50 Popular Beliefs That People Think ..., Guy P Harrison
50 Popular Beliefs That People Think ..., Guy P Harrison
11 Rating(s)
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50 Popular Beliefs That People Think Are True

Author: Guy P Harrison

Narrator: Erik Synnestvedt

Unabridged: 13 hr 51 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Gildan Audio

Published: 09/25/2012

Categories: Nonfiction, Humor


Synopsis

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

Goodreads review by Cassandra on June 14, 2012

REVIEW ALSO ON: [URL not allowed] I had a lot of trouble with this book, and it wasn’t for lack of trying. When I purchased it I was genuinely interested in reading a scientific take on the paranormal and the various mysteries of the universe. The problem: I seemed to be und......more

Goodreads review by Stephen on June 18, 2018

First things first: that title is annoyingly redundant. Okay, now the review. Chances are you know someone who harbors what you know to be irrational beliefs, and chances are they hold the same opinion about you. It isn't easy to stay sober with a monkey brain trying to impose order on the chaos of l......more

Goodreads review by Shanshad on June 12, 2012

Eh. Interesting, but one-sided. And while skepticism is all well and good I found this a bit repetitive and problematic. Beyond the simple fact that this is a book where the author presents his refutations or skepticism about beliefs according to his own opinions (which is fine as such, but gets dul......more

Goodreads review by Heath on August 29, 2012

This is a good book if what you're looking for is a sort of overview of the possibilities of critical thinking. The only real problem with it is that every false belief addressed is treated with the same reverent and respectful tone-- Harrison takes great pains to be non-offensive-- when some of the......more

Goodreads review by Rena on July 31, 2016

I got the point by the second belief people think are true but are not. This book is awfully repetitive. Yes, I know what Harrison has to say is important but GEEZ. 25 Popular Beliefs That People Think Are True would have made the point and would have quickened the book up a pace. It gets to be a re......more