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Author | Topic: A little motivational speech by Micheal Shermer (Why do people believe weird things?) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
ramoss Member (Idle past 640 days) Posts: 3228 Joined: |
This is a little motivational speech by Michael Shermer in which he talks about Why do people believe weird things?
Interesting little 'podcast' TED Talks Edited by Adminnemooseus, : Added the "(Why do people believe weird things?)" part to the topic title.
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Phat Member Posts: 18345 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 1.0 |
Before I click on your link, who is this person?
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crashfrog Member (Idle past 1494 days) Posts: 19762 From: Silver Spring, MD Joined: |
He's the author of several books, including "Why Darwin Matters" and "Why People Believe Weird Things"; the editor(-in-chief?) of Skeptic Magazine; and a prominent feature on several science/skeptic podcasts, including Skepticality (my fav.) He's a close friend of "The Amazing" James Randi, famed debunker of assorted nonsense and intellectual heir to Harry Houdini.
All in all a top-class intellect and science writer. Edited by crashfrog, : No reason given.
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nator Member (Idle past 2197 days) Posts: 12961 From: Ann Arbor Joined: |
Don't forget; he's also the author of Why we Believe.
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Percy Member Posts: 22500 From: New Hampshire Joined: Member Rating: 4.9 |
He also writes a monthly column in Scientific American, and several years ago he had a TV program that debunked common myths (much more politely, thoroughly and openmindedly than Penn and Teller).
Just discovered Skepticality last night - not bad! --Percy
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Taz Member (Idle past 3319 days) Posts: 5069 From: Zerus Joined: |
Percy writes:
Yes, but not as entertaining. much more politely, thoroughly and openmindedly than Penn and Teller Place yourself on the map at http://www.frappr.com/evc The thread about this map can be found here.
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Parasomnium Member Posts: 2224 Joined: |
Here is a very readable interview with him, in which you get to know the man's background a little, and his moderate views on the creationism/evolution debate. At the end, there's a real eye-opener about religiosity and morality in the US.
"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science." - Charles Darwin. Did you know that most of the time your computer is doing nothing? What if you could make it do something really useful? Like helping scientists understand diseases? Your computer could even be instrumental in finding a cure for HIV/AIDS. Wouldn't that be something? If you agree, then join World Community Grid now and download a simple, free tool that lets you and your computer do your share in helping humanity. After all, you are part of it, so why not take part in it?
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Hyroglyphx Inactive Member |
He's also the guy who got beat badly in a debate by Kent Hovind, of all people.
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nator Member (Idle past 2197 days) Posts: 12961 From: Ann Arbor Joined: |
Who says he was beaten?
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Hyroglyphx Inactive Member |
Who says he was beaten? If you'll watch the video, its very apparent as to who won the debate. Debates are mostly about the presentation and the aura of superiority. Whether the information is factual or not is almost inconsequential depending on how well your presentation is. Shermer was ill-equipped when he went into the debate and was visibly flustered by Hovind's style. It appeared that Shermer, thinking of himself as an intellectual giant, thought he'd waltz in their and mop the floor with Hovind. That wasn't the case. Although I don't endorse Hovind, he is an excellent orator, which no doubt gives him an edge in his debates. "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God." -2nd Corinthians 10:4-5
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Percy Member Posts: 22500 From: New Hampshire Joined: Member Rating: 4.9 |
Gee, I never knew Shermer debated Hovind. Thanks for the link!
--Percy
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iceage  Suspended Member (Idle past 5942 days) Posts: 1024 From: Pacific Northwest Joined: |
Here is Michael's discussion on his experience....
http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/04-05-10.html
Michael Shermer writes:
Who won the debate? Intellectually, I did, with Hovind once again conceding defeat on the last question of the evening: “What is the best evidence for the creation?” He answered: “The impossibility of the contrary” (evolution). In that simple statement, Hovind confessed the scientific sin of all creationists: Disproving evolution does not prove the creationist contrary. “And then a miracle happens” is not science. To Hovind and all creationists I say: I think you need to be more explicit here in step two.
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Parasomnium Member Posts: 2224 Joined: |
Debates are mostly about the presentation and the aura of superiority. I am looking at that debate right now and the only aura I perceive is an aura of ignorance around Kent Hovind. This man says he taught science for fifteen years, but he's producing scientific howlers by the dozens. I'm going back to watching the debate. Edited by Parasomnium, : No reason given. "Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science." - Charles Darwin. Did you know that most of the time your computer is doing nothing? What if you could make it do something really useful? Like helping scientists understand diseases? Your computer could even be instrumental in finding a cure for HIV/AIDS. Wouldn't that be something? If you agree, then join World Community Grid now and download a simple, free tool that lets you and your computer do your share in helping humanity. After all, you are part of it, so why not take part in it?
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Hyroglyphx Inactive Member |
Gee, I never knew Shermer debated Hovind. Thanks for the link! Are you being facetious? "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God." -2nd Corinthians 10:4-5
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nator Member (Idle past 2197 days) Posts: 12961 From: Ann Arbor Joined: |
quote: Oh, so you mean Hovind won in the worthless, political, bullshit kind of winning. If this is what you think constitutes "winning" a debate, it's no wonder you suck so bad in debate here. Edited by schrafinator, : No reason given.
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