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{{Short description|Canadian writer (born 1975)}}
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'''Daniel Loxton''' (born 1975) is a Canadian writer, illustrator, and [[scientific skepticism|skeptic]]. He wrote or co-wrote several books including ''Tales of Prehistoric Life,'' a children's science trilogy, and ''[[Abominable Science! (book)|Abominable Science!]]'', a scientific look at [[cryptozoology]]. As editor of ''Junior Skeptic'', Loxton writes and illustrates most issues of ''Junior Skeptic'', a children's science section in the [[Skeptics Society]]'s ''[[Skeptic (U.S. magazine)|Skeptic]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/03/the-junior-skeptic-explains-evolution-daniel-loxton-on-natural-selection/ | title=The Junior Skeptic Explains Evolution |work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | first= Jason B.| last= Jones| accessdate = 2011-02-24 | date=March 16, 2010}}</ref>
'''Daniel Loxton''' (born 1975) is a Canadian writer, illustrator, and [[scientific skepticism|skeptic]]. He wrote or co-wrote several books including ''Tales of Prehistoric Life,'' a children's science trilogy, and ''[[Abominable Science! (book)|Abominable Science!]]'', a scientific look at [[cryptozoology]]. As editor of ''Junior Skeptic'', Loxton writes and illustrates most issues of ''Junior Skeptic'', a children's science section in the [[Skeptics Society]]'s ''[[Skeptic (U.S. magazine)|Skeptic]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/03/the-junior-skeptic-explains-evolution-daniel-loxton-on-natural-selection/ | title=The Junior Skeptic Explains Evolution |work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | first= Jason B.| last= Jones| access-date = 2011-02-24 | date=March 16, 2010}}</ref>


Loxton has written articles for critical thinking publications including ''eSkeptic'', ''Skeptic'', ''[[Skeptical Briefs]]'', and the ''[[Skeptical Inquirer]]'' as well as contributed cover art to ''Skeptic'', ''[[Yes! (U.S. magazine)|Yes]]'', and ''[[Free Inquiry]]''. He also regularly contributes to Skepticblog, a collaboration [[blog]] promoting [[science]], [[critical thinking]], and [[scientific skepticism|skepticism]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://skepticblog.org/author/loxton/ | title = Skepticblog (Daniel Loxton)}}</ref>
Loxton has written articles for critical thinking publications including ''eSkeptic'', ''Skeptic'', ''[[Skeptical Briefs]]'', and the ''[[Skeptical Inquirer]]'' as well as contributed cover art to ''Skeptic'', ''[[Yes! (U.S. magazine)|Yes]]'', and ''[[Free Inquiry]]''. He also regularly contributes to Skepticblog, a collaboration [[blog]] promoting [[science]], [[critical thinking]], and [[scientific skepticism|skepticism]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://skepticblog.org/author/loxton/ | title = Skepticblog (Daniel Loxton)}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Loxton credits [[Barry Beyerstein]] for his interest in skepticism. In several interviews Loxton talks about attending a science fiction conference in British Columbia in 1991 and hearing Beyerstein speak on behalf of the BC Skeptics. "He calmly and kindly fielded questions from the audience—and I was shocked by almost everything he said. This wasn’t the usual fluff: this guy really knew what he was talking about, in a way that I had never encountered before. Even his 'I don’t know's were substantial in a way that I wasn’t used to hearing."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geekmom.com/tag/barry-beyerstein/ |title=Interview With Daniel Loxton of Junior Skeptic Magazine|publisher=University of Phoenix - Geek Mom |date=September 1, 2011 |accessdate=2011-09-04}}</ref><ref name="MTS">{{cite web|url=http://meettheskeptics.libsyn.com/mts-meet-daniel-loxton|title=MTS: Meet Daniel Loxton|publisher=Christopher Brown |date=March 16, 2011 |accessdate=2011-09-04}}</ref>
Loxton credits [[Barry Beyerstein]] for his interest in skepticism. In several interviews Loxton talks about attending a science fiction conference in British Columbia in 1991 and hearing Beyerstein speak on behalf of the BC Skeptics. "He calmly and kindly fielded questions from the audience—and I was shocked by almost everything he said. This wasn’t the usual fluff: this guy really knew what he was talking about, in a way that I had never encountered before. Even his 'I don’t know's were substantial in a way that I wasn’t used to hearing."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geekmom.com/tag/barry-beyerstein/ |title=Interview With Daniel Loxton of Junior Skeptic Magazine |publisher=University of Phoenix - Geek Mom |date=September 1, 2011 |access-date=2011-09-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313023914/http://geekmom.com/2011/09/interview-with-daniel-loxton-of-junior-skeptic-magazine/ |archive-date=2016-03-13 }}</ref><ref name="MTS">{{cite web|url=http://meettheskeptics.libsyn.com/mts-meet-daniel-loxton|title=MTS: Meet Daniel Loxton|publisher=Christopher Brown|date=March 16, 2011|access-date=2011-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326004146/http://meettheskeptics.libsyn.com/mts-meet-daniel-loxton|archive-date=March 26, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Loxton worked as a professional shepherd in [[British Columbia]] on the [[Canadian]] side of the [[Alaska Panhandle]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.skeptic.com/junior_skeptic/meet_the_creators.html | title = Skeptic Magazine 'Meet the Creators'}}</ref>
Loxton worked as a professional shepherd in [[British Columbia]] on the [[Canadians|Canadian]] side of the [[Alaska Panhandle]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.skeptic.com/junior_skeptic/meet_the_creators.html | title = Skeptic Magazine 'Meet the Creators'}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==


Loxton has published articles on skeptical activism. In 2007, he wrote "Where Do We Go From Here?" about the direction of the new generation of skepticism,<ref name="Wheredowego">{{cite web | url = http://www.skeptic.com/downloads/WhereDoWeGoFromHere.pdf | title = Where Do We Go From Here?}}</ref> and which helped to inspire the [[SkeptiCamp]] community organized conferences on [[scientific skepticism]].{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} Then in 2009, he wrote "What Do I Do Next?" providing ideas for individual involvement in the skepticism movement,<ref name="Whatdoido">{{cite web | url = http://www.skeptic.com/downloads/WhatDoIDoNext.pdf | title = What Do I Do Next?}}</ref> which was featured on an episode of the [[Skepticality]] podcast.<ref name="Skepticality63">{{Citation | title=Ep. #63 - Where Do We Go From Here?
Loxton has published articles on skeptical activism. In 2007, he wrote "Where Do We Go From Here?" about the direction of the new generation of skepticism,<ref name="Wheredowego">{{cite web |last1=Loxton |first1=Daniel |author-link1=Daniel Loxton |title=Where Do We Go From Here?: Has classic skepticism run its course? |url=https://www.skeptic.com/downloads/WhereDoWeGoFromHere.pdf |website=Skeptic.com |access-date=15 January 2019}}</ref> and which helped to inspire the [[SkeptiCamp]] community organized conferences on [[scientific skepticism]].{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} Then in 2009, he wrote "What Do I Do Next?" providing ideas for individual involvement in the skepticism movement,<ref name="Whatdoido">{{cite web | url = http://www.skeptic.com/downloads/WhatDoIDoNext.pdf | title = What Do I Do Next?}}</ref> which was featured on an episode of the [[Skepticality]] podcast.<ref name="Skepticality63">{{Citation | title=Ep. #63 - Where Do We Go From Here?
| date=October 16, 2007 | url=http://www.skepticality.com/where-do-we-go-from-here/
| date=October 16, 2007 | url=http://www.skepticality.com/where-do-we-go-from-here/
| author=Swoopy | authorlink=Robynn McCarthy | first2=Derek | last2=Colanduno | author2-link=Derek Colanduno | work=[[Skepticality]] | publisher=[[Skeptic (U.S. magazine)|Skeptic Magazine]] | accessdate=November 27, 2011 }}</ref> In 2014, he wrote "Why Is There a Skeptical Movement?" which explores "the roots, founding principles, and purpose of scientific skepticism. Arguing that it is essential for skeptics to “appreciate that we’re caretakers for the work of those who have come before,” Loxton carries forward the discussion about the scope and limits of scientific skepticism that has been raised again in recent days".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/13-02-06/#feature | title = Why Is There a Skeptical Movement? | accessdate= March 19, 2014}}</ref>
| author=Swoopy | author-link=Robynn McCarthy | first2=Derek | last2=Colanduno | author2-link=Derek Colanduno | work=[[Skepticality]] | publisher=[[Skeptic (U.S. magazine)|Skeptic Magazine]] | access-date=November 27, 2011 }}</ref> In 2014, he wrote "Why Is There a Skeptical Movement?" which explores "the roots, founding principles, and purpose of scientific skepticism. Arguing that it is essential for skeptics to "appreciate that we’re caretakers for the work of those who have come before," Loxton carries forward the discussion about the scope and limits of scientific skepticism that has been raised again in recent days".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/13-02-06/#feature | title = Why Is There a Skeptical Movement? | access-date= March 19, 2014}}</ref>


[[File:Loxton book sign TAM 2013.jpg|thumbnail|Loxton at book signing TAM 2013]]
[[File:Loxton book sign TAM 2013.jpg|thumbnail|Loxton at book signing TAM 2013]]


Loxton is the author of ''Evolution: How We and All Living Things Came To Be'',<ref>{{cite book | title = Evolution: How We and All Living Things Came To Be | last = Loxton | first = Daniel | publisher = Kids Can Press | year = 2010 | isbn = 978-1-55453-430-2 | pages = 56 }}</ref> which was nominated for the Canadian Children's Book Centre's [[Norma Fleck Award]] for Children's Non-Fiction<ref>{{cite web| url=http://arts.nationalpost.com/2011/06/14/shortlists-for-canadian-childrens-book-centre-awards-released/ | title=Shortlists for Canadian Children's Book Centre Awards released | author=Angela Hickman | date=2011-06-14}}</ref> and won the Lane Anderson Award (a $10,000 prize).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bookcentre.ca/news/evolution_wins_lane_anderson_award | title= Evolution wins Lane Anderson Award| publisher= The Canadian Children's Book Centre| work= | accessdate= March 19, 2014}}</ref> When pitching ''Evolution'' to U.S. publishers, Loxton was told "‘Well of course I love it, but we just think it’s a little too hot,’... Which is a strange thing to say about fundamental biology.” Not so in Canada. About writing a children's book on the topic of evolution Loxton states "People forget to see kids as thinking beings, as people who have existential questions that they want answered. They just need the best information available,” he said. “Keep it simple, but make it true.”
Loxton is the author of ''Evolution: How We and All Living Things Came To Be'',<ref>{{cite book | title = Evolution: How We and All Living Things Came To Be | last = Loxton | first = Daniel | publisher = Kids Can Press | year = 2010 | isbn = 978-1-55453-430-2 | pages = 56 }}</ref> which was nominated for the Canadian Children's Book Centre's [[Norma Fleck Award]] for Children's Non-Fiction<ref>{{cite web |url=http://arts.nationalpost.com/2011/06/14/shortlists-for-canadian-childrens-book-centre-awards-released/ |title=Shortlists for Canadian Children's Book Centre Awards released |author=Angela Hickman |date=2011-06-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707114623/http://arts.nationalpost.com/2011/06/14/shortlists-for-canadian-childrens-book-centre-awards-released/ |archive-date=2012-07-07 }}</ref> and won the Lane Anderson Award (a $10,000 prize).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bookcentre.ca/news/evolution_wins_lane_anderson_award | title= Evolution wins Lane Anderson Award| publisher= The Canadian Children's Book Centre| access-date= March 19, 2014}}</ref> When pitching ''Evolution'' to U.S. publishers, Loxton was told, "‘Well of course I love it, but we just think it’s a little too hot,’... Which is a strange thing to say about fundamental biology." Not so in Canada. About writing a children's book on the topic of evolution Loxton states, "People forget to see kids as thinking beings, as people who have existential questions that they want answered. They just need the best information available," he said. "Keep it simple, but make it true."


[[File:Loxton at podum TAM 2013.JPG|thumbnail|Loxton at podium at TAM 2013 - Preserving Skeptic History]]
[[File:Loxton at podum TAM 2013.JPG|thumbnail|Loxton at podium at TAM 2013 - Preserving Skeptic History]]


In 2011, he wrote ''Ankylosaur Attack (Tales of Prehistoric Life)'', which was nominated for a [[Forest of Reading]] Silver Birch Express award from the Ontario Library Association.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.accessola.org/OLAWEB/Forest_of_Reading/Awards_Nominees/Silver_Birch_Express_Nominees.aspx | title=Silver Birch Express 2013}} He was featured in an interview on [[The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe]] podcast #194, and again in #414.</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.theskepticsguide.org/archive/podcastinfo.aspx?mid=1&pid=194 | title=Episode 194 | work=Official Skeptics' Guide Site}}</ref> He also appeared in an interview on the [[JREF]] podcast, [[For Good Reason]] in the episode dated February 6, 2010 and on Christopher Brown's ''Meet the Skeptics!'' podcast.<ref name="MTS" />
In 2011, he wrote ''Ankylosaur Attack (Tales of Prehistoric Life)'', which was nominated for a [[Forest of Reading]] Silver Birch Express award from the Ontario Library Association.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.accessola.org/OLAWEB/Forest_of_Reading/Awards_Nominees/Silver_Birch_Express_Nominees.aspx |title=Silver Birch Express 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112222637/http://www.accessola.org/OLAWEB/Forest_of_Reading/Awards_Nominees/Silver_Birch_Express_Nominees.aspx |archive-date=2013-01-12 }} He was featured in an interview on [[The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe]] podcast #194, and again in #414.</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.theskepticsguide.org/archive/podcastinfo.aspx?mid=1&pid=194 | title=Episode 194 | work=Official Skeptics' Guide Site}}</ref> He also appeared in an interview on the [[JREF]] podcast, [[For Good Reason]] in the episode dated February 6, 2010 and on Christopher Brown's ''Meet the Skeptics!'' podcast.<ref name="MTS" />


In 2013, he co-authored ''Abominable Science!''.
In 2013, he co-authored ''Abominable Science!'', which he described on the [[Skepticality]] podcast episode 213:<ref name="Skepticality213">{{cite web | title = Abominable Science! | date = August 27, 2013 | author=Swoopy | authorlink=Robynn McCarthy | first2=Derek | last2=Colanduno | author2-link=Derek Colanduno | work=[[Skepticality]] | publisher=[[Skeptic (U.S. magazine)|Skeptic Magazine]] | url = http://www.skepticality.com/abominable-science/ | accessdate = March 21, 2014}}</ref>


In 2015, Loxton was elected a fellow of the [[Committee for Skeptical Inquiry]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = Ten Distinguished Scientists and Scholars Named Fellows of Committee for Skeptical Inquiry - CSI|url = http://www.csicop.org/si/show/ten_distinguished_scientists_and_scholars_named_fellows_of_committee_for_sk|website = www.csicop.org|access-date = 2015-10-15|archive-date = 2019-01-30|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190130180821/https://www.csicop.org/si/show/ten_distinguished_scientists_and_scholars_named_fellows_of_committee_for_sk|url-status = dead}}</ref>
<blockquote>"[[Abominable Science! (book)|Abominable Science!]]...discusses the origins of a number of famous cryptids, well known cryptids, including the [[Yeti]], [[Bigfoot]], the [[Nessie]], [[Sea serpent|Sea Serpents]], and the [[Mokele Mbembe]] (a sauropod dinosaur alleged to live on in the heart of Africa).

"I really take this book as a direct continuation of my life-long fascination with [[Cryptids]], and I think that anyone who is fascinated with [[Cryptozoology]], regardless of how plausible they find these creatures, I think should find plenty of meat in this book to enjoy. It's a hard-hitting book. True believers will find plenty to challenge them, plenty to chew on, but I think that they'll find plenty to love."

"You won't be surprised to hear that we find that [[Cryptids]] are highly improbably overall, and the most famous ones, are in some cases, really can be laid to rest, the [[Loch Ness Monster]] in particular. But people will find the journey that we follow here I think more interesting than the conclusion in some cases. We're able to shed some light on, as the sub-title says, the origins of these things, get to the roots of how exactly these ideas came about and in some cases to effectively solve them either by expanding upon information that was known in the literature, but poorly explored in the past or in some cases by presenting new information altogether."</blockquote>In 2015, Loxton was elected a fellow of the [[Committee of Skeptical Inquiry]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = Ten Distinguished Scientists and Scholars Named Fellows of Committee for Skeptical Inquiry - CSI|url = http://www.csicop.org/si/show/ten_distinguished_scientists_and_scholars_named_fellows_of_committee_for_sk|website = www.csicop.org|accessdate = 2015-10-15}}</ref>


==Books==
==Books==
*{{Citation | last =Loxton | first = Daniel | last2 = | first2 = | title = Evolution: How We and All Living Things Came to Be | place = | publisher = [[Kids Can Press]] | year = 2010 | pages=56 | isbn = 978-1554534302 | url= }} (translated into Slovenian, Korean, Norwegian, and, in a modified form as the separate book Evolução, Portuguese).
*{{Citation | last =Loxton | first = Daniel | title = Evolution: How We and All Living Things Came to Be | publisher = [[Kids Can Press]] | year = 2010 | pages=56 | isbn = 978-1554534302 }} (translated into Slovenian, Korean, Norwegian, Persian, and, in a modified form as the separate book Evolução, Portuguese).
*{{Citation | last =Loxton | first = Daniel | last2 = Smith| first2 = Jim W.W.| title = Ankylosaur Attack | place = |series = (Tales of Prehistoric Life)| publisher = [[Kids Can Press]] | year = 2011 | pages=32 | isbn = 978-1554536313 | url= }}
*{{Citation | last = Loxton | first = Daniel | last2 = Smith | first2 = Jim W.W. | title = Ankylosaur Attack | series = (Tales of Prehistoric Life) | publisher = [[Kids Can Press]] | year = 2011 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/ankylosaurattack0000loxt/page/32 32] | isbn = 978-1554536313 | url = https://archive.org/details/ankylosaurattack0000loxt/page/32 }}
*{{Citation | last =Loxton | first = Daniel | last2 = Smith| first2 = Jim W.W.| title = Pterosaur Trouble | place = |series = (Tales of Prehistoric Life)| publisher = [[Kids Can Press]] | year = 2013 | pages=32 | isbn = 978-1554536320 | url= }}
*{{Citation | last = Loxton | first = Daniel | last2 = Smith | first2 = Jim W.W. | title = Pterosaur Trouble | series = (Tales of Prehistoric Life) | publisher = [[Kids Can Press]] | year = 2013 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/pterosaurtrouble0000loxt/page/32 32] | isbn = 978-1554536320 | url = https://archive.org/details/pterosaurtrouble0000loxt/page/32 }}
*{{Citation | last =Loxton | first = Daniel | last2 = Prothero| first2 = Donald R| title = Abominable Science!: Origins of the Yeti, Nessie, and Other Famous Cryptids | author2-link = Donald Prothero | place = |series = | publisher = [[Columbia University Press]] | year = 2013 | pages=432 | isbn = 978-0231153201 | url= }}
*{{Citation | last = Loxton | first = Daniel | last2 = Prothero | first2 = Donald R | title = Abominable Science!: Origins of the Yeti, Nessie, and Other Famous Cryptids | author2-link = Donald Prothero | publisher = [[Columbia University Press]] | year = 2013 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/abominablescienc0000loxt/page/432 432] | isbn = 978-0231153201 | url = https://archive.org/details/abominablescienc0000loxt/page/432 | url-access = registration }}
*{{Citation | last =Loxton | first = Daniel | last2 = Smith| first2 = Jim W.W.| title = Plesiosaur Peril | place = |series = (Tales of Prehistoric Life)| publisher = [[Kids Can Press]] | year = 2014 | pages=32 | isbn = 978-1554536337 | url= }}
*{{Citation | last =Loxton | first = Daniel | last2 = Smith| first2 = Jim W.W.| title = Plesiosaur Peril |series = (Tales of Prehistoric Life)| publisher = [[Kids Can Press]] | year = 2014 | pages=32 | isbn = 978-1554536337 }}

==Podcasts==

Loxton has been a frequent guest on the [[Skepticality]] podcast on a variety of topics:

*''Where Do We Go From Here?'' - Loxton offers his perspective on the future of skepticism as a movement. His op-ed essay <ref name="Wheredowego" /> argues that the search for a "new skepticism" is misguided and that the early titans of skepticism had it right in the first place. Discussion with Skepticality hosts [[Derek Colanduno|Derek]] & [[Robynn McCarthy|Swoopy]] follows.<ref name="Skepticality63" />
*''Skeptrack Panel Discussion – Where Do We Go?'' - Skepticality rounds out its 2007 [[Dragon*Con]] coverage with the Skeptrack panel inspired Loxton's op-ed essay, "Where Do We Go From Here?" <ref name="Wheredowego" /> Loxton also joins Swoopy to share his thoughts upon hearing the panel discussion, and about skeptical trends.<ref>{{Citation | title= Skeptrack Panel Discussion – Where Do We Go?| date= September 22, 2008| author=Swoopy | authorlink=Robynn McCarthy | first2=Derek | last2=Colanduno | author2-link=Derek Colanduno | work=[[Skepticality]] | publisher=[[Skeptic (U.S. magazine)|Skeptic Magazine]]|url= http://www.skepticality.com/skeptrack-panel-discussion/|accessdate= March 26, 2014}}</ref>
*''What Do I Do Next?'' - Loxton returns to tell Swoopy how a panel of 13 skeptics contributed to the follow-up project, What Do I Do Next?:<ref name="Whatdoido" /> Leading Skeptics Discuss 105 Practical Ways to Promote Science and Advance Skepticism.<ref>{{Citation | title= What Do I Do Next? | date= March 24, 2009| author=Swoopy | authorlink=Robynn McCarthy | first2=Derek | last2=Colanduno | author2-link=Derek Colanduno | work=[[Skepticality]] | publisher=[[Skeptic (U.S. magazine)|Skeptic Magazine]]|url= http://www.skepticality.com/what-do-i-do-next/|accessdate= March 26, 2014}}</ref>
*''Skeptics Mix Tape & Jenny McCarthy'' - Derek & Swoopy talk with Loxton about the launch of the “Skeptics Mix Tape” project. This eclectic collection of songs of science and skepticism are available as free MP3's from Skeptic.com.<ref>{{Citation | title=Skeptics Mix Tape & Jenny McCarthy | date= June 16, 2009| author=Swoopy | authorlink=Robynn McCarthy | first2=Derek | last2=Colanduno | author2-link=Derek Colanduno | work=[[Skepticality]] | publisher=[[Skeptic (U.S. magazine)|Skeptic Magazine]]|url=http://www.skepticality.com/skeptics-mix-tape-jenny-mccarthy/ |accessdate= March 26, 2014}}</ref>
*''Evolution of Jr. Skeptic'' - Loxton joins Skeptics Society co-founder [[Pat Linse]] to talk about their creation: a full-color children's book entitled "Evolution: How We and All Living Things Came to Be".<ref>{{Citation | title= Evolution of Jr. Skeptic| date= January 26, 2010| author=Swoopy | authorlink=Robynn McCarthy | first2=Derek | last2=Colanduno | author2-link=Derek Colanduno | work=[[Skepticality]] | publisher=[[Skeptic (U.S. magazine)|Skeptic Magazine]]|url= http://www.skepticality.com/evolution-of-jr-skeptic/|accessdate= March 26, 2014}}</ref>
*''Team Skeptic TAM 8 Round Table'' - Loxton, Blake Smith and [[Tim Farley]] discuss their impressions of the 2010 [[The Amazing Meeting|TAM]] 8 Las Vegas with hosts Derek and Swoopy.<ref>{{Citation | title=Team Skeptic TAM 8 Round Table | date= July 22, 2010| author=Swoopy | authorlink=Robynn McCarthy | first2=Derek | last2=Colanduno | author2-link=Derek Colanduno | work=[[Skepticality]] | publisher=[[Skeptic (U.S. magazine)|Skeptic Magazine]]|url=http://www.skepticality.com/team-skeptic-tam-8-round-table/ |accessdate= March 26, 2014}}</ref>
*''[[Ankylosaur]] of the Cosmos'' - Loxton discusses his then just released book [[Ankylosaur Attack]].<ref>{{Citation | title=Ankylosaur of the Cosmos | date= September 27, 2011| author=Swoopy | authorlink=Robynn McCarthy | first2=Derek | last2=Colanduno | author2-link=Derek Colanduno | work=[[Skepticality]] | publisher=[[Skeptic (U.S. magazine)|Skeptic Magazine]]|url= http://www.skepticality.com/ankylosaur-cosmos/|accessdate= March 26, 2014}}</ref>
*''Abominable Science'' - Derek interviews Loxton and co-author [[Donald Prothero]] about the book, and gets their impressions from doing the research into the [[Cryptozoological]] topics contained therein.<ref name="Skepticality213" />
*''Goin' Prehistoric'', Loxton discusses his third book in the "Tales of Prehistoric Life" series: [[Pterosaur Trouble]]<ref>{{Citation | title=Goin’ Prehistoric | date=April 9, 2013 | author=Swoopy | authorlink=Robynn McCarthy | first2=Derek | last2=Colanduno | author2-link=Derek Colanduno | work=[[Skepticality]] | publisher=[[Skeptic (U.S. magazine)|Skeptic Magazine]]|url= http://www.skepticality.com/goin-prehistoric/|accessdate= March 26, 2014}}</ref>

He has also been a guest on the Token Skeptic podcast:
*Episode 156: Loxton discusses his paper, ''Why is There a Skeptical Movement?'' with host [[Kylie Sturgess]]<ref>{{Citation | title= Episode One Hundred And Fifty Six – On Why Is There A Skeptical Movement – Interview With Daniel Loxton| date= February 26, 2013 | author=Kylie Sturgess | authorlink= Kylie Sturgess| publisher= The Token Skeptic Podcast|url= http://tokenskeptic.org/2013/02/26/episode-one-hundred-and-fifty-six-on-why-is-there-a-skeptical-movement-interview-with-daniel-loxton/|accessdate= March 26, 2014}}</ref>
*Episode 172: Loxton and [[Donald Prothero]] present the arguments for and against the existence of the most famous (and debated) monsters in history introducing their book [[Abominable Science! (book)|Abominable Science!]]<ref>{{Citation | title= Episode One Hundred And Seventy Two – On Abominable Science – Interview With Daniel Loxton And Donald Prothero| date= December 23, 2013 | author=Kylie Sturgess | authorlink= Kylie Sturgess| publisher= The Token Skeptic Podcast|url= http://tokenskeptic.org/2013/12/23/episode-one-hundred-and-seventy-two-on-abominable-science-interview-with-daniel-loxton-and-donald-prothero/|accessdate= March 26, 2014}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Loxton, Daniel}}
[[Category:Canadian science writers]]
[[Category:Canadian science writers]]
[[Category:Critics of cryptozoology]]
[[Category:Critics of parapsychology]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Canadian skeptics]]
[[Category:Canadian skeptics]]
[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry]]
[[Category:Canadian humanists]]

Latest revision as of 05:24, 14 May 2024

Daniel Loxton
Daniel Loxton
NationalityCanadian
Occupation(s)Writer, editor

Daniel Loxton (born 1975) is a Canadian writer, illustrator, and skeptic. He wrote or co-wrote several books including Tales of Prehistoric Life, a children's science trilogy, and Abominable Science!, a scientific look at cryptozoology. As editor of Junior Skeptic, Loxton writes and illustrates most issues of Junior Skeptic, a children's science section in the Skeptics Society's Skeptic magazine.[1]

Loxton has written articles for critical thinking publications including eSkeptic, Skeptic, Skeptical Briefs, and the Skeptical Inquirer as well as contributed cover art to Skeptic, Yes, and Free Inquiry. He also regularly contributes to Skepticblog, a collaboration blog promoting science, critical thinking, and skepticism.[2]

Early life[edit]

Loxton credits Barry Beyerstein for his interest in skepticism. In several interviews Loxton talks about attending a science fiction conference in British Columbia in 1991 and hearing Beyerstein speak on behalf of the BC Skeptics. "He calmly and kindly fielded questions from the audience—and I was shocked by almost everything he said. This wasn’t the usual fluff: this guy really knew what he was talking about, in a way that I had never encountered before. Even his 'I don’t know's were substantial in a way that I wasn’t used to hearing."[3][4]

Loxton worked as a professional shepherd in British Columbia on the Canadian side of the Alaska Panhandle.[5]

Career[edit]

Loxton has published articles on skeptical activism. In 2007, he wrote "Where Do We Go From Here?" about the direction of the new generation of skepticism,[6] and which helped to inspire the SkeptiCamp community organized conferences on scientific skepticism.[citation needed] Then in 2009, he wrote "What Do I Do Next?" providing ideas for individual involvement in the skepticism movement,[7] which was featured on an episode of the Skepticality podcast.[8] In 2014, he wrote "Why Is There a Skeptical Movement?" which explores "the roots, founding principles, and purpose of scientific skepticism. Arguing that it is essential for skeptics to "appreciate that we’re caretakers for the work of those who have come before," Loxton carries forward the discussion about the scope and limits of scientific skepticism that has been raised again in recent days".[9]

Loxton at book signing TAM 2013

Loxton is the author of Evolution: How We and All Living Things Came To Be,[10] which was nominated for the Canadian Children's Book Centre's Norma Fleck Award for Children's Non-Fiction[11] and won the Lane Anderson Award (a $10,000 prize).[12] When pitching Evolution to U.S. publishers, Loxton was told, "‘Well of course I love it, but we just think it’s a little too hot,’... Which is a strange thing to say about fundamental biology." Not so in Canada. About writing a children's book on the topic of evolution Loxton states, "People forget to see kids as thinking beings, as people who have existential questions that they want answered. They just need the best information available," he said. "Keep it simple, but make it true."

Loxton at podium at TAM 2013 - Preserving Skeptic History

In 2011, he wrote Ankylosaur Attack (Tales of Prehistoric Life), which was nominated for a Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express award from the Ontario Library Association.[13][14] He also appeared in an interview on the JREF podcast, For Good Reason in the episode dated February 6, 2010 and on Christopher Brown's Meet the Skeptics! podcast.[4]

In 2013, he co-authored Abominable Science!.

In 2015, Loxton was elected a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.[15]

Books[edit]

  • Loxton, Daniel (2010), Evolution: How We and All Living Things Came to Be, Kids Can Press, p. 56, ISBN 978-1554534302 (translated into Slovenian, Korean, Norwegian, Persian, and, in a modified form as the separate book Evolução, Portuguese).
  • Loxton, Daniel; Smith, Jim W.W. (2011), Ankylosaur Attack, (Tales of Prehistoric Life), Kids Can Press, pp. 32, ISBN 978-1554536313
  • Loxton, Daniel; Smith, Jim W.W. (2013), Pterosaur Trouble, (Tales of Prehistoric Life), Kids Can Press, pp. 32, ISBN 978-1554536320
  • Loxton, Daniel; Prothero, Donald R (2013), Abominable Science!: Origins of the Yeti, Nessie, and Other Famous Cryptids, Columbia University Press, pp. 432, ISBN 978-0231153201
  • Loxton, Daniel; Smith, Jim W.W. (2014), Plesiosaur Peril, (Tales of Prehistoric Life), Kids Can Press, p. 32, ISBN 978-1554536337

References[edit]

  1. ^ Jones, Jason B. (March 16, 2010). "The Junior Skeptic Explains Evolution". Wired. Retrieved 2011-02-24.
  2. ^ "Skepticblog (Daniel Loxton)".
  3. ^ "Interview With Daniel Loxton of Junior Skeptic Magazine". University of Phoenix - Geek Mom. September 1, 2011. Archived from the original on 2016-03-13. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
  4. ^ a b "MTS: Meet Daniel Loxton". Christopher Brown. March 16, 2011. Archived from the original on March 26, 2012. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
  5. ^ "Skeptic Magazine 'Meet the Creators'".
  6. ^ Loxton, Daniel. "Where Do We Go From Here?: Has classic skepticism run its course?" (PDF). Skeptic.com. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  7. ^ "What Do I Do Next?" (PDF).
  8. ^ Swoopy; Colanduno, Derek (October 16, 2007), "Ep. #63 - Where Do We Go From Here?", Skepticality, Skeptic Magazine, retrieved November 27, 2011
  9. ^ "Why Is There a Skeptical Movement?". Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  10. ^ Loxton, Daniel (2010). Evolution: How We and All Living Things Came To Be. Kids Can Press. p. 56. ISBN 978-1-55453-430-2.
  11. ^ Angela Hickman (2011-06-14). "Shortlists for Canadian Children's Book Centre Awards released". Archived from the original on 2012-07-07.
  12. ^ "Evolution wins Lane Anderson Award". The Canadian Children's Book Centre. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  13. ^ "Silver Birch Express 2013". Archived from the original on 2013-01-12. He was featured in an interview on The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe podcast #194, and again in #414.
  14. ^ "Episode 194". Official Skeptics' Guide Site.
  15. ^ "Ten Distinguished Scientists and Scholars Named Fellows of Committee for Skeptical Inquiry - CSI". www.csicop.org. Archived from the original on 2019-01-30. Retrieved 2015-10-15.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Daniel_Loxton&oldid=1223761841"