cosmic
Scholar
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2003
- Messages
- 76
Here is the full Sunday Papers program.
8:00
Skepticism 101: Things Every Skeptic Should Know
A whirlwind overview on subjects every good skeptic should have some basic knowledge about, and the current state of scientific understanding on the topic. This short presentation is intended to empower the novice skeptic to engage in intelligent conversations on these prevalent topics.
David Richards, IIG Member
8:15
Skepticism and Investing - Guaranteed Mutual Funds
Psychics use cold reading and tell you what you want to hear. Some of the same tricks that promote woo may be employed by your investment advisor. Many investment products are all about marketing and can cause great harm to people that don’t know the tricks. With over 15 years experience as an investment advisor, I will detail one such product’s marketing tricks.
Phil Ferguson, Blogger, SkepticMoney.com, and President of Polaris Financial Planning
8:30
The Promotion of Non-Science-Based Healthcare by Chiropractors in the City of Los Angeles
Findings of an investigation of non-science-based recommendations and modalities promoted on 300 chiropractic clinic Web sites.
William M. London, Professor of Health Science, California State University, Los Angeles
8:50
The Media Isn’t Calling Your Skeptics Group, and It’s Your Fault
It is a challenge to get the skeptics’ view into news stories. Understanding the attitudes and business of reporters is essential to getting the skeptical angle in the news, and they are different from what many skeptics assume.
Michael Hartwell, Reporter with the Sentinel & Enterprise daily newspaper in Massachusetts and former president of the Southern Maine Skeptical Society.
9:10
Guerilla Skepticism in Wikipedia
Wikipedia has extraordinary potential to educate the masses. Unfortunately, more than a few Wiki entries need a serious reality check! As an armchair skeptic, that’s where you come in. By citing skeptical references on otherwise one-sided sites, Guerrilla Skepticism allows readers questioning their beliefs to do their own research – a more inviting route to critical thought than in-your-face tactics. Learn how to harness the influence of Wikipedia to deliver skepticism to those who need it most. This approach is quiet, respectful, and best of all, effective.
Susan Gerbic, Independent Investigation Group (IIG), co-founder Monterey County Skeptics
9:25
Hear So They Will Listen:
Using Rogerian Argumentation to Discuss Supernatural and Paranormal Claims
Through establishing empathic understanding between its participants, Rogerian Argumentation provides opportunities for believers in paranormal/supernatural claims to concede some of their arguments without shame. It also allows critical thinkers to more accurately investigate the other person's position, a key component of skeptical inquiry.
Dylan Keenberg, Graduate Student, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
9:50
Emotions Aren’t the Enemy
Skeptics, as promoters of the rational and fact-based reality, have a tendency to disregard emotion as a tool for addressing false belief systems and getting people interested in the movement. Mastery of emotional rhetoric will give proponents of pseudoscience an advantage until skeptics learn to use it effectively for our side of the argument.
Ashley F. Miller, Writer, Filmmaker, ashleyfmiller.com
8:00
Skepticism 101: Things Every Skeptic Should Know
A whirlwind overview on subjects every good skeptic should have some basic knowledge about, and the current state of scientific understanding on the topic. This short presentation is intended to empower the novice skeptic to engage in intelligent conversations on these prevalent topics.
David Richards, IIG Member
8:15
Skepticism and Investing - Guaranteed Mutual Funds
Psychics use cold reading and tell you what you want to hear. Some of the same tricks that promote woo may be employed by your investment advisor. Many investment products are all about marketing and can cause great harm to people that don’t know the tricks. With over 15 years experience as an investment advisor, I will detail one such product’s marketing tricks.
Phil Ferguson, Blogger, SkepticMoney.com, and President of Polaris Financial Planning
8:30
The Promotion of Non-Science-Based Healthcare by Chiropractors in the City of Los Angeles
Findings of an investigation of non-science-based recommendations and modalities promoted on 300 chiropractic clinic Web sites.
William M. London, Professor of Health Science, California State University, Los Angeles
8:50
The Media Isn’t Calling Your Skeptics Group, and It’s Your Fault
It is a challenge to get the skeptics’ view into news stories. Understanding the attitudes and business of reporters is essential to getting the skeptical angle in the news, and they are different from what many skeptics assume.
Michael Hartwell, Reporter with the Sentinel & Enterprise daily newspaper in Massachusetts and former president of the Southern Maine Skeptical Society.
9:10
Guerilla Skepticism in Wikipedia
Wikipedia has extraordinary potential to educate the masses. Unfortunately, more than a few Wiki entries need a serious reality check! As an armchair skeptic, that’s where you come in. By citing skeptical references on otherwise one-sided sites, Guerrilla Skepticism allows readers questioning their beliefs to do their own research – a more inviting route to critical thought than in-your-face tactics. Learn how to harness the influence of Wikipedia to deliver skepticism to those who need it most. This approach is quiet, respectful, and best of all, effective.
Susan Gerbic, Independent Investigation Group (IIG), co-founder Monterey County Skeptics
9:25
Hear So They Will Listen:
Using Rogerian Argumentation to Discuss Supernatural and Paranormal Claims
Through establishing empathic understanding between its participants, Rogerian Argumentation provides opportunities for believers in paranormal/supernatural claims to concede some of their arguments without shame. It also allows critical thinkers to more accurately investigate the other person's position, a key component of skeptical inquiry.
Dylan Keenberg, Graduate Student, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
9:50
Emotions Aren’t the Enemy
Skeptics, as promoters of the rational and fact-based reality, have a tendency to disregard emotion as a tool for addressing false belief systems and getting people interested in the movement. Mastery of emotional rhetoric will give proponents of pseudoscience an advantage until skeptics learn to use it effectively for our side of the argument.
Ashley F. Miller, Writer, Filmmaker, ashleyfmiller.com
