Sep 24, 2012
When journalist and teacher Guy P. Harrison writes about irrational
certainties, he tries to do so in a way that respects the believer
but challenges the belief. When he takes away a comforting or
fascinating idea, he tries to leave some of the wonder of science
in its place. He brought both these approaches to bear in his most
recent book, 50 Popular Beliefs That People Think Are True. From
the publisher's description: Maybe you know someone who swears by
the reliability of psychics or who is in regular contact with
angels. Or perhaps you're trying to find a nice way of dissuading
someone from wasting money on a homeopathy cure. Or you met someone
at a party who insisted the Holocaust never happened or that no one
ever walked on the moon. How do you find a gently persuasive way of
steering people away from unfounded beliefs, bogus cures,
conspiracy theories, and the like? Longtime skeptic Guy P. Harrison
shows you how in this down-to-earth, entertaining exploration of
commonly held extraordinary claims. A veteran journalist, Harrison
has not only surveyed a vast body of literature, but has also
interviewed leading scientists, explored "the most haunted house in
America," frolicked in the inviting waters of the Bermuda Triangle,
and even talked to a "contrite Roswell alien." Harrison is not out
simply to debunk unfounded beliefs. Wherever possible, he presents
alternative scientific explanations, which in most cases are even
more fascinating than the wildest speculation. For example, stories
about UFOs and alien abductions lack good evidence, but science
gives us plenty of reasons to keep exploring outer space for
evidence that life exists elsewhere in the vast universe. The proof
for Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster may be nonexistent, but
scientists are regularly discovering new species, some of which are
truly stranger than fiction. Stressing the excitement of scientific
discovery and the legitimate mysteries and wonder inherent in
reality, Harrison invites readers to share the joys of rational
thinking and the skeptical approach to evaluating our extraordinary
world. Guy joins us this Sunday by phone to discuss his
book.