Michael Shermer's 'Why People Believe Weird Things...!!!'

Kallisti, Damn'd Sod..!!! Sun Feb 14, 2010 9:45 am

Michael Shermer's 'Why People Believe Weird Things'

Why do so many people believe in mind reading, past-life regression therapy, abductions by extraterrestrials, and ghosts?
What has led to the rise of 'scientific creationism' and the belief that the Holocaust never happened?
Why, in this age of supposed scientific enlightenment, do we seem to be more impressionable than ever?
With a no-holds-barred assault on popular superstitions and prejudices, science historian Michael Shermer debunks these extraordinary claims and explores the very human reasons we find otherworldly phenomena, conspiracy theories, and cults so appealing.
But Shermer also reveals the more worrisome side of wishful thinking, including the recovered memory movement, satanic rituals and other modern witch crazes, and ideologies of racial superiority.
Shermer concludes by describing his confrontations with those who takes advantage of people's gullibility to advance their own, often self-serving, agendas.
In a brand-new chapter, he explores the trend among major, respected researchers to corrupt the scientific process in support of their own nonscientific belief systems.
Compelling and often disturbing, 'Why people believe weird things' is not only an insightful portrait of our immense capacity for self-delusion but, ultimately, a celebration of the scientific spirit.

Or Here...

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/michael_shermer_on_believing_strange_things.html

It's Got This Nice Touch At The End...

Sort Of Ruins The Song A Bit...!!!

thumbs up

♥WW♥ Sun Feb 14, 2010 10:29 am

I like James Randi myself. Wink

Superfly Sun Feb 14, 2010 4:58 pm

So the vegas casino paid 28 large for a cheese samich of Mary.

Ciggy Sun Feb 14, 2010 7:52 pm

Wilson was right:

Less clinical, but socially even more nefarious, are the leagues of self-proclaimed gurus and their equally deluded disciples, who have discovered, as I did, that there are many realities (plural), but have picked out one favorite non-Occidental reality-tunnel, named it Ultimate Reality or True Reality, and established new fanaticisms, snobberies, dogmas and cults around these delusions.

Daisy_Icke Mon Feb 15, 2010 6:35 am

My daddy always speaks the truth. Even when proven wrong.

I wear turquoise and am growing my hear into a mullet.

Kallisti, Damn'd Sod..!!! Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:55 pm

Funny Enough When I Was Watching Michael Shermer On The TED Talk...

I Saw Jamie Oliver On The Speakers List...

http://www.ted.com/

Michael Shermer's 'Why People Believe Weird Things...!!!' Jamieoliver

Michael Shermer's 'Why People Believe Weird Things...!!!' Jamieoliver

I Have Always Thought Of Him As A Bit Of A Tool,
A Mockney Wide Boy...

But A Couple Of His Programmes On The Telly,
About The Food Industry Have Been Pretty Good Recentley...

I Was Pleasantley Surprised By His TED Speech...

He Speakes About The Biggest Threat To America,
In Terms Of Death...

Is Not Terrorists, Global Warming Or Murder...

But Health Problems Cause By Very Bad Diet...!!!

Turns Out The "Mockney Reject" Only Went And Won The £100,000 Quid Prize...!!!

Jamie Oliver wins $100,000 TED Prize, calls for healthy food movement in schools

http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/next/archives/2010/02/jamie_oliver_wi.html

popcorn

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Michael Shermer's 'Why People Believe Weird Things...!!!'

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Re: Michael Shermer's 'Why People Believe Weird Things...!!!'

Re: Michael Shermer's 'Why People Believe Weird Things...!!!'

Re: Michael Shermer's 'Why People Believe Weird Things...!!!'

Re: Michael Shermer's 'Why People Believe Weird Things...!!!'

Re: Michael Shermer's 'Why People Believe Weird Things...!!!'