Why People Believe Weird Things (edit title)

Lance G edited the books like this book of Why People Believe Weird Things 3 weeks ago.

• Added The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark

Shelfari edited the description of Why People Believe Weird Things Saturday, August 1 2009.

• Revised and Expanded Edition. In this age of supposed scientific enlightenment, many people still believe in mind reading, past-life regression theory, New Age hokum, and alien abduction. A no-holds-barred assault on popular superstitions and prejudices, with more than 80,000 copies in print, Why People Believe Weird Things debunks these nonsensical claims and explores the very human reasons people find otherworldly phenomena, conspiracy theories, and cults so appealing. In an entirely new chapter, "Why Smart People Believe in Weird Things," Michael Shermer takes on science luminaries like physicist Frank Tippler and others, who hide their spiritual beliefs behind the trappings of science. Shermer, science historian and true crusader, also reveals the more dangerous side of such illogical thinking, including Holocaust denial, the recovered-memory movement, the satanic ritual abuse scare, and other modern crazes. Why People Believe Strange Things is an eye-opening resource for the most gullible among us and those who want to protect them.

Shelfari edited the contributors of Why People Believe Weird Things Thursday, July 23 2009.

• Added a contributor: Michael Shermer: (Primary Author)

Shelfari edited the first sentence of Why People Believe Weird Things Friday, July 17 2009.

• On the opening page of his splendid little book To Know a Fly, biologist Vincent Dethier makes this humorous observation about how children grow up to be scientists: "Although small children have taboos against stepping on ants because such actions are said to bring on rain, there has never seemed to be a taboo against pulling off the legs or wings of flies.