50 Popular Beliefs That People Think Are True

Written by:
Guy P. Harrison
Narrated by:
Erik Synnestvedt

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
73
Narrator
8
Release Date
September 2012
Duration
13 hours 54 minutes
Summary
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.
Reviews
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Emielke Borst

'The urge to believe should never overwhelm the need to think' This book should be a compulsory read! A great reminder to question everything, think critically and not to believe blindly. Some readers may not like the way the author includes his own experiences repeatedly in the book but I found it easier to listen to and absorb than other purely scientific books.

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Beth P.

Great book. Really resonated with me

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Elizabeth E.

While I agree with what the author was saying and back science. His arguments were weak and bias. Easily counter argued using his own arguments against him and science. I was irritated how terribly science was supposedly supported.

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Hector Gómez Barajas

I was expecting more.

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Anonymous

Very thought provoking. A very good book.

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Anonymous

Great book for everyone to read.

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