.

Smaller Sites, Blogs or More Specialized:
Bad Psychics – Is there a such thing as a “Good Psychic?” Probably not. But this site has more than a few bad ones. Great media and videos!
Skeptico - Critical thinking in an irrational world
Doubtful News - A great site on news of dubious validity

Info and Reference:
The Skeptic’s Dictionary - Information on every relevant topic imaginable.
SkepticWiki – The Encyclopedia of Science and Critical Thinking with much useful information.
Skeptic Reports - Our good friend Claus reports on and investigates and finds things are often less than they seem.
Crank.net – “Web sites by and about cranks, crankism, crankishness, and crankosity. All cranks, all the time” Something of an oddball, but full of useful and fun information.

Myths and Facts:
Weed out the truth from the fiction and commonly held beliefs which may or may not be true.

Snopes – The urban legend reference and research page. Chain letters and web legends: a few are true, but most not.
MythBusters (official) – The popular TV show on Discovery, where myths are put to the test. Also includes some very large explosions.
MythBusters Fan Club - A site community created by fans of mythbusting.
The Straight Dope – Website of Cecil Adams’ syndicated column. Cecil cuts through the spin and banter and gives the straight dope on submitted questions.

Anti-Bad Science:
Something of an offshoot of the Skepticism sites, here are some sites which deal with bad science, bad medicine and all the problems it can cause.

Quackwatch – A nonprofit site devoted to providing information on medical scams, scamsters and bad science. Worth visiting!
Science-Based Medicine – A blog which promotes good science and evidence based medicine and helps expose quackery and deceptive practices.
Bad Astronomy -Dr. Phil Plait’s website. Contains humorous and useful information on the good and the bad side of space science.
BadScience.net - Ben Goldacre’s Bad science column from the Guardian and more. One of the highest profile anti-bad science sites on the web.
Pharyngula -PZ’s blog takes on bad science, primarily in biology, but other fields of bad science are not safe either. Both entertaining and informative.
SKAPP – (Scientific Knowledge and Public Policy) Defending science and opposing anti-science policies.

Good Science:

Fortunately the web does not only have bad science, but also some very good science sites. There are too many to list here, but here are a few.

Scienceblogs - Hosts more science-oriented blogs than you can shake a stick at.

Publications:
Scientific American – One of the oldest and most respected science-oriented publications around.
SciAm Blog - The Scientific American blog is a bit more informal and updated frequently.
Discover Magazine - Another good science publication, focusing on new discoveries and cutting edge research.
Science Daily - Daily news reports on all things science. A great website for broad and complete science news.
New Scientist – Excellent publication covering recent developments in science and technology with daily updates to the website.

Peer Reviewed Journals:
Nature - One of the best known general science journals.
Science - Published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Scientific Organizations:
National Science Foundation – An independent agency of the US government, promoting science, research and education.
National Academy Of Sciences – Independent advisers on science, technology and medicine. The preeminent standard-bearer of science and technology in the United States.
American Association for the Advancement of Science - Publishers of “Science.” Major organization promoting cooperation between scientists and encouraging scientific education and outreach.
British Association for the Advancement of Science – Counterpart to the AAAS, the BAAS promotes science in Great Brittan.
International Council for Science - An international, non-government association for the advancement of science and cooperation in scientific education and research.
Joint Research Center – European Union association for independent science and technical advisory.
World Health Organization – The UN Sponsored Health authority, provides leadership and standards in medicine, health and health sciences.
International Astronomical Union - The most esteemed body in astronomy and authority of astronomical sciences. Who decides what constitutes a planet or what the name of a newly discovered moon is? The IAU.
IUPAC - The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
American Medical Association -One of the largest and national associations of medicine and medical sciences.
Health Physics Society - Experts in radiation safety and noteworthy for the outstanding information and public outreach programs offered. If your afraid your cell phone is going to kill you, the HPS can set you straight.

Very Very Bad Science:

There are far too many websites pushing bad science, woo, flim-flam or whatever else you want to call it. Here are just a few examples. Visit them to laugh at them, but please be careful or you might become infected with stupid.

Coast to Coast AM – A radio show about anything and everything that doesn’t exist. Topics include alien encounters during the Apollo Program and how the Apollo Program was faked. (yeah.. seriously)
Richard Hoagland’s Enterprise Mission – In the 1970’s Richard Hoagland saw some images from Mars that kinda sorta looked like a face, when under the correct lighting. And this is the result.
North American Society Of Homeopathics – In North America, the NASH is the premier authority on homeopathics. They assure the quality of these products, which don’t actually work.
Alternative Science – A website about all the theories which science has long discounted as laughable.
Futurehorizons - Want to buy a time machine? A mind control device? A bridge in Brooklyn? Contact these guys.
Steorn – Marketers of the perpetual motion device that… wasn’t.
Natural News – Possibly the very worst site EVER

Podcasts:

Information and intellectual stimulation on your computer or on the go via iPod or other MP3 player.
Skeptics Guide to the Universe – An especially good podcast because Rebecca does it.
Skeptoid – Another good podcast of skepticism and anti-bad science.
Science Magazine Podcast – The Podcast of AAAS and Science Magazine
Scientific American Podcasts – Informative and interesting. Some excellent listening in the archive.

Amateur Science And Fun:

ordinary people, in their spare time can sometimes make amazing discoveries. Other times they may just make something cool or blow something up.

Society for Amateur Scientists – Helping ordinary people do extraordinary science. The SAS is an excellent resource for anyone looking to change the world or just have some fun.
Science Hobbyist – Resources, information and materials for those looking to have fun or learn about science.
Fusor.net – People who build nuclear fusion reactors for fun. No.. really!
Altair – Exploring the electromagnetic spectrum and other interesting experiments and projects.
Powerlabs - Sam Barros, a graduate student at Michigan Technological University, has some rather powerful stuff in his laboratory.
Dangerous Laboratories – Not everyone listens to the “Don’t try this at home” disclaimer.
Make – Why buy when you can make some pretty amazing stuff? The website and publication of those who see the words “No user serviceable components” as a challenge.
Amateur Astronomy – Website and magazine on amateur and semi-pro astronomy. One of the most rewarding amateur science pursuits.
The ARRL – The American Radio Relay League is one of the oldest and largest national organizations for amateur radio operators or “Hams.”
Amsat – Amateur built and operated satellites for anyone with an amateur radio license to uplink with.
SETI League< – The Search For Extra Terrestrial Intelligence and other radioastronomy research conducted with backyard dishes and homebrew receivers.

Refrences and Information Services:

Aside from Google and Wikipedia here are a few interesting and useful sites you may like

Information and Reference:
How Stuff Works – Learn how everything works in a simple, but not “dumbed down” collection of articles and guides on all manner of science and technology.
Encyclopedia Astronautica – A very comprehensive website on all things related to space exploration. It includes nearly every spacecraft and space project ever to be built or just proposed.

Searches and Services:
Google Patents – The amazing search technology of Google applied to modern and historical patents.
Google Earth – Free software lets you view satellite photos of your house, military bases, cities and anywhere else you can think of. Also 3D buildings and terrain.
Flash Earth - View Google Earth content in your browser and also easily switch to MSN, Yahoo or Ask maps and photos. Great for places which aren’t covered by high resolution images by all services.
Archive.org - The internet archive has a massive amount of open-source and public domain media plus the “Wayback Machine” allows you to see websites that have changed or been taken down.
Tineye – One of the most unique search engines around, Tineye searches for image matches from pictures you upload directly or provide a url link to.

Interesting Info:

A few sites that are fun to cruise if you have some extra time and want to see some useful or interesting information.

Damn Interesting – From odd history to offbeat ideas to interesting science it all has one thing in common: It’s damn interesting!
The Darwin Awards – It’s not funny when somebody gets hurt or killed. But…
Theodore Gray’s Element Collection – One man’s effort to collect every element on the periodic table, or at least those which have a reasonably long half-life.
Health Physics Historical Instrumentation Museum – Interesting historical equipment, toys and devices from the the world of radiation safety.
Museum Of Retro Technology – Technology which is not just obsolete.. it’s also a bit strange.
Retro Future – The future as it was… thought it was going to be… or something.
Modern Mechanix – “Yesterday’s Tomorrow Today” this site contains scans of old science and technology magazines showing the cutting edge of the time. Really fascinating!