# Pseudoscience and the Paranormal **URL:** https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/c/pseudoscience-and-the-paranormal/10.md [Latest](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/categories.md) --- ## [About the Pseudoscience and the Paranormal category](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/about-the-pseudoscience-and-the-paranormal-category/16)
**Author:** [@system](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/system)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2023, 7:49pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/about-the-pseudoscience-and-the-paranormal-category/16 "2023-08-07T19:49:45Z")
Perpetual motion machines, bigfoot, ESP, spoon bending, and other similar topics are discussed in this category. --- ## [Sleep Paralysis and Apparitional Experiences](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/sleep-paralysis-and-apparitional-experiences/7001)
**Author:** [@randy333](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/randy333)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2026, 8:23am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/sleep-paralysis-and-apparitional-experiences/7001 "2026-08-14T08:23:53Z")
I mention sleep paralysis in this post’s title because it’s a title that’s likely to draw more attention than a more specific title tailored to my purposes. I am not strictly interested in sleep paralysis stories. To be … --- ## [Three of the greatest pseudosciences](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/three-of-the-greatest-pseudosciences/7956)
**Author:** [@sgroclkc](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/sgroclkc)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2026, 11:09pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/three-of-the-greatest-pseudosciences/7956 "2026-07-10T23:09:01Z")
The current authoritative nightmares theory, motion sickness theory, and earthquake theory are typical pseudosciences that can neither be verified nor falsified. Scientific theories can be confirmed. introducing s… --- ## [Why I care about truth](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-i-care-about-truth/12021)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2026, 6:03am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-i-care-about-truth/12021 "2026-06-22T06:03:22Z")
This is a post from a friend. I was not in touch with her at the time: With much guidance steering me, I knew I was detoxing the grief from my lungs. I was miserable. Not breathing well, coughing, spitting mucus, and e… --- ## [Redwood trees and evolution](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/redwood-trees-and-evolution/11971)
**Author:** [@donald\_secondary](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/donald_secondary)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2026, 2:40pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/redwood-trees-and-evolution/11971 "2026-05-23T14:40:02Z")
We have proof that redwood trees have 6 strands of DNA. This is impossible given evolution, for if this were the result of evolution, then all life would have this trait. If it is failure of evolution, then on evolutiona… --- ## [Look over there, what Epstein files?" UFO release from the Pentagon](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/look-over-there-what-epstein-files-ufo-release-from-the-pentagon/11970)
**Author:** [@cutslikeaknife](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/cutslikeaknife)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2026, 8:29am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/look-over-there-what-epstein-files-ufo-release-from-the-pentagon/11970 "2026-05-09T08:29:38Z")
--- ## [Dogman and Bigfoot](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/dogman-and-bigfoot/6314)
**Author:** [@ddunnington](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/ddunnington)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2026, 5:51am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/dogman-and-bigfoot/6314 "2026-04-08T05:51:45Z")
Is there really an ongoing war between Dogman and Bigfoot? Inquiring minds would like to know. --- ## [Is There A Simple Solution To The Fermi Paradox?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/is-there-a-simple-solution-to-the-fermi-paradox/11536)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2025, 4:22am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/is-there-a-simple-solution-to-the-fermi-paradox/11536 "2025-12-16T04:22:43Z")
When I was in high school I learned about the Fermi paradox and was firmly in the camp of "of course there’s other complex life out there, given the odds The Drake equation, developed by Frank Drake in 1961, attempts t… --- ## [Sleep paralysis demon physical touch](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/sleep-paralysis-demon-physical-touch/7600)
**Author:** [@larissa](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/larissa)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2025, 9:40am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/sleep-paralysis-demon-physical-touch/7600 "2025-09-15T09:40:07Z")
I was in pain around 11.45pm New Year’s Eve 2016. I went to lay in bed because I was suffering pancreatitis. Earlier I’d YouTubed a pain relieving meditation where you are meant to do it standing. I did it on my back in … --- ## [Oh, this is bad, really bad](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/oh-this-is-bad-really-bad/11614)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2025, 2:32am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/oh-this-is-bad-really-bad/11614 "2025-06-28T02:32:03Z")
Maybe I’m overreacting. Maybe he will go away. Or, maybe, he’s got that sciencey appeal that people love and he’ll keep gaining followers. I’ve only listened to a few Mayim Bialik episodes. She pushes back a little on he… --- ## [CFI video "Effective Teaching of Critical Thinking"](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/cfi-video-effective-teaching-of-critical-thinking/10118)
**Author:** [@phillybruce](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/phillybruce)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2025, 1:40am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/cfi-video-effective-teaching-of-critical-thinking/10118 "2025-05-27T01:40:05Z")
I thought I would start a thread discussing the CFI video “Effective Teaching of Critical Thinking” What are some thoughts? --- ## [Depends what scientists you are talking about](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/depends-what-scientists-you-are-talking-about/11352)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2025, 2:49pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/depends-what-scientists-you-are-talking-about/11352 "2025-02-16T14:49:25Z")
Back when I spent a lot more time arguing directly conspiracy theorists (the bad kind), this is most often where the conversation would go and then die. They couldn’t defend their science, not scientifically, so they att… --- ## [Looking for love in all the wrong places](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/looking-for-love-in-all-the-wrong-places/11323)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2025, 12:19am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/looking-for-love-in-all-the-wrong-places/11323 "2025-01-29T00:19:06Z")
I haven’t watched a cult documentary in a while. This one tugs at the heart. They follow the stories of, mostly women, and also their families. It’s basically dating coaches turned cult leaders. The leader couple was not… --- ## [Be here now, or not](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/be-here-now-or-not/11309)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2025, 4:21am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/be-here-now-or-not/11309 "2025-01-19T04:21:33Z")
Wellness 2.0: Who Do You Want To Be? | Hidden Brain Media This podcast is good science, but the guy in it does the est training, which is somewhat pseudo. It’s just one step in his journey, and most of the show is a mor… --- ## [The Telepathy Tapes](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-telepathy-tapes/11282)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2025, 4:08am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-telepathy-tapes/11282 "2025-01-14T04:08:54Z")
Telepathy Tapes home site I’m on Aron Ra’s facebook page and he asked his community to look into this, so I did. One person pointed us to Facilitated Communication. Which is all this is. But the podcaster, and a real do… --- ## [Radical Diversion, psuedo-science](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/radical-diversion-psuedo-science/11110)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2024, 1:09pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/radical-diversion-psuedo-science/11110 "2024-09-17T13:09:39Z")
In looking for something on The Hellstrom Chronicles, I found this lengthy treatise on fake science. Radical Diversion: Attractions Politics in the Horror Pseudo-documentary THE HELLSTROM CHRONICLE | Kristopher Woofter … --- ## [What are UFOs to you?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/what-are-ufos-to-you/9368)
**Author:** [@eli1](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/eli1)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2024, 7:22am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/what-are-ufos-to-you/9368 "2024-07-09T07:22:18Z")
What do UFOs mean to you? To me UFOs seem to be artificial intelligence from another civilization which could be extinct, that’s programmed to observe and never interact. This explains the sightings and painting in ear… --- ## [Flow of vital energy?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/flow-of-vital-energy/6168)
**Author:** [@tomtom2](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/tomtom2)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2024, 1:38am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/flow-of-vital-energy/6168 "2024-03-07T01:38:32Z")
Hi, How do you get your vital energy? How can it possibly be drained, obstructed? By vital energy I mean some life force, will to reproduce etc (generally in contrast to depression). It isn’t just a short temporary emo… --- ## [The Imad Elawar Case Revisited](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-imad-elawar-case-revisited/9893)
**Author:** [@bryn](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/bryn)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2023, 10:11am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-imad-elawar-case-revisited/9893 "2023-09-04T10:11:26Z")
Some years after what is considered the best reincarnation case provided by Ian Stevenson was heavily criticized by Leonard Angel in Skeptical Inquirer magazine, biologist Julio Barros offered a response to Angel, arguin… --- ## [Define skeptic for me](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/define-skeptic-for-me/10263)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 3:45pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/define-skeptic-for-me/10263 "2023-05-22T15:45:31Z")
I’ve said this in different ways, usually in the heat of some discussion. Nice to step back and take a clear look at it. --- ## [Mythological belief in the modern world](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/mythological-belief-in-the-modern-world/10224)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2023, 7:54pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/mythological-belief-in-the-modern-world/10224 "2023-04-13T19:54:26Z")
I am discussing this Pinker video elsewhere, but the point he makes at this bookmark reminded me of a conversation I had recently. Someone brought up mushrooms as a possible medicine for Alzheimer’s. I not… --- ## [Motte and Bailey argument tactic](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/motte-and-bailey-argument-tactic/10068)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/motte-and-bailey-argument-tactic/10068 "2023-01-26T18:38:26Z")
I just want to park this one here, so I don’t forget about it. I see it a lot. Someone makes a specious argument, and when challenged falls back on something that is obviously true and defensible. But once they’ve exhaus… --- ## [Everything you need to know on how to build a Perpetual Motion Machine of sort](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/everything-you-need-to-know-on-how-to-build-a-perpetual-motion-machine-of-sort/9375)
**Author:** [@ettcmtech](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/ettcmtech)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2022, 7:27pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/everything-you-need-to-know-on-how-to-build-a-perpetual-motion-machine-of-sort/9375 "2022-12-22T19:27:24Z")
Please: have an open mind. The term Perpetual Motion Machine is only used as a reference point to something that people may understand as to a device that runs under its own system power. Other Terms may be used to des… --- ## [I may try to win the $250,000 prize by demonstrating a paranormal ability](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/i-may-try-to-win-the-250-000-prize-by-demonstrating-a-paranormal-ability/9851)
**Author:** [@entanglement](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/entanglement)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2022, 4:24pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/i-may-try-to-win-the-250-000-prize-by-demonstrating-a-paranormal-ability/9851 "2022-12-22T16:24:35Z")
I have been a scientist and skeptic for decades, and I still am. I am a scientist with a strong scientific background. I used to not believe in paranormal abilities such as clairvoyance, but now I do because I have learn… --- ## [E=MC². What does formula E=MC² really mean?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/e-mc-what-does-formula-e-mc-really-mean/8651)
**Author:** [@socrat44](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/socrat44)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2022, 1:12am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/e-mc-what-does-formula-e-mc-really-mean/8651 "2022-12-14T01:12:45Z")
Does this idea fit into the category of pseudoscientific? E=MC². What does formula E=MC² really mean? It means that Energy is equal Mass at speed (C²) Quantum energy is a pure mass and vice versa. The pure energy/mas… --- ## [Inquiry and the Supernatural](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/inquiry-and-the-supernatural/9577)
**Author:** [@azcend](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/azcend)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 11:05pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/inquiry-and-the-supernatural/9577 "2022-12-13T23:05:43Z")
Rather than state, outright, that I don’t believe in the supernatural, I follow a methodological naturalist school of thought who strives to obtain empirical evidence for the supernatural which falls short to date. Renow… --- ## [Sylvia Browne Protest - 2012 TAM](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/sylvia-browne-protest-2012-tam/10027)
**Author:** [@susangerbic](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/susangerbic)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2022, 8:00pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/sylvia-browne-protest-2012-tam/10027 "2022-12-13T20:00:19Z")
Just published --- ## [Time Travel](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/time-travel/6389)
**Author:** [@timb](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/timb)\ **Replies:** 143\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2022, 5:50am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/time-travel/6389 "2022-11-28T05:50:09Z")
If we humans or even our future AI or our evolved future progeny ever develop time travel, wouldn’t they have visited our time, at least occasionally, during our currently recorded history? If they have, we have no sure… --- ## [Making excuses instead of evidence](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/making-excuses-instead-of-evidence/9612)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2022, 7:00pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/making-excuses-instead-of-evidence/9612 "2022-06-25T19:00:03Z")
https://www.richardcarrier.info/archives/11868#excuses We’re going to be seeing a lot of this, probably for the rest of our lives, so I’m trying to wrap my mind around it. When Carrier gives examples, I can usually trac… --- ## [I Honestly Did Not Believe It](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/i-honestly-did-not-believe-it/7957)
**Author:** [@deanjurbano](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/deanjurbano)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2022, 10:37am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/i-honestly-did-not-believe-it/7957 "2022-05-25T10:37:24Z")
My name is Dean, and I have experienced some things over the course of thirty-three years, and this is my story. Some history, when I was about four years old, according to Mother, I exhibited behavior consistent with a… [Next page](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/c/pseudoscience-and-the-paranormal/10.md?page=1)