Michael Marshall (skeptic)
Michael Marshall | |
---|---|
The Skeptic | |
Employer | Good Thinking Society[1] |
Organization(s) | Merseyside Skeptics Society, Good Thinking Society |
Known for | Skeptical activism |
Spouse | Nicola Throp (2015–present)[2] |
Michael "Marsh" Marshall (born 13 August 1983) is a British
Early life and influences
Marshall was born on 13 August 1983 in
Merseyside Skeptics Society
Foundation
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Mike_Hall_and_Michael_Marshall.jpg/220px-Mike_Hall_and_Michael_Marshall.jpg)
In February 2009, Marshall, Mike Hall and Colin Harris founded the Merseyside Skeptics Society.
10:23 Campaign
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/Michael_Marshall_leads_the_audience_in_a_homeopathic_overdose_at_the_QED_conference_in_Manchester..jpg/220px-Michael_Marshall_leads_the_audience_in_a_homeopathic_overdose_at_the_QED_conference_in_Manchester..jpg)
In January 2010, Marshall co-ordinated the
Challenging psychics
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/MSS_logo.png/220px-MSS_logo.png)
In October 2011, the Merseyside Skeptics Society (represented by Hall and Marshall), Chris French and Simon Singh set up a "Halloween Challenge" to Sally Morgan to have her alleged psychic abilities tested, to demonstrate that her claims regarding talking to the dead are true, otherwise she might, knowingly or unknowingly, be taking advantage of people's grief.[16] Morgan did not turn up at the press conference, but threatened to sue the skeptics for defamation through her lawyers instead.[17] Nevertheless, the MSS decided to make the Halloween Challenge an annual event and invited any psychic in the UK to take part.[18] When two psychics failed an experiment in October 2012, Marshall remarked: "While the result of our experiment doesn't disprove psychic ability, the fact that our mediums couldn't pass what they felt was a very fair and simple test does seem to suggest claims that these abilities exist aren't based in reality."[19] At the Australian Skeptics National Convention 2014 in Sydney, Marsh lectured about pseudoscience and the channelling of spirits.[20]
Engaging with "Believers"
In January 2013, Marshall and Hayley Stephens started a podcast called Be Reasonable, where Marshall interviewed people with beliefs outside of science. The aim was to try to understand why people believe in these things without criticising or mocking the person being interviewed. He has stated, "...I try to avoid as much as possible talking over the details of factual claims, where I can't tell in the moment whether a fact is valid or misrepresented, but instead I try to look at the logic built around that particular fact.",[21] " it offers a genuine reflection on how people come to any beliefs—real or false, reasonable or irrational—and how we all build our identity and our world view around our beliefs, to help us make sense of the world".[22] Episodes of the show include interviews with Flat Earther Mark Sargeant; Vicki Monroe, a Psychic and cold case investigator; and Jim Humble, a proponent of Miracle Mineral Supplement solution.[23]
Bad PR
On SwaK Marshall developed a skill for spotting bad
He has also done an interview on BBC Radio 4's More or Less programme, where he discusses various newspaper articles and big headlines that are based on bad PR.[29]
Modern belief in a flat Earth
In recent years, Marshall is reporting on the
Good Thinking Society
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c2/Kirsten_Drysdale%2C_Julian_Morrow%2C_Michael_Marshall.jpg/220px-Kirsten_Drysdale%2C_Julian_Morrow%2C_Michael_Marshall.jpg)
Since March 2014, Marshall has been project director at the
In May 2014, Marshall accused writers at The Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail of "poor journalism" for uncritically picking up press releases from the British Chiropractic Association and the United Chiropractic Association, based on "flimsy studies" and assertions that were "certainly not supported by any reliable evidence". Recalling the British Chiropractic Association v Singh case, he concluded, "If chiropractors want to be taken seriously, perhaps they should focus on improving the regulation of their industry and conducting rigorous research rather than relying on PR stunts to drum up business."[38]
In May 2015, GTS obtained video footage from the Spirit of Health Congress where, according to Marshall, claims were made about health that "appeared illegal and could cause serious harm": "The dangerous misinformation at the Spirit of Health event is shocking, particularly with regard to serious conditions such as cancer."[39]
In September 2015, Marshall showed how the American televangelist, self-proclaimed
In November 2017, the British Homeopathic Association (BHA) filed a suit to overturn NHS England's new guidance which advises GPs not to prescribe homeopathic remedies. In June 2018, BHA lost that case, in a decision characterised by Edzard Ernst as the result of "4 years of excellent work by the Good Thinking Society".[41] Marshall noted that "The last few years have seen almost every part of the NHS end support for homeopathy, and this court decision only goes to further underline the fact that homeopathy warrants no place in modern healthcare."[42]
Podcasting
- Skeptics with a K (Merseyside Skeptics Society): co-host with Mike Hall and Colin Harris, later Alice Howarth (2009–present)[10]
- Be Reasonable (Merseyside Skeptics Society): host (until June 2014 co-host with Hayley M. Stevens) (2013–present)[43]
- 2015 ESC Podcast (Good Thinking Society): host (2015)[44]
- Righteous Indignation (independent): co-host with Hayley M. Stevens and Trystan Swale (2009–2012)[6]
He is also a frequent guest on podcasts like Skepticrat, God Awful Movies and The Scathing Atheist.
Personal life
Marsh is a huge New Castle United fan.[22]
References
- ^ a b "People". Good Thinking Society. 2 September 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
- ^ Hall, Mike; Marshall, Michael; Howarth, Alice (8 October 2015). "Skeptics with a K: Episode No. 158" (podcast). Skeptics with a K. Episode 158. MSS. Retrieved 8 October 2015.: 0:34
- ^ Grossman, Wendy M. (24 September 2020). "Mike Marshall: Born Skeptic". Skeptical Inquirer. Center for Inquiry. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Marsh". Merseyside Skeptics Society website. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
- ^ "Committee for Skeptical Inquiry Elects 14 New Fellows from Six Countries". Skeptical Inquirer. 1 February 2022. Archived from the original on 17 September 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ a b c d Puffin Watch (30 April 2010). "Interview with Michael Marshall of Skeptics with a K podcast". The Skeptical Review. Nigel St. Whitehall (Howard). Retrieved 4 June 2013.
- ^ Grossman, Wendy M. (24 September 2020). "Mike Marshall: Born Skeptic". Skeptical Inquirer. Center for Inquiry. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
- ^ Michael Marshall (21 May 2014). "Skeptics will always face an uphill struggle against pseudoscience". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
- ^ Shennan, Paddy (16 September 2009). "Merseyside Skeptics Society hold first meeting". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
- ^ a b Hall, Mike; Marshall, Michael; Harris, Colin (1 August 2009). "Skeptics with a K: Episode No. 001" (podcast). Skeptics with a K. Episode 001. Merseyside Skeptics Society. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
- ^ Hall, Mike; Marshall, Marsh; Harris, Colin (23 September 2010). "Skeptics with a K: Episode No. 031" (podcast). Skeptics with a K. Episode 31. Merseyside Skeptics Society. Retrieved 25 August 2014.: 14:27
- ^ "57. Michael Marshall" (podcast). Skeptikerpodden. Episode 57 (in Swedish). 29 June 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
- . Retrieved 1 September 2014.
- ^ "The 10:23 Challenge 2011". 1023.org.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
- Hall, Mike (10 February 2011). "Skeptics with a K: Special No. 007" (podcast). Skeptics with a K. Episode Special 007. MSS / BBC Radio Five. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
- Michael Marshall (2011). "Overdosing on homeopathy: there's nothing in it". The Times Eureka. Retrieved 1 September 2015. Alt URL - ^ James O'Malley (6 February 2011). "1023 Overdose 2011 in Manchester (#ten23)". The Pod Delusion. Retrieved 1 September 2015 – via YouTube.
- ^ Mike Hall (6 November 2011). "Challenge Sally – The Press Conference". MSS website. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
- ^ Tom Chivers (31 October 2011). "'Psychic' Sally Morgan sends the lawyers in over suggestions she might not really be talking to the dead". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 3 November 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
- ^ Michael Marshall (16 October 2012). "Calling all psychics: a chance to prove your powers in a scientific test". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
- ^ Sara C Nelson (31 October 2012). "Mediums Patricia Putt And Kim Whitton Fail In 'Halloween' Challenge Designed To Prove Psychic Abilities". HuffPost. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
- ^ "Australian Skeptics National Convention 2014 – Lifting the lid: Ongoing adventures in the world of pseudoscience". Lanyrd. Eventbrite. 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
- "Program". Australian Skeptics National Convention 2014. Australian Skeptics. 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
– Bloch, Ross (7 December 2014). "Skeptically Challenged 2014/12/07" (podcast). Skeptically Challenged. Episode 69. Retrieved 24 September 2015.: 31:32 - ^ Gerbic, Susan (28 September 2018). "What can we learn from Michael Marshall's "Be Reasonable" Podcast?". Skeptical Inquirer. Centre for Inquiry. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
- ^ a b Harrison, Annika. "Michael Marshall About Empathy and Critical Thinking". Skeptical Inquirer. Center for Inquiry. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
- ^ "Be Reasonable". Merseyside Skeptics Society. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
- ^ Mark & Heather Pentler (20 December 2011). "Michael Marshall – Bad News – Skeptics in the Pub". Merseyside Skeptics Society. Retrieved 4 September 2015 – via YouTube.
- ^ Michael Marshall (29 September 2011). "Bad News: How PR Came to Rule Modern Journalism". Glasgow Skeptics. Retrieved 25 August 2014 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b Michaell Marshall (24 August 2013). "Hur reklam styr dagens media". UR Samtiden (in Swedish). Föreningen Vetenskap och Folkbildning. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
- Bruno van de Casteele (24 August 2013). "European Skeptics Congress, day 2". Skeptoid website. Skeptoid. Retrieved 25 August 2014. - ^ "Skeptics on the Fringe 2014 – Lifting the lid: Ongoing adventures in the world of pseudoscience". Lanyrd. Eventbrite. 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
- ^ Marshall, Michael (13 May 2013). "The irony of the press criticising Michael Gove's dodgy surveys". New Statesman. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
- ^ Tim Harford (19 May 2013). "Angelina Jolie's 87% cancer risk; Romanian crime stats". More or Less. BBC Radio 4. Retrieved 25 August 2014.: 11:36
- ^ a b Marshall, Michael. "Why We Should Listen to Flat Earth Believers (Even Though They're Completely Wrong)". Gizmodo UK. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
- ^ a b Michael, Marshall (2 May 2018). "The universe is an egg and the moon isn't real: notes from a Flat Earth conference". Science, Notes & Theories. The Guardian. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
- ^ "Truth detectives: the know-it-all skeptics railing against fakery?". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- ^ Marsh (31 March 2014). "Expanding the Good Thinking Society team". GTS website. Good Thinking Society. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
- ^ Palmer, Rob (17 October 2019). "Good Thinking With Michael Marshall". Skeptical Inquirer: The well-known skeptic. Center for Inquiry. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
- ^ "Homeopathy in the UK". Lanyrd. Eventbrite. 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
– "Schedule". QEDcon.org. 2015. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2015. - ^ Olivia Solon (3 June 2015). "NHS supplier sells 'homeopathic owl' that promises to help treat insomnia". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
- ^ Marshall, Michael; Singh, Simon (18 June 2015). "All NHS trusts should stop funding homeopathic treatments". The Pharmaceutical Journal. 294 (7867). Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
- ^ Michael Marshall (2 May 2014). "Chiropractors' spine-chilling warnings about computers, phones and pancakes". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
– Hall, Mike; Marshall, Michael; Howarth, Alice (24 April 2014). "Skeptics with a K: Episode No. 120" (podcast). Skeptics with a K. Episode 120. Merseyside Skeptics Society. Retrieved 4 September 2015.: 57:12 - ^ Laura Donnelly, Justin Stoneman (25 May 2015). "The fake cancer cure conference the 'healers' tried to keep secret". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
- ^ Andrew Penman (24 September 2015). "Two very different charlatans both selling the divine right to get rich quick". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
- ^ Ernst, Edzard (10 August 2018). "A triumph for 'Good Thinking', and the end of homeopathy on the NHS in England". Edzard Ernst. Edzard Ernst. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
- ^ Marshall, Michael (5 June 2018). "Homeopaths' legal challenge to NHS England fails". Good Thinking Society. Good Thinking Society. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
- ^ Michael Marshall (30 June 2014). "Be Reasonable – Episode #018: Rafael Dellal". MSS website. Merseyside Skeptics Society. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
- ^ Marsh (23 June 2015). "2015 ESC Podcast: Episode #00". GTS website. Good Thinking Society. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
External links
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