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DOUBTING MINDS

"Doubting Mind: Great Skeptical Thinkers" is a collection of essays focused on figures known for their critical thinking and skepticism. Edited by David Christopher Lane, the book examines individuals who have challenged paranormal claims and religious assertions, emphasizing the importance of investigation over cynicism. The text includes biographies and analyses of skeptics like Philip J. Klass, James Randi, Brian Cox, Sam Harris, Eugenie Scott, Christopher Hitchens, Paul Krugman, Joe Nickell, Ray Hyman, Susan Blackmore, Adam Savage, Martin Gardner, and Harry Houdini. These profiles explore their backgrounds, key contributions to skepticism, and their methods for examining extraordinary claims. The authors examine each skeptic's work, motivations, and impacts, shedding light on their approaches to understanding the world through reason and evidence. Ultimately, the book celebrates rational inquiry and its role in navigating complex and often irrational beliefs.

Doubt, Minds, and Great Skeptical Thinkers: A Study Guide

Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.

• According to David Christopher Lane, what is the difference between a skeptic and a cynic?
• Briefly describe Philip J. Klass's initial theory regarding UFO sightings and why he eventually abandoned it.
• What was James Randi's "Project Alpha" designed to demonstrate?
• What is Brian Cox's stance on the compatibility of science and religion?
• According to Sam Harris, why is the concept of free will an illusion?
• What is Eugenie Scott's primary concern regarding the teaching of creationism in schools?
• How did Christopher Hitchens view organized religion?
• Explain Paul Krugman's use of the term "zombies" in his book Arguing With Zombies.
• What was Joe Nickell's opinion about the Shroud of Turin?
• How did Ray Hyman's experience as a magician influence his career as a psychologist and skeptic?

• A skeptic, derived from the Greek word skepsis, investigates and researches, while a cynic is predisposed to disbelieve and expresses doubt with sarcasm and sneers. Skeptics gather more information while cynics dismiss ideas without investigation.
• Klass initially believed that many UFO sightings were misidentified instances of ball lightning or plasma. He dropped the theory after plasma experts claimed it was unscientific.
• "Project Alpha" was designed to demonstrate how easily scientists and the public could be deceived by individuals claiming to possess psychic abilities. Two young men were trained in conjuring methods so they could pass tests designed by scientists looking for authentic psychics.
• Brian Cox believes that science and religion are not necessarily incompatible, as long as religion operates within the framework of scientific understanding. He emphasizes that science begins with "I don't know," and it doesn't need to close off the possibility of someone being a scientist because someone has faith.
• Sam Harris argues that free will is an illusion because our choices are determined by thoughts that arise seemingly without a source, influenced by a complex interaction of environment and biology over which we have no ultimate control.
• Eugenie Scott is concerned that teaching creationism or intelligent design in schools undermines the teaching of evolutionary science and promotes non-scientific ideas as scientifically valid.
• Christopher Hitchens believed that organized religions were false, harmful, and authoritarian. He argued that atheism was a more honest and ethical worldview.
• Paul Krugman uses the term "zombies" to describe economic theories or ideas that have been repeatedly disproven by evidence but continue to be believed and promoted by certain individuals or groups.
• Joe Nickell believes that the Shroud of Turin is not the burial cloth of Jesus, but rather a painting on linen made in the 14th century, based on inconsistencies in facial proportions, lack of historical evidence, and radiocarbon dating.
• Ray Hyman's experience as a magician, particularly his work as a mentalist, led him to become fascinated by the psychology of deception and belief, influencing his research into paranormal claims and the development of his skeptical approach.

Write a well-organized essay addressing one of the following prompts. Use evidence from the source material to support your claims.

• Discuss the ways in which the figures profiled in Doubting Mind: Great Skeptical Thinkers have contributed to the scientific understanding of paranormal phenomena and pseudoscience.
• Explore the relationship between skepticism, science, and religion, drawing upon the viewpoints of multiple thinkers discussed in Doubting Mind: Great Skeptical Thinkers.
• Analyze the role of critical thinking in addressing contemporary issues such as climate change, vaccines, and conspiracy theories, referencing the arguments made by the individuals profiled in Doubting Mind: Great Skeptical Thinkers.
• Compare and contrast the skeptical approaches of two or three of the "Great Skeptical Thinkers" discussed in the text, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.
• "We may act like scientists from time to time, but we are not scientists in the long term." Discuss the implications of this quote from David Christopher Lane in relation to the figures and ideas presented in Doubting Mind: Great Skeptical Thinkers.

III. Glossary of Key Terms

• Skepticism: An attitude of doubt or a disposition to incredulity, either in general or toward a particular object. In the context of this book, skepticism involves the application of reason and critical thinking to evaluate claims, especially those lacking empirical evidence.
• Cynicism: An attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others.
• Paranormal: Phenomena that are outside the scope of normal scientific understanding; events or abilities that cannot be explained by known natural laws.
• Pseudoscience: Activities and beliefs that are claimed to be scientific but do not adhere to the scientific method or lack supporting evidence.
• Avionics: The electronics used in aviation.
• UFOlogist: A person who studies unidentified flying objects.
• Ad hominem: An attack on a person's character or motives rather than addressing the substance of their argument.
• Cold Reading: A set of techniques used by mentalists, psychics, and others to appear to know information about a person without prior knowledge.
• Memetics: A theoretical framework that views cultural information as being passed on between individuals in a manner analogous to genes.
• Cognitive Neuroscience: The study of the neural mechanisms underlying cognition.
• Secular Humanism: A philosophy or life stance that embraces human reason, ethics, and justice, while specifically rejecting religious belief, supernaturalism, and pseudoscience.
• Apophenia: The tendency to perceive meaningful connections between unrelated things.
• Cosmology: The scientific study of the origin, evolution, and eventual fate of the universe.
• Dowsing: A technique for finding groundwater, minerals, or other hidden objects by using a forked stick or other hand-held tool.
• Mentalism: A performing art in which the performer displays highly developed mental or intuitive abilities.
• Ganzfeld Experiment: A technique used in parapsychology to test for extrasensory perception, involving sensory deprivation and a "sender" trying to mentally transmit an image to a "receiver."
• Illusion: Something that deceives or misleads perceptually.
• Universal Darwinism: The generalized application of the principles of Darwinian evolution to domains beyond biology, such as culture and memes.
• Telepathy: The paranormal ability to transmit thoughts to other people or to receive thoughts from other people without using any known sensory channels.
• Hypnosis: A trancelike state that resembles sleep but is induced by a person whose suggestions are readily accepted by the subject.
• Spiritualism: A system of belief or religious practice based on supposed communication with the spirits of the dead, especially through mediums.
• Mediumship: The practice of supposedly mediating communication between spirits of the dead and living human beings.
• Peritonitis: Inflammation of the peritoneum, typically caused by bacterial infection either via the blood or after rupture of an abdominal organ.
• New Trade Theory: An economic theory developed by Paul Krugman that looks at economies of scale and network effects that can occur in industries to provide an explanation for why some goods are often produced in one or two countries, when the factors of production that are necessary to produce them are available in many countries.

Okay, here's a briefing document summarizing the main themes and ideas from the provided excerpts from "Doubting Mind: Great Skeptical Thinkers."

Briefing Document: "Doubting Mind: Great Skeptical Thinkers"

Overview:

"Doubting Mind: Great Skeptical Thinkers" is a collection of essays examining the lives and contributions of various figures known for their critical thinking and skepticism, particularly regarding paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. The book emphasizes the importance of investigation and evidence-based reasoning, contrasting skepticism with cynicism. The introduction addresses the human tendency towards gullibility and the emotional underpinnings that can hinder rational thought. The featured skeptics include figures from science, magic, economics, and journalism.

Key Themes and Ideas:

• Defining Skepticism: The book distinguishes skepticism from cynicism. Skepticism is defined as an active process of inquiry and investigation, whereas cynicism is a predisposition to disbelief. As Miguel de Unamuno put it, "Skeptic does not mean him who doubts, but him who investigates or researches as opposed to him who asserts and thinks that he has found." The book advocates for gathering more information, not dismissing ideas outright.
• Human Gullibility and the Need for Critical Thinking: The preface argues that humans are often too quick to accept extraordinary claims without proper scrutiny. This gullibility is possibly an evolutionary adaptation, a "buffering illusion" to cope with the harsh realities of nature. Despite scientific advancements, the book acknowledges that emotional factors and ingrained beliefs can impede rational thinking. "We may act like scientists from time to time, but we are not scientists in the long term. We are vulnerable creatures and our myths and our fairy tales will persist..."
• The Importance of Evidence: A central tenet of the book is the need for evidence to support claims. This echoes Christopher Hitchens' famous quote: "That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”
• Debunking Paranormal Claims: A recurring theme is the debunking of paranormal claims, pseudoscience, and fraudulent practices, particularly in spiritualism and claims of psychic abilities. Several of the featured skeptics (Philip J. Klass, James Randi, Joe Nickell, Ray Hyman, Harry Houdini) dedicated significant portions of their careers to exposing such deceptions.

Featured Skeptics (Summary of Key Points):

• Philip J. Klass: An aerospace journalist and UFO skeptic who used his engineering background to critically analyze UFO sightings. He often faced hostility for his debunking efforts. He believed that many UFO sightings could be explained by atmospheric phenomena or were hoaxes. He famously left a "UFO curse" to UFOlogists who criticized him.
• James Randi: A magician and escape artist who became a prominent skeptic, known for exposing psychics and paranormal claimants. He created a one-million-dollar challenge for anyone who could prove psychic abilities under scientific conditions. He also conducted "Project Alpha" to demonstrate how easily scientists could be fooled by conjuring tricks. Randi stated, “Good evening. I am The Great Randi and I am a cheat, a liar and a charlatan. I will blatantly lie to you but only for entertainment”.
• Brian Cox: A physicist, author, and television personality who addresses science, religion, and climate change. He emphasizes the importance of respecting science as the most reliable source of information. He carefully navigates discussions on God and religion, stressing the importance of operating within an observational framework.
• Sam Harris: A neuroscientist, philosopher, and author known for his critiques of religion and his arguments on ethics, free will, and consciousness. He is known as one of the “Four Horsemen of Atheism.” Harris argues that belief systems inform actions, and criticizes supernatural claims made by major Western religions. He advocates for a materialist, scientific perspective on consciousness. Harris also argues that the concept of free will is incoherent. "Our minds are all we have. They are all we have ever had. And they are all we can offer others.”
• Eugenie Scott: A physical anthropologist and educator who has dedicated her career to defending the teaching of evolution and opposing creationism and intelligent design in schools. She was the Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE).
• Christopher Hitchens: A writer and polemicist who argued against all religions, believing them to be "false, harmful, and authoritarian." He saw doubt as essential for inquiry and innovation. Hitchens reminded, that humanity is so good at pattern-seeking that we remain dutifully unaware of how probability is at the heart of many natural disasters.
• Paul Krugman: An economist known for his work in international trade and his liberal economic views. He argues against "zombie ideas" (disproven theories that persist). Krugman believes in government intervention to address inequality and economic crises.
• Joe Nickell: A paranormal investigator, author, and skeptic who investigates various paranormal claims, including the Shroud of Turin. Nickell has cataloged under 1,066 different personas. Nickell has written that, “we have to think with the organ above the neck rather than the one below?”, meaning to think with your brain and logic, rather than with your heart and superstitions.
• Ray Hyman: A psychologist and skeptic known for his research on decision-making (Hick-Hyman Law) and his investigations of paranormal claims. He co-founded the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI). Hyman stated, “If you are going to have any chance at all to solve any problem, first make sure your facts are correct.”
• Susan Blackmore: A British skeptic, writer, and lecturer who is known for her work on memetics and consciousness. She argues that memes are selfish information that replicate through imitation. Blackmore explains, “Humans appear to be the only species that readily and easily imitate a wide variety of sounds and actions. This suggests that we alone are supporting this second evolutionary process; cultural or memetic evolution.” She sees consciousness as a "grand illusion."
• Adam Savage: Known for his role in the MythBusters television show, he employs the scientific method to test myths and promote critical thinking. Savage sees the scientific methodology as an approach to understanding the truth of the world. Savage has said that skepticism is overly negative nowadays.
• Martin Gardner: A mathematician and science writer who promoted skeptical thinking and debunked charlatans. He made mathematics accessible and enjoyable through games and puzzles. Gardner studied the claims and events that appear not to be explainable by science.
• Harry Houdini: The famous magician and escape artist, Houdini was also a noted debunker of spiritualists and psychics, exposing their fraudulent methods. Houdini stated, “Do not jump to the conclusion that certain things you see are necessarily ‘supernatural,’ or the work of ‘spirits,’ just because you cannot explain them.”

Overall Significance:

The book underscores the importance of skepticism, critical thinking, and evidence-based reasoning in navigating a world filled with extraordinary claims and potential deceptions. It highlights the contributions of individuals who have championed these principles in various fields.

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FAQ on Skepticism and Critical Thinking

• What is the difference between being skeptical and being cynical, and why is this distinction important?
• Skepticism, derived from the Greek word skepsis, means "to look, view, observe" or to investigate and research, contrasting with simply asserting something. Cynicism, conversely, implies a predisposition to disbelieve or doubt sincerity, expressing this through sarcasm and negativity. This distinction is vital because skepticism involves actively seeking more information and evidence before forming a conclusion, while cynicism involves a dismissive attitude. Skepticism is thus a constructive approach to knowledge acquisition, while cynicism can be a barrier to understanding.
• What is the core principle of Hitchens' Razor, and how does it relate to the burden of proof?
• Hitchens' Razor states, "That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence." This principle underscores the importance of evidence in supporting claims. It shifts the burden of proof onto the person making the assertion, relieving others from having to disprove claims made without any supporting evidence.
• How did Philip J. Klass contribute to both the aerospace industry and the skeptical investigation of UFOs?
• Philip J. Klass made significant contributions to the aerospace industry as a pioneer in avionics, writing about inertial navigation systems, infrared missile guidance, and microelectronics for Aviation Week & Space Technology. Simultaneously, he gained prominence as a UFO skeptic, using his engineering background to provide rational explanations for UFO sightings, often attributing them to atmospheric phenomena, hoaxes, or misidentified objects.
• What was James Randi's "Project Alpha," and what did it demonstrate about the scientific study of paranormal claims?
• James Randi's "Project Alpha" involved enlisting two young magicians, Steve Shaw and Mike Edwards, to pose as psychics. Randi, working behind the scenes, helped them fool scientists into believing they possessed genuine psychic abilities using simple conjuring tricks. The project demonstrated how easily scientists could be deceived by cleverly executed illusions, highlighting the need for rigorous, transparent, and carefully controlled experimental conditions in paranormal research. It underscored the importance of understanding the methods of deception when studying such claims.
• How does Brian Cox reconcile his scientific understanding with spirituality or religious belief?
• Brian Cox, while not believing in God and rejecting the label "atheist," emphasizes humility in science and acknowledges its current limitations in answering ultimate questions. He views religion as a natural human phenomenon but suggests it should operate within the framework of established scientific facts. He believes that being spiritual or religious is compatible with accepting scientific findings, as long as faith does not lead to the denial of empirical evidence.
• What is Sam Harris's main critique of religion, and what role does rationality play in his skepticism?
• Sam Harris critiques religion for its reliance on unsubstantiated supernatural claims that inform actions, particularly those leading to violence and irrationality. He advocates for rationality, science, and secular ethics as superior means of understanding the world and guiding human behavior. He sees belief systems, especially fundamentalist ones, as potential drivers of destructive behavior, arguing for the necessity of reason in evaluating claims about reality.
• Why was Eugenie Scott so critical of teaching creationism and intelligent design in schools?
• Eugenie Scott opposed the teaching of creationism and intelligent design in science classrooms because they are not scientific theories. She argued that they lack empirical evidence and rely on supernatural explanations, conflicting with the scientific method. She advocated for the teaching of evolution as a well-supported scientific theory, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of science education and promoting critical thinking skills.
• How did Harry Houdini's experiences and skills as a magician contribute to his work as a debunker of spiritualism?
• Harry Houdini, as a skilled illusionist, possessed a deep understanding of deception and trickery. This expertise allowed him to recognize and expose the fraudulent methods used by spiritualists and psychic mediums. He duplicated their supposed feats on stage, revealing how they were achieved through sleight of hand and misdirection, thereby undermining their claims of genuine psychic ability.

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Okay, here's the timeline and cast of characters based on the provided text excerpts:

Timeline of Main Events

• Pre-1900s:
• Harry Houdini born (1874) in Budapest, Hungary.
• Philip J. Klass born (1919) in Des Moines, Iowa.
• Martin Gardner born (1914) in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
• Ray Hyman born (1928) in Chelsea Massachusetts.
• 1940s:
• Christopher Hitchens born (1949) in England.
• Joe Nickell born (1944) in Kentucky.
• Eugenie Scott born (1945).
• Paul Krugman born (1953).
• Susan Blackmore born (1951).
• Adam Savage born.
• Philip J. Klass graduates from Iowa State College with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering (1941).
• James Randi drops out of High School at 17 (1945) to join the circus.
• James Randi born (1928) in Toronto, Canada.
• 1950s:
• Philip J. Klass works as an engineer for General Electric on aviation electronics (1941-1951).
• Philip J. Klass becomes avionics editor for Aviation Week & Space Technology (1952).
• Ray Hyman becomes an associate professor of psychology at Harvard University (1953).
• Ray Hyman publishes Water Witching USA (1959).
• 1960s:
• Philip J. Klass gets involved in UFO skepticism after reading Incidents at Exeter (1966).
• Ray Hyman moves to University of Oregon as an associate professor (1961).
• Joe Nickell wanted by the FBI for fleeing to Canada (1968-1977).
• 1970s:
• Philip J. Klass publishes Secret Sentries in Space (1971).
• Christopher Hitchens mother commits suicide (1973).
• Ray Hyman begins investigations into Uri Geller (1972).
• Joe Nickell becomes a private investigator (1973-1975).
• Martin Gardner and fellow skeptics found CSICOP (1976).
• Christopher Hitchens marries Eleni Meleagrou (1981).
• Eugenie Scott begins her journey to the front lines of the evolution wars (1974).
• 1980s:
• James Randi creates Project Alpha, exposing fake psychics (1979-1983).
• James Randi's The Truth About Uri Geller is published (1982).
• Christopher Hitchens and Eleni Meleagrou divorce (1989).
• Ray Hyman publishes Joint Communiqué, a collaboration with Charles Honorton about Ganzfield experiments.
• 1990s:
• Paul Krugman edits the New York Times since 1999.
• Ray Hyman establishes the Skeptic's Toolbox (1989).
• Susan Blackmore receives the Distinguished Skeptic Award (1991).
• Susan Blackmore begins research on memetics (1995).
• Susan Blackmore releases The Meme Machine (1999).
• Ray Hyman retires (1998).
• 2000s:
• Sam Harris publishes his first book, The End of Faith (2004).
• Joe Nickell marries Diana G. Harris, after discovering he had a daughter and two grandsons with her (2006).
• Eugenie Scott's Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction published (2004).
• Philip J. Klass dies (2005).
• Joe Nickell consults on The Reaping (2007).
• Paul Krugman wins the Nobel Prize in Economics (2008).
• Susan Blackmore divorces Tom Troscianko (2009).
• Ray Hyman received the Philip J. Klass Award by National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS) (2010).
• Ray Hyman received Houdini Hall of Honor award (2011).
• Susan Blackmore marries Adam Hart-Davis (2010).
• 2010s:
• Christopher Hitchens dies of cancer (2011).
• Martin Gardner dies (2010).
• Adam Savage proclaims he'd rather say he is a scientist or critical thinker than skeptic or atheist (2016).
• 2020s:
• Paul Krugman releases Arguing With Zombies (2020).
• Paul Krugman publishes “Will We Flunk Pandemic Economics?” (2020).
• David Christopher Lane edits and publishes Doubting Mind: Great Skeptical Thinkers (2020).

Cast of Characters (Principle People Mentioned)

• Adam Savage: Known for MythBusters.
• Alfred Russel Wallace: Published a new evolutionary theory on the transmutation of species with Charles Darwin in the early 19th century.
• Andrew Cohen: Physicist and co-writer with Brian Cox.
• Anne Traxler: Mother of Philip J. Klass.
• Arthur Conan Doyle: Friend of Harry Houdini and advocate of spiritualism.
• Beatrice "Bess" Rahner Houdini: Harry Houdini's wife and stage assistant.
• Berkeley Harris: Sam Harris's father, television and film actor.
• Bill Moore: UFOlogist who discovered the "Majestic 12" documents.
• Brian Cox: A physicist, author, and television personality.
• Carol Blue: Christopher Hitchens's second wife.
• Carl Sagan: Cosmologist and science communicator.
• Cesar Hernandez: Author of Paul Krugman's biography.
• Charles Darwin: Published a new evolutionary theory on the transmutation of species with Alfred Russel Wallace in the early 19th century.
• Charles Honorton: Parapsychologist who conducted Ganzfeld experiments.
• Cherette: Joe Nickell's daughter.
• Christopher Hitchens: One of the "Four Horsemen of Atheism," known for his criticism of religion.
• David Christopher Lane: Editor of Doubting Mind: Great Skeptical Thinkers.
• Diana G. Harris: Joe Nickell's wife.
• Dick Klinger: Show host who had Uri Geller perform for him.
• Duane Gish: Biochemist and leader in the creationist movement.
• Eleni Meleagrou: Christopher Hitchens's first wife.
• Ella Nickell: (maiden name Turner) Joe Nickell's mother.
• Ehrich Weisz: Harry Houdini's birth name.
• Eugenie Scott: Physical anthropologist and critic of creationism, former director of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE).
• Felisha Jacobus: Author of Harry Houdini's biography.
• Gia Milinovich: Brian Cox's wife.
• Glenn Branch: Co-editor with Eugenie Scott of Not in Our Classrooms: Why Intelligent Design Is Wrong for Our Schools.
• **Harriet Blackstone:" The Great Blackstone", James Randi's inspiration to become a professional magician.
• Harry Houdini: Illusionist, escape artist, and debunker of spiritualists.
• Hee June Park: Author of Philip J. Klass' biography.
• Hilary Swank: Actress who starred in The Reaping.
• Ian McEwan: English author that Christopher Hitchens met.
• Isaac Asimov: Author that highly influenced Paul Krugman.
• J. Wendell Nickell: Joe Nickell's father.
• James Alcock: Member of the Executive Council that presented the In Praise of Reason Award to Ray Hyman.
• James E. McDonald: Physicist who rejected Philip J. Klass's plasma theory on UFOs.
• James Gavan: A physical anthropologist at the University of Missouri, Eugenie Scott's mentor.
• James Moseley: A longtime UFOlogist.
• James Randi: Magician, skeptic, and paranormal investigator.
• Jeff Forshaw: Physicist and co-writer with Brian Cox.
• Jerry Andrus: Magician who appeared on a television station with Ray Hyman.
• Jim Christy: Editor of The New Refugees: American Voices in Canada.
• Jiselle Ramirez: Author of Joe Nickell's biography.
• Joe Rogan: Interviewer of Brian Cox.
• Joe Nickell: Paranormal investigator and skeptic.
• John G. Fuller: Author of Incidents at Exeter, which sparked Philip J. Klass's interest in UFO skepticism.
• Jon D. Miller: Co-author with Eugenie Scott and Shinji Okamoto on Public Acceptance of Evolution.
• Julia Savage: Adam Savage's wife.
• Justin Yuan-Chun Hsu: Author of Christopher Hitchens's biography.
• Karen Stollznow: Host of podcast Point of Inquiry.
• Kimberley Cang: Author of Susan Blackmore's biography.
• Lonnie Zamora: Policeman that Klass claimed made up rumors to stimulate the economy.
• Lorraine: British talk show host that interviewed Brian Cox.
• Martin Amis: English author that Christopher Hitchens met.
• Martin Gardner: Mathematician, science writer, and skeptic.
• Mike Edwards: One of the male in James Randi's project Alpha, who was made to look like a psychic.
• **Mina Crandon:" Margery", a renowned medium debunked by Houdini.
• Nadya Ganew: Philip J. Klass's wife.
• **Neil deGrasse Tyson:" Cosmologist.
• Paul Krugman: American economist and Nobel laureate.
• **Paul Kurtz:" Helped with the creation of CSICOP.
• Peter Hitchens: Christopher Hitchens's brother, a Christian and conservative journalist.
• Philip J. Klass: Aerospace journalist and UFO skeptic.
• Raymond Klass: Father of Philip J. Klass.
• Ray Hyman: Psychologist and skeptic known for his work on cognitive psychology and paranormal investigation.
• Richard Dawkins: Evolutionary biologist who coined the term "meme".
• **Richard Feynman:" Physicist.
• Rosanne Klass: Sister of Philip J. Klass.
• Sam Harris: Neuroscientist, philosopher, author, and prominent figure in the "New Atheism" movement.
• Samuel Benjamin Harris: Sam Harris' birth name.
• Shinji Okamoto: Co-author with Eugenie Scott and Jon D. Miller on Public Acceptance of Evolution.
• **Stephen Hawking:" Science-celebrity.
• Steve Shaw: One of the male in James Randi's project Alpha, who was made to look like a psychic.
• Susan Blackmore: British skeptic, writer, lecturer, and researcher on memetics and consciousness.
• Susan Spivak: Sam Harris's mother, television producer.
• **Theo Houdini:" Brother of Harry Houdini, that he did small magic shows with.
• Tiffany Wang: Author of Martin Gardner's biography.
• Tom Troscianko: Susan Blackmore's first husband.
• **Tristram Clayton:" interviewer of Brian Cox.
• **Tyler Cardena-Wagers:" Author of Brian Cox's biography.
• **Tyner:" Joe Nickell's grandson.
• **Uri Geller:" A magician.
• **Veronica Ramirez:" Author of James Randi's biography.
• **William Edmund Hick:" Contributed to the creation of the Hick-Hyman Law, along with Ray Hyman.
• **William Lane Craig:" Debated with Christopher Hitchens.
• **Wolfgang Metzger:" German psychologist who first conducted the Ganzfeld experiments.
• **Yvonne Jean Hitchens:" Mother of Christopher Hitchens.

I hope this is helpful!

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