The Misinformation Trap and Changing Minds

On Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 3:00 PM PDT/6:00 PM EDT, the Humanist Society of Santa Barbara and the Freethought Society will cohost Melanie Trecek-King. Her presentation “The Misinformation Trap and Changing Minds: My Journey from Creationist to Biologist” will be a Zoom allowing for worldwide participation.Join us at the following at the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89788090863?pwd=ZmwGUWW46fjHTnOFS8H53BPs06ITj6.1

The presentation will examine why intelligent people fall for science denial, pseudoscience, or conspiracy theories. Trecek-King will explore how cognitive biases, social influ-ences, and deeply-held beliefs can trap us in misinformation. Drawing on her own experience as a former young Earth creationist, she will explain why facts alone often fail to change minds, and how curiosity, skepticism, and empathy can help us navigate today’s complex information landscape and connect with those who disagree with us.