Skeptical Inquirer Presents: "An Amusing History of Crackpot Ideas"

What is "Skeptical Inquirer Presents"?
Skeptical Inquirer is a bimonthly American magazine published by the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry dedicated to promoting science and reason. They've recently introduced "Skeptical Inquirer Presents" - live online presentations from leading experts in science, skepticism, medicine, media, activism, and advocacy, all devoted to the cause of advancing science over pseudoscience, media literacy over conspiracy theories, and critical thinking over magical thinking.

Every two weeks, Skeptical Inquirer Presents will bring you a new live event, emceed by the brilliant and hilarious comedian Leighann Lord, co-host of the Point of Inquiry podcast. And it’s all happening from the comfort of your laptop (or any other screen), wherever you are in the world, because big ideas can’t be contained in conference halls.

How can I participate?
Free registration is required for these online lectures. See below for details and registration, and check back for additional events.

For full details and to register for this event, go to:
https://skepticalinquirer.org/video/pseudoscience-an-amusing-history-of-crackpot-ideas-and-why-we-love-them-nate-pedersen/

Once you register, keep an eye out for a confirmation email from Zoom with instructions on how to join the presentation.

If you have difficulties registering or logging into Zoom for the event, please submit any questions to: zoom@centerforinquiry.org

Event Title: "Pseudoscience: An Amusing History of Crackpot Ideas and Why We Love Them" with Nate Pedersen

Details for this event:
Pseudoscience has been with us for a very long time and has taken many forms throughout the years, from the easily disproved to the wildly speculative, wishful thinking to straight-up hucksterism. Humanity’s fascination with pseudoscience is incredibly persistent and even today attracts passionate supporters to all kinds of nonsensical ideas. But why?

Join us on Thursday, June 12, at 7:00 p.m. ET for a Skeptical Inquirer Presents live stream with Nate Pedersen, the coauthor (with Lydia Kang, MD) of Pseudoscience: An Amusing History of Crackpot Ideas and Why We Love Them. The book is a wild mix of history, pop culture, and good old fashioned science, and Pedersen will discuss what he’s learned about why people insist on believing in things such as Bigfoot, astrology, and the existence of aliens.

NOTE: This live Zoom event is free, but advance registration is required, so sign up right now.

About the Speaker:
* Nate Pedersen is a librarian, historian, and freelance journalist with over 400 publications in print and online, including in the Guardian, the Believer, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the Art of Manliness. He and Lydia Kang have previously coauthored Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything, which was named an NPR Best Science Book of 2017, and Patient Zero: A Curious History of the World’s Worst Diseases.

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