trentmkelly/rationalwiki huggingface dataset:
London Hammer

{{pseudohistorynav}}
[[File:londonhammer.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Weird!]]
The '''London Hammer''' is a name given to a hammer made of iron and wood that was found in London, [[Texas]] in 1936. Part of the hammer is embedded in a limy rock concretion, leading to it being hailed in some quarters as an anomalous artifact: if an obviously man-made tool is old enough to have been encased in rock, the argument goes, then conventional history is wrong.

The [[creationist]] [[Carl Baugh]] latched on to the hammer in the eighties, even using it as the basis of speculation of how the atmospheric quality of a pre-[[Great Flood|flood]] earth could have encouraged the growth of [[giant]]s.<ref>http://ncse.com/cej/5/1/if-i-had-hammer</ref> The hammer is now an exhibit in Baugh's Creation Evidence Museum, which sells replicas of it to visitors.<ref>http://www.badarchaeology.com/?page_id=315</ref> Since then, various Internet cranks have used the hammer as evidence of [[ancient astronauts]],<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20100610231120/http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread579166/pg2</ref> a government [[conspiracy]],<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20120523042136/http://reinep.wordpress.com/tag/london-hammer/</ref> and [[Thor]] (yes, him, sadly).<ref><capture>https://web.archive.org/web/20140107200816/http://www.englisc-gateway.com/bbs/topic/33970-75-100-million-year-old-thors-hammer/</capture></ref>

Baugh's claims were countered by researcher John Cole, who pointed out that the rock concretion could have been the result of dissolved sediment hardening around the hammer, something which can happen in a relatively short amount of time; Cole also concluded that, judging by its style, the artifact is a 19th century miner's hammer.<ref name=kuban/>

In the conclusion to his own debunking of the artifact, paleontologist Glen Kuban agreed with the recent age of the hammer and stressed that unless Baugh or any others could provide evidence that the hammer was once naturally situated in a pre-Quaternary stratum, it would remain a curiosity, not a reliable [[out-of-place artifact]].<ref name=kuban>[http://paleo.cc/paluxy/hammer.htm The London Hammer: An Alleged Out-of-Place Artifact]</ref>  

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

{{crebox}}

[[Category:Creationism]]
[[Category:Out-of-place artifact]]
[[Category:Pseudoarchaeology]]
[[Category:Texas]]

Categories: Creationism, Out-of-place artifact, Pseudoarchaeology, Texas
London underground mosquito

[[File:Culex Molestus.jpg|thumb|left|165px|''Culex molestus'' (deceased)]]
{{evolution}}
The '''London Underground mosquito''' (''Culex molestus'') is a [[species]] of mosquito in the genus ''Culex'' found in the [[London]] Underground, though it has been documented  well before the London Underground was built. It is an underground variant of ''Culex pipiens'' that has adapted to live underground. During [[evolution]] debates, it can be a case for evolution, along with the documentations of ''E. coli'' mutations in the [[Lenski affair]], as the mosquito has adapted to an environment starkly different from over the ground to the point it differentiated from ''Culex pipiens''.

The evidence for this mosquito being distinct from ''C. pipiens'' comes from research by Kate Byne and Richard Nichols. The two species have very different behaviours such as ''C. molestus'' not being required hibernate compared to its overworld,<ref>Alan Burdick (2001). "[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1134/is_1_110/ai_70770157 Insect From the Underground &mdash; London, England Underground home to different species of mosquitos]". ''Natural History''.</ref> are extremely difficult to mate as ''C. molestus'' mated in closed spaces and through individuals compared to swarms due to nature of underground,<ref>"[http://www.gene.ch/gentech/1998/Jul-Sep/msg00188.html London underground source of new insect forms]". ''The Times''. 1998-08-26.</ref> and show [[genetic drift]].<ref>Katharine Byrne and Richard A Nichols (1999) "[http://www.nature.com/hdy/journal/v82/n1/full/6884120a.html ''Culex pipiens'' in London Underground tunnels: differentiation between surface and subterranean populations]"</ref>

Biologists named the London Underground mosquito ''Culex molestus'' due to the way it assaulted [[London]]ers sleeping in the Underground during the Blitz, although this name seems to already have been given to a species of mosquito found in [[Australia]], named as long ago as 1775.<ref>"[http://pick4.pick.uga.edu/mp/20q?search=Culex+molestus&guide=Culicidae Culex molestus Forskal, 1775]". Discover Life. University of Georgia.</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{stub|evolution}}
[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:Evolution]]
[[Category:United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Zoology]]

Categories: Animals, Evolution, United Kingdom, Zoology
Louie Giglio

{{Christianity}}
'''Louie Giglio''' is a pastor from the Passion City Church in Roswell, a suburb of Atlanta, [[Georgia]] (not to be confused with Roswell in New Mexico of UFO fame). Before setting up in Atlanta, Giglio studied in Texas at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and at the evangelical Baylor University.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130113092723/http://www.dallasvoice.com/anti-gay-inauguration-pastor-texas-ties-10136274.html Anti-gay inauguration pastor Louie Giglio has strong Texas ties], Dallas Voice</ref>

In 2013, the Obama administration announced that Giglio would deliver the benediction at [[Barack Obama|Obama's]] second inauguration ceremony. At the previous ceremony, [[Rick Warren]] gave the benediction, which caused LGBT rights activists to complain. Well, given Giglio's history, they now have more reason to complain. He was apparently removed from the program the next day.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130112215814/http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/01/10/1429501/anti-gay-pastor-removed-from-inaugural-program/?mobile=nc Think Progress:Anti-Gay Pastor Removed From Inaugural Program]</ref>

== Turn me straight, Pastor Louie! ==

The liberal blog Think Progress uncovered a speech given by Giglio on a website called Discipleship Library containing numerous [[Homophobia|anti-gay]] claims, including his belief that gay people can be turned straight through the power of [[Jesus]].

:the only way out of a homosexual lifestyle, the only way out of a relationship that has been engrained over years of time, is through the healing power of Jesus.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130112002858/http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/01/09/1422021/inaugural-benediction-to-be-delivered-by-anti-gay-pastor/ Inaugural Benediction To Be Delivered By Pastor Who Gave Vehemently Anti-Gay Sermon], Think Progress</ref>

Giglio's anti-gay comments have caused a number of people in the LGBT community to sharply criticise Obama for selecting yet another homophobic pastor for the inauguration.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/10/us/politics/louie-giglio-inaugural-pastor-criticized-for-antigay-sermon.html?_r=0 Pastor Chosen for Inaugural Was Criticized as Antigay], New York Times</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Giglio, Louie}}
[[Category:Baptists]]
[[Category:Christians]]
[[Category:Ministers]]
[[Category:Homophobes]]
[[Category:Living people]]

Categories: Baptists, Christians, Ministers, Homophobes, Living people
Love bombing

{{cult}}
'''Love bombing''' refers to a [[cult]] recruitment tactic, in which a cult overwhelms potential recruits with "[[Sex|love]]", giving the feeling that their emotional and social needs will be met by joining the cult. Cult watchers often included love bombing as one of the features that may identify an organization as a cult.<Ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=imlWAAAAYAAJ&q=isbn:0787900516&dq=isbn:0787900516&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjGt9Dh5J7MAhUCkYMKHdQsDgsQ6AEICjAA ''Cults in our Midst''. Margaret Singer, 1996. P. 114.]</ref>

==History of the term==

The term originated with the [[Children of God]],<ref>[http://www.exfamily.org/art/exmem/debdavis/debdavis07.shtml ''The Children of God The Inside Story By The Daughter Of The Founder, Moses David Berg''. Deborah (Linda Berg) Davis with Bill Davis, 1984]</ref> and was later adopted by the [[Unification Church]] (a.k.a. "the Moonies"). The term has passed into general usage to refer to other cults which employ similar tactics (although most cults themselves never use the term).

As many potential cult members come from broken homes or are socially awkward or sexually frustrated, love bombing is effective in giving them a sense of belonging through identification with and subservience to the cult, and conversely reinforcing their internalized belief that "the world" apart from the cult is a hostile place from which the cult is a haven.

Within the Children of God, love bombing included [[sexuality|sexual]] "free love" practices (which they called "[[flirty fishing]]", in reference to the [[Bible]] parable of being "fishers of men").<ref>[http://media.xfamily.org/docs/fam/hh/hh-v4-pg377-392.pdf prostitution recommendations]</ref>

==Other uses==

A "love bomb" is a purported weapon that the US military attempted to develop sometime in the 80s or 90s as a relatively "peaceful" way of disorientating or demoralising enemy troops. The bomb was intended to contain a collection of pheromones and other chemicals designed to make the enemy soldiers ''incredibly'' horny, and thus turn [[gay]], preferably on each other.<ref>Seriously, the [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4174519.stm "US military pondered love not war"].</ref>

Love bombing is a psychological technique often used by domestic abusers, including psychopaths, sociopaths, and narcissists at the start of relationships.<ref>https://scholarworks.uark.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=hdfsrsuht</ref> Whether the abuse is physical, verbal or merely psychological, the abusers will all too frequently resume the love bombing when their partner begins to show signs of planning to leave. Abusive parents will also use this tactic when they fear their children moving away and ceasing to take care of them.

==See also==
*[[Milk before meat]]

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

[[Category:Cults]]
[[Category:Unification Church]]

Categories: Cults, Unification Church
Lucas Werner

{{sex}}{{Sources needed}}
'''Lucas Werner''', also known as Olympiaatheist, hails from Spokane, [[Washington]]. He operates a website called [https://web.archive.org/web/20170622103359/http://conversationrage.weebly.com:80/ Conversation Our Age], which advocates the view that men mature ''much'' slower than women, so that a 35-year-old man is the equivalent of a girl in her mid-teens.

Conversation Our Age is written in a style reminiscent of [[Time Cube]] and features a combination of [[pseudoscientific]] theorizing with just plain [[word salad]], along with pictures that obscure parts of the text from view. Werner uses the fact that telomeres get shorter with age to argue that the best babies are produced by older men with younger women. His view that men under 35 are "larval" and that the age of consent for men should be 35 is just plain bizarre. So, too, is his claim that his own semen possesses anti-aging properties derived from telomerase, which is why women should give him "[[Oral sex|blow jobs]] and [[Anal sex|anal]]".<ref name="pharyn">[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2016/12/29/spokane-washingtons-most-single-man/ Spokane, Washington's Most Single Man] Pharyngula</ref> Although, a woman of his preferred age (under 20) probably wouldn't be interested in anti-aging products anyway.

Werner has also promoted the same views on other social media. In real life, he made national news for being banned from Starbucks after hitting on a teenage barista. Since the age of consent in Washington is 16 and the barista was at least that age, Werner claimed he had been discriminated against because of his age and threatened to sue.<ref name="sr">[http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/jan/02/lucas-werner-37-ejected-from-spokane-starbucks-aft/ Lucas Werner, 37, ejected from Spokane Starbucks after asking teenage barista for a date] by Rachel Alexander (Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, 3:10 P.M.) ''The Spokesman-Review''.</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Werner, Lucas}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Pseudoscience promoters]]

Categories: Living people, Pseudoscience promoters
Lucid dream

{{Psychology}}

A '''lucid dream''' occurs when a dreamer realises that they're dreaming and can begin to control the dream. The term was coined by a Dutch [[psychologist]] in 1913,<ref>[http://www.lucidity.com/vanEeden.html A Study of Dreams]</ref> but scientific inquiry into this phenomenon did not seriously start until much later. In 1968, the writer Celia Green began to analyze the characteristics of such dreams. In the early 1980s, [[sleep]] researchers Keith Hearne and Stephen LaBerge independently discovered a method for lucid dreamers to signal their state to observers, proving their awareness during what's supposed to be a sleep phase.<ref>Susan Blackmore: [http://www.susanblackmore.co.uk/Articles/si91ld.html Lucid Dreaming: Awake in Your Sleep?], ''Skeptical Inquirer'' 15 (1991)</ref> While the phenomenon has been established as real and is being studied as a valid field of sleep research, some [[New Age]]rs have taken this as a starting point to make [[Woo|wild and unsubstantiated claims]] about the nature of consciousness, and that it might even be key to unlocking [[parapsychology|parapsychological]] powers.<ref>The Skeptic's Dictionary: [http://www.skepdic.com/lucdream.html Lucid Dreaming]</ref><ref>See [http://www.mind-energy.net/archives/318-Interview-with-Robert-Waggoner-Lucid-Dreaming-and-psychic-abilities.html here] for a random example of this.</ref>

==Woo!==

Of course, dreams have no predictive ability beyond the normal amount of chance and [[shoehorning]] ability of the dreamer, so dream away — just seriously make sure you really are dreaming before you do something dangerous (a good non-dangerous test is to see if you can hover/fly<ref group=note>Do ''not'' test this by jumping off a high ledge!</ref> or phase your hand through objects). While this method has its uses as a stopgap measure until we've got a working holodeck and may even offer some of the benefits of [[meditation]], it's important to note that there's no evidence whatsoever that you can use it to unlock any secret powers hidden in your subconsciousness. Flying and such may work while within the dream, but nobody should expect to gain special powers in real life.

==See also==
*[[Dream interpretation]]
*[[Incubus and succubus myths]]
*[[Sleep paralysis]]

==External links==
*[http://lucid.fandom.com/ Lucid wiki] - Would you like to make your dreams come true?

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

[[category:psychology]]
[[Category:Sleep]]

Categories: psychology, Sleep
Luck

{{folklore}}{{cquote|'''Stranger''': You suck.<br />
'''Me''': You don’t even KNOW ME so that’s not an ACCURATE APPRAISAL but merely a LUCKY GUESS!|||Hippo<ref>https://twitter.com/InternetHippo/status/922219879293480960</ref>}}

'''Luck''' is an abstract concept, based on incorrect assumptions about [[probability]]. It is a [[superstition]] and effectively a belief in a [[God|supernatural force]] that makes [[random]] events "favor" those who benefit from such events. 

It is very often characterized, objectified, and personified, even if not attributed to any deity. Luck may 'favor' an individual, or luck may turn into a quality or even just a force that a person may possess. Some people attempt to improve their luck by being in possession of so-called "[[amulet|lucky charms]]", essentially a physical object that when worn, rubbed, or brandished is believed to help influence a favorable outcome. These objects can be anything the believer can come up with: a [[rabbit's foot]], a frequently worn pair of underwear, a penny, a particular team's towel (when you want to affect the outcome of a sporting event in the particular team's favor), or anything that can easily held or carried.<ref>[[Goats]] are notoriously difficult to carry around.</ref> Luck is often said to 'turn' or change its allegiance when an unexpected outcome occurs, regardless of the circumstances. 

Despite a lack of modern widespread belief in [[Polytheism|polytheistic]] [[Deity|deities]] like Fortuna (Roman), Tyche (Greek), 
or Tymora ([[Dungeons and Dragons]])
 a 'Lady Luck' is referred to fairly commonly even in modern times, including by [[Monotheism|monotheists]].

==See also==
*[[Gambler's fallacy]]
*[[Gambling]]
==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Folklore]]

{{stub|culture}}

Categories: Folklore
Ludwig Feuerbach

[[File:Feuerbach Ludwig.jpg|thumb|165px|Feuerbach's beard.]]{{philosophy|1}}
'''Ludwig Andreas Feuerbach''' (1804-1872) was a German [[philosopher]] and a member of the philosophical school of thought known as the Young Hegelians, followers of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel. However, he would later go on to turn against Hegel's philosophy. Feuerbach was a proponent of [[atheism]] and [[materialism]]. His best known work is ''The Essence of Christianity'', which argued that [[god]] was simply the [[Projection theories of religion|projection of the human mind]]. The works of [[Friedrich Nietzsche]], [[Karl Marx]], and [[Friedrich Engels]] were heavily influenced by Feuerbach.

==External links==
*[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ludwig-feuerbach/ Entry in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy]
*[http://marxists.org/reference/archive/feuerbach/index.htm Ludwig Feurbach Archive at marxists.org]
*[https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1845/theses/theses.htm "Theses On Feuerbach"], Karl Marx. Ends in the quote "The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways; the point is to change it", a quote which [http://ysfine.com/maga/phil/marxlon600.jpg appears on Marx's gravestone].

{{stub|philosophy}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Feuerbach, Ludwig}}

[[Category:Atheists]]
[[Category:Philosophers]]

Categories: Atheists, Philosophers
Luigi Corvaglia

[[File:Luigi Corvaglia.jpg|thumb|left|165px|Corvaglia in 2014]]
{{cult}}
'''Luigi Corvaglia''' {{lived|1966|}} is an [[Italy|Italian]] [[psychology|psychologist]] and expert on cults and [[Mind control|mind manipulation]]. He is chairman of the Italian association CeSAP (Centro Studi Abusi Psicologici)<ref>http://www.ceasp.net</ref> and member of the Administrative Board of the Scientific Committee of {{wpl|FECRIS}} (European Federation of Centres of Research and Information on Sectarianism).

Luigi Corvaglia is a [[Freethought|free thinker]]<ref>http://luigicorvaglia.altervista.org/in-praise-of-pilate/?doing_wp_cron=1451060899.9474079608917236328125</ref> who uses the same arguments the cult apologists use ([[Freedom of religion|freedom of belief]], free choice, etc.) to demonstrate the contradictions and the inconsistency of their reasoning. Luigi Corvaglia has dedicated himself to unmasking the psychological tricks used by cult apologists to defend high-control groups, underlining the contradictions posed by academics who claim to defend the civil rights and freedoms of the individual, while in reality defending totalitarian groups that deny those rights and freedoms to their members.

==External links==
*[https://janjalalich.com/blog/the-rational-choice-theory-and-my-friend-vito/ The Rational Choice Theory and my friend Vito] (in English)
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZztllTlSuVE Luigi Corvaglia (FECRIS) at the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference 2022] 
*[https://prezi.com/8rzbvqnmrzye/free-to-be-slaves/ Free To Be Slaves] (in English)
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdTPH2EW8BM/ Interview with Luigi Corvaglia on Russian TV] (in Russian)

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{stub|Cults}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Corvaglia, Luigi}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Cults]]
[[Category:Psychologists]]

Categories: Living people, Cults, Psychologists
Luis Alfonso Gámez

[[File:Luis Alfonso Gámez en amazings 2011.jpg|thumb|165px|Luis Alfonso Gámez, 2011]]
{{skepnav|1}}
'''Luis Alfonso Gámez'''<ref>[http://magonia.com/luis-alfonso-gamez/ Luis Alfonso Gámez - self description]</ref> is a [[Spain | Spanish]] [[Journalism|journalist]] and hyperactive [[skeptic]].  He covers the whole gamut of skeptical ideas including [[conspiracy theories]], [[homoeopathy]] and the existence of [[God]].  

==Activity==
He founded the Spanish skeptical organisation ''circuloesceptico'' (Skeptics circle)<ref>[http://circuloesceptico.org/ Circuloesceptico homepage]</ref> and the Basque version of [[Skeptics in the Pub]] called ''enigmas y birras'' (puzzles and beers).<ref>[http://magonia.com/2010/10/29/enigmas-y-birras-cita-mensual-con-pensamiento-critico/ enigmas y birras]</ref>

==Current activity==

He has a regularly updated blog, ''magonia'', <ref>[http://magonia.com "magonia"]</ref> associated with a somewhat intermittent podcast which can more properly be regarded as record of his radio frequent radio interviews. <ref>[http://www.ivoox.com/podcast-magonia_sq_f15884_1.html magonia podcast]</ref>

In 2011 he produced a series of documentaries on common objects of modern scepticism with the Basque broadcaster EITB.  The pilot programme asked, [[Moon landing hoax | "Did we go to the moon?"]],<ref>[http://blip.tv/escepticos Link to "Did we go to the Moon? Spanish documentary]</ref> and the follow-up programme was about [[alternative medicine]] and asked, "Does it work for you?"

==Books==
He has written ''La cara oculta del misterio'' ("The Hidden Face of the Mystery") a skeptical book about the paranormal. <ref>[http://www.casadellibro.com/libro-la-cara-oculta-del-misterio/9788498367058/1775227  La Cara Oculta del Misterio]</ref>  He also collaborated on the book ''Skeptical Odysseys: Personal Accounts by the World's Leading Paranormal Investigations'' <ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Skeptical-Odysseys-Personal-Paranormal-Investigations/product-reviews/1573928844/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1  "Skeptical Odysseys: Personal Accounts by the World's Leading Paranormal Investigations]</ref> which included essays by many well-known [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[United States|American]] skeptics and scientists.

==Controversy and popular culture==
Public attention was drawn to Luis Alfonso Gámez in 2007 when he was the subject of a legal process after being sued for defamation by the writer and [[Ufologist]] Juan José Benítez. Gamez lost the lawsuit and had to pay compensations amounting to 6000 [[Euro|EUR]]<ref>https://elpais.com/diario/2007/08/02/radiotv/1186005602_850215.html</ref>.

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gamez, Luis Alfonso}}

[[Category:Authors]]
[[Category:Atheists]]
[[Category:Bloggers]]
[[Category:Living people]]

Categories: Authors, Atheists, Bloggers, Living people