Orac is the nom de blog of a humble surgeon/scientist who has an ego just big enough to delude himself that someone, somewhere might actually give a rodent's posterior about his copious verbal meanderings, but just barely small enough to admit to himself that few probably will. That surgeon is otherwise known as David Gorski.
That this particular surgeon has chosen his nom de blog based on a rather cranky and arrogant computer shaped like a clear box of blinking lights that he originally encountered when he became a fan of a 35 year old British SF television show whose special effects were renowned for their BBC/Doctor Who-style low budget look, but whose stories nonetheless resulted in some of the best, most innovative science fiction ever televised, should tell you nearly all that you need to know about Orac. (That, and the length of the preceding sentence.)
DISCLAIMER:: The various written meanderings here are the opinions of Orac and Orac alone, written on his own time. They should never be construed as representing the opinions of any other person or entity, especially Orac's cancer center, department of surgery, medical school, or university. Also note that Orac is nonpartisan; he is more than willing to criticize the statements of anyone, regardless of of political leanings, if that anyone advocates pseudoscience or quackery. Finally, medical commentary is not to be construed in any way as medical advice.
To contact Orac: [email protected]
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7 replies on “The 110th Meeting of the Skeptics’ Circle”
It’s a little off topic for this post, but tonight on “Law and Order: SVU” they involved a baby who died of measles encephalitis caught from a little boy who’s mother did not vaccinate her kid.
I thought it was a pretty decent episode- however I was annoyed that they made the one lead female character “sympathetic” to the stupid anti-vaxxer mom (“it’s her choice!”). They also trotted out all the canards about the side-effects of MMR (“you forgot one…death!”).
Anyway. Just thought I’d share.
The next one would be the 111th, wouldn’t it? Mine was 109, and Waffle’s will be 110 if they ever get their act together.
Just spotted, you accidentally put 109 twice on the schedule – doh! I should have waited until you had the celebratory 200th edition out, then ruined your party 😛
Awww dammit, it looks like Dr. Jay Gordon found this link to my contact info! He’s emailing me now and has obviously read my profile. =/
Entirely your fault! =P
As host of the Skeptics’ Circle, you have the final say in what is and is not included in your Circle. You can decline to use his submission if you wish. Alternatively, you are free to accept it and make fun of it. I do, however, caution hosts about using this option too liberally and to be very, very sure that you’re using it against a pseudoscience booster. It would not do to be making fun of a skeptic making a legitimate contribution.
By the way, Dr. Jay has been e-mailing me trying to get me to go full conspiracy mode against the “orchestration” of the swine flu scare. He should be very, very careful what he asks for. He might get it and not like it when he does.
Oh, no, he didn’t submit anything, he’s just trying to get me to post something about the swine flu.
Because I couldn’t decide, I’m currently taking a vote on how this next Skeptic’s Circle will be themed.