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Kilted_Warrior
Skeptic Friend
Canada
118 Posts |
 Posted - 11/28/2002 : 20:52:58
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In English this semester I am doing a major essay on the huge amount of pseudo-science in books, on TV, and in the movies. One example I found was that in the library at my school, we have approx. 78 books with such titles as "A teenagers guide to astrology" or "How to use Tarot to improve your life" and such fames authors as Sylvia Browne.
If anyone has any topics or books that could help me illustrate this point and show some people the real meaning of skepticism and how to it apply's to youth it would be very helpful.
ps My current thesis is "People are gullible ignoramus'", will it work?
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PhDreamer
SFN Regular
USA
925 Posts |
 Posted - 11/28/2002 : 21:43:30 [Permalink]
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A good place to start might be Michael Shermer's Why People Believe Weird Things. A skeptic's bible if there ever was. Bob Carroll of the Skeptic's Dictionary has a recently published book but I don't know anyone who's read it.
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I believe that, as a species, human beings define their reality through suffering and misery.
-Agent Smith |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2002 : 02:58:53 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Kilted_Warrior
In English this semester I am doing a major essay on the huge amount of pseudo-science in books, on TV, and in the movies. One example I found was that in the library at my school, we have approx. 78 books with such titles as "A teenagers guide to astrology" or "How to use Tarot to improve your life" and such fames authors as Sylvia Browne.
If anyone has any topics or books that could help me illustrate this point and show some people the real meaning of skepticism and how to it apply's to youth it would be very helpful.
ps My current thesis is "People are gullible ignoramus'", will it work?
I have a book about phrenology and a couple about witchcraft, if you want to borrow them.
Hum! I don't know about your working title, if you start out by insulting people, will they want to read more? That's why I've never read any of those books called 'ABC for Dummies' |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2002 : 03:31:27 [Permalink]
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quote:
A good place to start might be Michael Shermer's Why People Believe Weird Things. A skeptic's bible if there ever was. Bob Carroll of the Skeptic's Dictionary has a recently published book but I don't know anyone who's read it.
I don't have Carroll's book, but I've spent a lot of time at the site. It is highly instructive and I'd start there.
Good luck with it!
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist! 
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Tokyodreamer
SFN Regular
USA
1447 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2002 : 06:52:03 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by PhDreamer
Bob Carroll of the Skeptic's Dictionary has a recently published book but I don't know anyone who's read it.
It says on the site that it will be published next July (unless he published another book before his "Skeptic's Dictionary"?).
Finally! I've been waiting for this. (This site is probably 90% responsible for leading me to the path of being a skeptic and an atheist). |
| Edited by - Tokyodreamer on 11/29/2002 06:52:47 |
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PhDreamer
SFN Regular
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2002 : 15:08:40 [Permalink]
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Here is the info about Carroll's first book, Becoming A Critical Thinker. It seems his new book will be a collection of the best stuff from his website. Should be worthwhile.
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I believe that, as a species, human beings define their reality through suffering and misery.
-Agent Smith |
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Mr. Skinny
New Member
14 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2002 : 14:55:14 [Permalink]
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I have recently read "Demon Haunted World" by Carl Sagan and "Bad Astronomy" by Phil Plait. Both are excellent books that present a skeptical outlook.
I also recommend Phil Plait's web site www.badastronomy.com. The is some good discussion there (and on the message board) about poor science, etc. in the media. |
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Kilted_Warrior
Skeptic Friend
Canada
118 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2002 : 16:50:33 [Permalink]
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Thanks for all the input!
I already read The Demon-Haunted World and How we believe and they were both great. The Skeptic's Dictionary is also a great rescource.
Thanks again. |
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