Welcome to the Third edition of the Skeptical Parent Crossing blog carnival – with all the Santa screaming joy it 
entails!
Authors Denise Joyce and Nancy Watkins know at least 250 toddlers who are. The two recently published a book called “Scared of Santa: Scenes of Terror in Toyland” that shows photos of children on St. Nick’s lap — most of whom are desperate to leave.
The project started at the Chicago Tribune, where both Joyce and Watkins work. They asked readers to send in their photos and got an overwhelming response that’s still going strong. Last week, the Tribune’s “Scared of Santa” Web site had 2 million hits.
Whether you embrace the ‘silly season’ or question it like a good skeptical toddler, here’s some great reading for everyone who cares for skepticism and for the next generation. Let’s read on!
First, Philosophy Dad presents Santa is a Tool posted at Philosophy Dad. Oh dear, I think that’s what the kid in the picture thinks too, but in a different way…
Two questions arise. First, how much fun is believing in Santa Claus, anyway? And second, is it enough fun to warrant lying about?
PJ Rooks presents Santa Who? posted at Claire’s Booklist – a great book review that I really want to find!
Now isn’t the truth so much more interesting than the fiction? In creating Santa Who?, Gibbons has sifted through a mountain of information and has successfully whittled it down to a small set of facts that is both manageable and within the attention span of most little kids.
Shen-Li Lee presents the insightful World AIDS Day posted at Babylicious – a recap of a day that many of us acknowledge during December and for good reasons.
Dr.V presents Melamine in U.S. Formulas – Why I’m Not Concerned posted at Parenting Solved, saying, “This post helps squelch the hysteria associated with the recent news about melamine in US infant formulas”.
Brad Salomons presents Five Key Elements of a Science Fair Project posted at THE SKEPDAD BLOG:
Having spent a short part of my career as a science teacher, I think I can offer a little bit of insight to those who happen across this site for that particular purpose. So, continuing with a “Week of Lists” on the skepdad blog, here are Five Key Elements of a Science Fair Project.
Podblack Cat blog wrote about Skeptical Parenting – Suggested Books For A Birthday in celebration of a friend who was looking for good baby-rearing books before she got started – and what were five popular buys in bookstores for beginning parents.
Emma presents Another myth busted: nuts and allergies don’t go hand in hand posted at Baby-Log, saying, “Why we shouldn’t go nuts about nuts and allergies – Coming from a trusted source (lifescience.com), this article made me doubt the “nuts = allergies” rule. Is it possible that we are over reacting here?”
Last but never least – it’s the great Blake presents Practical Skepticism posted at Domestic Father!
Skepticism, as I have said before, requires constant vigilance, a constant re-examining of our thought processes. In an attempt to clarify my own process, I will be laying out the basic methods of skepticism and critical thinking I employ when facing real-life decisions. Over the next 2 weeks, I will be posting articles that outline my basic steps of critical thinking.
This entry wasn’t sent in but I just must mention it – I hope that science-encouraging parents out there enjoy this great (and winning!) read by Neurotopia (Version 2.0) for Happy Birthday, PLoS ONE! They were recognised for their great entry called “Einstein was smart, but could he play the violin?” which looks at the paper on PLos: Forgeard et al., 2008 – “Practicing a musical instrument in childhood is associated with enhanced verbal ability and nonverbal reasoning”!!
But the question is: did they do me any good? Does playing ‘Baby Mozart’ really do anything, and is anything achieved by starting your child on Suzuki when they are 2, other than the pain and misery of your child, and possibly an eventual love of music? Can it, perhaps, make me SMARTER?
In conclusion, if you’re looking for some ideas for a good scientific investigation of ‘how Santa could be’ – check out i09′s Five Sci-Fi Rebirths For Santa Claus!
Have a great season of skepticism regardless and remember, you can submit your blog article to the next edition of Skeptical Parent Crossing using the carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on the blog carnival index page – it’ll be The Skepdad Blog!
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