Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

TagMatt Ridley

mushroom-growing-in-a-landscape-of-a-strange-exoplanet-stock-770687529-stockpack-adobestock
Mushroom growing in a landscape of a strange exoplanet
Type
post
Denyse O'Leary
Date
April 27, 2025
Categorized
Extraterrestrial life, Human exceptionalism
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ET Doesn’t Need to Exist in Order to Do His Real Job

His real job seems to be to support a lame argument about why humans are not exceptional. But the very idea of his existence works just as well
Denyse O'Leary
April 27, 2025
5
Extraterrestrial life, Human exceptionalism
The search for ET itself does the philosophical work of attempting to deflate human “self-importance.” Finding anything is a bonus. Read More ›
alien-planet-landscape-beautiful-forest-the-surface-of-an-exoplanet-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
alien planet landscape, beautiful forest the surface of an exoplanet
Type
post
Wesley J. Smith
Date
April 26, 2025
Categorized
Extraterrestrial life, Human exceptionalism
Tagged

Why Life Beyond Earth Would Prove Human Exceptionalism

A science writer thinks that finding life on other planets in our galaxy would somehow put a dent in our “self-importance”
Wesley J. Smith
April 26, 2025
3
Extraterrestrial life, Human exceptionalism
Actually, human minds created sophisticated instruments that project our understanding light years away, using the scientific method that we created. Read More ›
the-spread-of-misinformation-on-social-media-examining-the-r-931073416-stockpack-adobe_stock
The Spread of Misinformation on Social Media, Examining the role of social media in the dissemination of false information and its consequences on society
Type
post
News
Date
November 27, 2024
Categorized
Censorship, Social Media
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Why Laws Against “Misinformation” Just Can’t Work

Australia has had to back down from fining social media companies for users' alleged misinformation
News
November 27, 2024
5
Censorship, Social Media
Government experts may not be better informed than non-government ones. Banning alternative information multiplies the effect of government misinformation. Read More ›
the-arched-stone-colonnade-with-lanterns-stockpack-adobe-stock
The arched stone colonnade with lanterns
Type
post
Denyse O'Leary
Date
August 19, 2023
Categorized
Media, Philosophy, Politics, Science
Tagged
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When Science Writers Say Things We Hardly Expected…

Some science writers are monotonous boosters for Answers from Science but the better ones challenge themselves, and thus challenge us too
Denyse O'Leary
August 19, 2023
6
Media, Philosophy, Politics, Science
One reason there can’t be Final Answers in science is that the questions keep changing as we learn more, and in some cases we are asking the wrong ones. Read More ›
safety inspection clipboard
Preforming a pre-trip inspection on a truck,Concept preventive maintenance truck checklist,Truck driver holding clipboard with checking of truck,spot focus.
Type
post
Denyse O'Leary
Date
August 11, 2023
Categorized
Peer Review, Philosophy, Science
Tagged
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Science Is Self-correcting? Time for a Reality Check!

In the wake of the Stanford scandal, the reasons why science often ISN’T self-correcting are attracting much more attention
Denyse O'Leary
August 11, 2023
5
Peer Review, Philosophy, Science
Decades ago, better informed people trusted ongoing science research. Today, “Trust the Science!” is becoming a jibe — and for good reason. Read More ›