Skepticblog Thanks the Bloggers at Skeptic Ink
Back in August I noticed with some surprise that a new network of skeptic and atheist bloggers had started up at Skepticblogs.com. (Surprised, because I had thought we owned that domain. When Skepticblog, our own skeptical group blog formed back in 2008, we made sure to snap up all the variations on our name that we could get our hands on. However, it seems that Skepticblogs.com was not then available, and therefore got missed.)
Hypatia of Alexandria, the inspiration for Skeptic Ink. Artwork by Ryan Grant Long
Looking at the new site, it seemed to us that two group blogs with such similar names (just an “s” apart) and overlapping (though not identical) rationalist missions could create confusion and headaches for both sites. Happily, we were swiftly able to sort things out with the organizers of the new blog, thanks to their very neighborly approach: they relocated to a new domain, and we did what we could to help.
So I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the whole crew over there for their community-minded kindness and assistance, and introduce you to the relocated, rebranded, and redesigned Skeptic Ink blog (aka, the Skeptic Ink Network, or more playfully, SIN). I see that it is home to an energetic mix of different voices, each touching on different facets of a wide rationalism — not only the scientific skepticism that is Skepticblog’s area of concentration, but also atheism, philosophy and related topics they deem “vital to human flourishing.”
I hope you will check out Skeptic Ink, and join me in thanking them for their collaborative spirit.
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Daniel, I’ve been a long time, if rather casual, follower of Skepticblogs for many years. Funny, when I happily stumbled across the Sketicsblog site I was trying to figure out why it seemed so familiar – yet not. When they announced the move and the reasons for it, I finally had my Aha! moment, of course!
Given some of the not-so-pleasant goings on on some places on the web recently, it is a breath of fresh air to see a post like this one reporting neighborly relations. They seem a good bunch over on the newly minted Skeptic Ink site and I’ve enjoyed the few postings I’ve had a chance to read so far.
It really is good to see that some people can actually get along respectfully.
A deep and personal thank you for helping to increase the sense of community and fellowship within the atheist/skeptic community rather than the divisiveness seen too often elsewhere. I am a fan of both you and the newly minted SIN and also want to take this opportunity to thanks Michael Shermer for all of his hard work helping to “light candles” as Sagan may have said.
I had the pleasure of seeing him speak at WTAMU in Texas a few years ago and would love to see him come this way again.
Thank you again and keep up the good work!
It would’ve been nice if they could link back, too, but they don’t.
Thanks for the kind words, Daniel!
I have to ask the obvious question. Why was the confusing name/site chosen in the first place? It was very clear this site was a well known site. Did they really NOT know of it?
I prefer my skepticism without an overt atheism flavor which is why I like this collection of bloggers and eschew those that conflate the two concepts.
My own objections to the packaging of atheism under the “skeptic” banner are a matter of record. Ordinarily I tend not to recommend hybrid projects for that reason; but in this case, I’m pleased to hold this up as a satisfying case of cooperative discussion leading to a mutually acceptable outcome. I dig it when folks get along.
I think it’s entirely plausible that they may not have been aware of this site. I wasn’t. I had heard of skeptic.com, but did not know that it branched out into related names like skepticblog.com. I got here through the redirection of the skepticblogs.com link.
I am glad about the mutually satisfactory solution and I am thankful for this friendly post. I am part of the skeptic ink network and my blog name is No Cross No Crescent.
“Did they really NOT know of it?” ?!!!
Hi there Daniel and all here
Can I say, from myself (A Tippling Philosopher), a big thanks for the way this all went. It was a huge task for us to set up everything and then move so quickly afterwards, but in all fairness it probably could have been avoided with a little more research on our behalf! There are so many networks and organisations of writers online that it is easy to miss them, for them just to fall out of line of the radar. And this is no comment on their quality – the blogosphere is just so big. This is because, when you are blogging or writing, you spend so much time doing this daily that it can be hard to know of all the other bloggers.
I think we will put this down to a sh!t happens scenario. And hey, it could be mutually beneficial in the end!
Thanks again for your help in this matter and the kind words above. I will most certainly be linking back to you, and will add you to my blogroll!
Sincerely,
Jonathan MS Pearce
http://skepticink.com/tippling/
Excellent. All around, great job.
Another Skeptic Ink Networker (SINner)weighing in, with thanks to Daniel for the kind words. Rebecca Bradley, Lateral Truth.
Just joined [Skeptic Ink]. Please travel to there for some Prussian goodness.
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia Rep. Paul Broun said in videotaped remarks that evolution, embryology and the Big Bang theory are “lies straight from the pit of hell” meant to convince people that they do not need a savior.
Went to check the site out – if this article, Dancing in a Dream—How Buddhism Relates to Quantum Mechanics,is considered a good example of critical thinking then I must be floating in a dream!
http://skepticink.com/hammer/2012/09/24/dancing-in-a-dream-how-buddhism-relates-to-quantum-mechanics/#comment-521