Hoaxes, Pseudoscience & the Paranormal

Hoaxes



• DHMO.org - Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division
  Information resource about the dangers of DHMO. The ominous-sounding compound is actually H2O, or water. Content includes the DHMO FAQ, a definitive primer on the subject, plus reports on the environment, cancer, current research, and an insider exposé about the use of DHMO in the dairy industry.
  
  
• Hoax Sites
  A listing a several hoax websites including the first human male ever to give birth.
  
  
• The Museum of Hoaxes
  A reference guide to hoaxes, pranks, practical jokes, frauds, tricks, and other forms of deception.
  
  
• The Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus
  This site is used in many instructional programs on the detection of hoax Web sites. It focuses on the (fictitious) endangered Pacific Northwest tree octopus, which has been spotted on the eastern side of the Olympic mountain range, adjacent to Hood Canal.
  

      Pseudoscience & the Paranormal

• 15 Answers to Creationist Nonsense
  Creationist pseudoscience vs. evolution debate. Opponents of evolution want to make a place for creationism by tearing down real science, but their arguments don't hold up. This article was published in Scientific American.
  
  
• Bad Astronomy
  The Bad Astronomy web pages are devoted to airing out myths and misconceptions in astronomy and related topics. The author is an astronomer who works at the physics and astronomy department at Sonoma State University.
  
  
• Distinguishing Science and Pseudoscience
  Outlines the major characteristics of pseudoscience including its appeal to people's emotions, its avoidance of meaningful tests, and its inability to progress.
  
  
  
  
• Frauds, Myths and Mysteries
  Links to all of the web sites that are listed in the Best of the Web sections of each chapter of Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology. Available in the CGCC Library.
  
  
• Quackwatch
  Consumer guide to health fraud, quackery, and intelligent decision making on traditional and alternative health topics.
  
  
• The Skeptic's Dictionary
  Alphabetical collection of strange beliefs, amusing deceptions, and dangerous delusions.
  
  
• Skeptical Inquiry
  Google Directory category that has many links to pseudoscience topics.
  
  
• The Skeptiseum
  Skeptical museum of the paranormal. Exhibits explore creationism, UFOs and aliens, ghosts, cryptozoology, creationism, alternative medicine, superstitions, and other oddities. Hosted by the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, publisher of Skeptical Inquirer magazine.

  Selected CGCC Library Books on Pseudoscience and the Paranormal

Randles, Jenny
Alien contact: the first fifty years.
BF2050 .R36 1997b

Harrold, Francis B.
Cult archaeology and creationism - understanding pseudoscientific beliefs about the past.
D10.C84 1995

Sagan, Carl
The Demon-Haunted world: science as a candle in the dark.
Q175.S215 1997

Drury, Neville
Dictionary of mysticism and the occult.
REF 1407.D78 1985.

Gardner, Martin
Did Adam and Eve have navels? - Debunking pseudoscience.
Q173.G34 2000.

Encyclopedia of Occultism and parapsychology- a 3 volume set.
REF BF1407.E54

William, William F.
Encyclopedia of pseudoscience.
REF Q157.E57 2000

Guiley, Rosemary
Encyclopedia of the strange, mystical & unexplained.
BF1407.G85 2001

Feder, Kenneth L
Frauds, Myths and Mysteries - science and pseudoscience in archaeology.
CC140.F43 1999

Morgan, Chris
Handwriting analysis.
BF891.M67 1992.

Spaeth, Frank
Mysteries and monsters of the sea : a collection of true stories from the files of Fate magazine.
QL121 .M96 2001

Pearsall, Ronald
Mysterious places of the world.
CC175 .P43 1999

Floyd, E. Randall
100 of the World's Greatest Mysteries
AG243.F69 2000

Hogue, John
Nostradamus & the millennium : predictions of the future
BF1815.N8 H59 1987

Gordon, Stuart
The Paranormal: an illustrated encyclopedia.
BF1025.G6 2000

Williams, Mary E.
Paranormal phenomena - opposing viewpoints.
REF BF1031.P334 2003 -2 copies -  most current copy in Reference, and 1997 copy in Circulating Collection.

Wilson, Colin
Poltergeist!: a study in destructive haunting.
BF1483 .W54 2000

Hines, Terence
Pseudoscience and the paranormal: a critical examination of the evidence. 
BF1042.H55 1988.

Moran, Sarah
Psychics:  the investigators and spies who use paranormal powers. 
BF1040.M67 1999

Wynn, Charles M.
Quantum leaps in the wrong direction.
Q172.5P77 W96 2001.

Strange but true : true stories from the files of Fate magazine.
BF1029 .S77 2000