Rebecca Watson
Encyclopedia
Rebecca Watson is a blog
ger and independent podcast
host. She is the founder of Skepchick and a co-host on The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe
and Little Atoms
podcasts.
In 2007, she entered a contest called Public Radio Talent Quest, and together with Al Letson
and Glynn Washington was one of the winners. On July 11, 2009, she and Sid Rodrigues were married in a surprise ceremony during The Amaz!ng Meeting 7
. However, on April 8, 2011, she announced that she and Rodrigues were separated and seeking a divorce.
In 2006, Rebecca released The Skepchick Calendar, a pin-up calendar featuring pictures of skeptical women for every month. Proceeds provided the attendance fee for several female applicants to attend the James Randi Educational Foundation's
The Amaz!ng Meeting. New calendars have been made in subsequent years, including Skepdude Calendars since 2007.
On February 12, 2006, Watson created a blog titled Memoirs of a Skepchick, as an addition to the magazine. Eventually the blog, now simply titled Skepchick, became the main site, as Skepchick Magazine was discontinued in July 2006. Fourteen other bloggers beside Rebecca Watson now contribute regularly, including one man.
Watson's pilot, Curiosity, Aroused, was an hour-long program focused on science and skepticism. It featured interviews with Richard Saunders
of Australian Skeptics and Mystery Investigators, and Richard Wiseman
, author of Quirkology and Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire
. She also investigated claims of poisonous amounts of lead in lipstick, went on a ghost tour in Boston
and visited a Psychic Fair.
Her show was the only one among the three winners not to receive funding by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
for being turned into a one-year show.
The Amaz!ng Meeting 5.5. As well as lecturing on the topic "How to Get Off Your Lazy Can and Do Something", she took part in a panel discussion on podcasts and a Q&A panel. At TAM 5 Watson presented a paper with the title "How to Be a C-List Internet Celebrity in Just 30 Days: Finding an Audience Online".
At The New Humanism conference at Harvard April 21, 2007, Rebecca Watson was on a panel discussing "The Next Generation of Humanism".
As a part of the New York City Skeptics' public lecture series Rebecca Watson spoke on "Women and Skepticism" February 16, 2008.
Watson was also invited to London Skeptics in the Pub
, UK to give a public lecture entitled "Women's Intuition and Other Fairytales" January 19, 2009.
A speaker at Skepticon
II and Skepticon III and will be featured again at Skepticon IV.
Also spoke at Kritisk Masse, Norway October 30, 2010.
Spoke at UCLA, May 13, 2011 in Royce Hall Room 164 at UCLA with a presentation entitled "The Religious Right vs. Every Woman on Earth"
discovered March 22, 2001 by David H. Healy
was named 153289 Rebeccawatson
. The description states:
In June 2011, Watson described an experience at a skeptical conference, concerning an approach by a man in an elevator, who invited her to his room for coffee and a conversation. In a video blog, among other things, she stated that incident made her feel sexualized and uncomfortable and advised, "Guys, don't do that". Her statement sparked a controversy among the skeptic community. Her critics said she was over-reacting to a trivial incident, most notably Richard Dawkins
, who wrote a satirical letter to an imaginary Muslim woman, sarcastically contrasting her plight to Rebecca's complaint. This in turn caused him to be greatly criticized by those supporting her on the issue, including several famous figures in the community. Watson announced that she would not buy or endorse Dawkins's books and lectures in the future.
The Mail & Guardian
summarized the incident as "a fairly useful debate about feminism, sexism and appropriate sexual boundaries between men and women [that] descended into all out troll warfare and an attendant witch-hunt to persecute sexists in the atheist community."
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
ger and independent podcast
Podcast
A podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
host. She is the founder of Skepchick and a co-host on The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe
The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe
The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is a weekly, 80 minute podcast hosted by Steven Novella, MD, and a panel of "skeptical rogues". It is the official podcast of the New England Skeptical Society, and is produced in conjunction with the James Randi Educational Foundation...
and Little Atoms
Little Atoms
Little Atoms is a radio chat show broadcast weekly from London on Resonance FM 104.4. It is hosted by Neil Denny, Richard Sanderson, Padraig Reidy, Becky Hogge and special guest presenters...
podcasts.
In 2007, she entered a contest called Public Radio Talent Quest, and together with Al Letson
Al Letson
Al Letson is a poet, playwright, performer and is now host and executive producer of his own national radio show, State of the Re:Union. Letson avoided college in large part due to his dyslexia and the myriad challenges that the learning disorder presents in the academic world and instead became a...
and Glynn Washington was one of the winners. On July 11, 2009, she and Sid Rodrigues were married in a surprise ceremony during The Amaz!ng Meeting 7
The Amaz!ng Meeting
The Amaz!ng Meeting is an annual conference that focuses on science, skepticism, and atheism. It was started in 2003 by the James Randi Educational Foundation...
. However, on April 8, 2011, she announced that she and Rodrigues were separated and seeking a divorce.
Skepchick
Skepchick was founded in 2005 by Rebecca Watson, who described it as "an organization dedicated to promoting skepticism and critical thinking among women around the world." Originally the site consisted of a forum and a monthly online magazine, Skepchick Magazine, which was launched January 15, 2006.In 2006, Rebecca released The Skepchick Calendar, a pin-up calendar featuring pictures of skeptical women for every month. Proceeds provided the attendance fee for several female applicants to attend the James Randi Educational Foundation's
James Randi Educational Foundation
The James Randi Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1996 by magician and skeptic James Randi. The JREF's mission includes educating the public and the media on the dangers of accepting unproven claims, and to support research into paranormal claims in controlled...
The Amaz!ng Meeting. New calendars have been made in subsequent years, including Skepdude Calendars since 2007.
On February 12, 2006, Watson created a blog titled Memoirs of a Skepchick, as an addition to the magazine. Eventually the blog, now simply titled Skepchick, became the main site, as Skepchick Magazine was discontinued in July 2006. Fourteen other bloggers beside Rebecca Watson now contribute regularly, including one man.
The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe
Rebecca Watson's first appearance on The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe podcast was on episode 33 (March 9, 2006), where she was interviewed about her work on Skepchick. She returned on episode 36 (March 29, 2006) as a regular member of the panel.The Public Radio Talent Quest
In May 2007, Rebecca Watson entered The Public Radio Talent Quest, a contest aimed to find new public radio hosts. The contest claims to have received more than 1,400 entries. Watson's entries won the popular vote in every round, and she was declared one of three winners who each would receive $10,000 to produce a public radio pilot.Watson's pilot, Curiosity, Aroused, was an hour-long program focused on science and skepticism. It featured interviews with Richard Saunders
Richard Saunders (skeptic)
Richard Saunders is an Australian skeptic, podcaster and professional origamist. He has received recognition by the Australian Skeptics with a Life Membership in 2001 for his contributions to the organisation...
of Australian Skeptics and Mystery Investigators, and Richard Wiseman
Richard Wiseman
Richard Wiseman is Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom.Wiseman started his professional life as a magician, before graduating in Psychology from University College London and obtaining a Ph.D...
, author of Quirkology and Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire
University of Hertfordshire
The University of Hertfordshire is a new university based largely in Hatfield, in the county of Hertfordshire, England, from which the university takes its name. It has more than 27,500 students, over 2500 staff, with a turnover of over £181m...
. She also investigated claims of poisonous amounts of lead in lipstick, went on a ghost tour in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and visited a Psychic Fair.
Her show was the only one among the three winners not to receive funding by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is a non-profit corporation created by an act of the United States Congress, funded by the United States’ federal government to promote public broadcasting...
for being turned into a one-year show.
Speaking engagements
Watson was a guest speaker at the James Randi Educational Foundation'sJames Randi Educational Foundation
The James Randi Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1996 by magician and skeptic James Randi. The JREF's mission includes educating the public and the media on the dangers of accepting unproven claims, and to support research into paranormal claims in controlled...
The Amaz!ng Meeting 5.5. As well as lecturing on the topic "How to Get Off Your Lazy Can and Do Something", she took part in a panel discussion on podcasts and a Q&A panel. At TAM 5 Watson presented a paper with the title "How to Be a C-List Internet Celebrity in Just 30 Days: Finding an Audience Online".
At The New Humanism conference at Harvard April 21, 2007, Rebecca Watson was on a panel discussing "The Next Generation of Humanism".
As a part of the New York City Skeptics' public lecture series Rebecca Watson spoke on "Women and Skepticism" February 16, 2008.
Watson was also invited to London Skeptics in the Pub
Skeptics in the Pub
Skeptics in the Pub is an informal social event designed to promote fellowship and social networking among skeptics, critical-thinkers, and other like-minded individuals...
, UK to give a public lecture entitled "Women's Intuition and Other Fairytales" January 19, 2009.
A speaker at Skepticon
Skepticon
Skepticon is the largest student organized skeptic and atheist convention held in the United States. Guest speakers are invited to discuss atheism, skepticism, and other related topics...
II and Skepticon III and will be featured again at Skepticon IV.
Also spoke at Kritisk Masse, Norway October 30, 2010.
Spoke at UCLA, May 13, 2011 in Royce Hall Room 164 at UCLA with a presentation entitled "The Religious Right vs. Every Woman on Earth"
Asteroid
An outer main-belt asteroidAsteroid
Asteroids are a class of small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun. They have also been called planetoids, especially the larger ones...
discovered March 22, 2001 by David H. Healy
David H. Healy
David B. Healy was an American astrophotographer and asteroid discoverer who is known for his contributions to Burnham's Celestial Handbook.-History:...
was named 153289 Rebeccawatson
153289 Rebeccawatson
Asteroid 153289 Rebeccawatson is an outer main belt asteroid. It was discovered by D Healy on March 22, 2001 at Junk Bond Observatory.153289 Rebeccawatson is named after Rebecca Watson Asteroid 153289 Rebeccawatson (provisional designation 2001 FB10) is an outer main belt asteroid. It was...
. The description states:
Elevator incident
In June 2011, Watson described an experience at a skeptical conference, concerning an approach by a man in an elevator, who invited her to his room for coffee and a conversation. In a video blog, among other things, she stated that incident made her feel sexualized and uncomfortable and advised, "Guys, don't do that". Her statement sparked a controversy among the skeptic community. Her critics said she was over-reacting to a trivial incident, most notably Richard Dawkins
Richard Dawkins
Clinton Richard Dawkins, FRS, FRSL , known as Richard Dawkins, is a British ethologist, evolutionary biologist and author...
, who wrote a satirical letter to an imaginary Muslim woman, sarcastically contrasting her plight to Rebecca's complaint. This in turn caused him to be greatly criticized by those supporting her on the issue, including several famous figures in the community. Watson announced that she would not buy or endorse Dawkins's books and lectures in the future.
The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
The Mail & Guardian is a South African weekly newspaper, published by M&G Media in Johannesburg, South Africa, with a strong focus on politics, government, the environment, civil society and business.- The Mail & Guardian newspaper :...
summarized the incident as "a fairly useful debate about feminism, sexism and appropriate sexual boundaries between men and women [that] descended into all out troll warfare and an attendant witch-hunt to persecute sexists in the atheist community."
See also
- New England Skeptical SocietyNew England Skeptical SocietyThe New England Skeptical Society is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to promoting science and reason. It was originally founded in January 1996 as the Connecticut Skeptical Society...
- The Skeptics' Guide to the UniverseThe Skeptics' Guide to the UniverseThe Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is a weekly, 80 minute podcast hosted by Steven Novella, MD, and a panel of "skeptical rogues". It is the official podcast of the New England Skeptical Society, and is produced in conjunction with the James Randi Educational Foundation...
- Steven NovellaSteven NovellaSteven P. Novella is an American clinical neurologist, assistant professor and Director of General Neurology at Yale University School of Medicine...
External links
- Skepchick
- Teen Skepchick
- Rebecca Watson's PRTQ page with streaming of all her entries and Curiosity, Aroused pilot