Pseudoscience in the New Millennium Michael De Robertis CASCA Meeting 26 May 2000

Pseudoscience in the New Millennium 1. What is a Skeptic? 2. What are Pseudoscience and the Paranormal? 3. What’s it like in the real world? 4. Why do people believe? 5. Why should we care? 6. Conclusions Outline

Pseudoscience in the New Millennium 1. A Skeptic : adheres to Clifford’s dictim : It is wrong always and everywhere for anyone to believe anything on insufficient evidence has an open mind and a hard nose is committed to the adoption of such standards of evidence throughout society by means of education investigates pseudoscientific and paranormal claims

Pseudoscience in the New Millennium Scientists are skeptics as scientists… but not necessarily outside their own field! eg., Sir Oliver Lodge, William Crookes, Thomas Edison, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, J. Allen Hynek, John Mack,... Cottingley Glen “Fairies”

Pseudoscience in the New Millennium 2. Pseudoscience: a doctrine/belief masquerading as a science non-falsifiable hypotheses uncritical invetigation of data failure to update theories Paranormal: a subset whose explanations fall outside scientific canons evaluate using scientific method scientific, not magical worldview analogy of criminal trial burden of proof on challenger extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence

Pseudoscience in the New Millennium 3. The REAL World Astrology: horoscopic, biorhythms, lunar correlations UFOs: sightings, abductions, hybrids, crop circles, cattle mutilations, ancient astronauts... PSI: ESP, parapsychology, precognition, psychokinesis, clairvoyance, remote viewing, telepathy, ganzfeld… Occult: numerology, tarot, ouija, pyramids, palmistry, crystal ball, Bermuda Triangle, Nostradamus,…

Pseudoscience in the New Millennium New Age: auras, Kirlian photography, crystals, channeling, Atlantis, feng shui,… “Bogus” Spirituality: angelology, ghosts, near-death & out-of-body experiences, levitation, (some) apparitions & faith-healing, reincarnation,… Alternative Medicine: aromatherapy, iridology, reflexology, homeopathy, applied kinesiology, meridian therapy, touch therapy, magnetotherapy, some naturopathy & chiropractic, … Sundry: cryptozoology, dowsing, graphology, creationism, conspiracy theories, chain letters, psychic surgery

Pseudoscience in the New Millennium Astrology UFOs PSI

Pseudoscience in the New Millennium Occult New Age “Bogus” Sprituality

Pseudoscience in the New Millennium Alternative Medicine Sundry

Pseudoscience in the New Millennium 4. Why do so many people believe? r eliance on anecdotal evidence correlation does not imply causation importance of a control sample role of randomness & coincidence placebo effect wide-spread science illiteracy basic mistrust of science unwillingness to subject important beliefs to proper scrutiny

Pseudoscience in the New Millennium 5. Why should we be concerned? Uncritical acceptance of some claims can harm society (eg., witch craze of 13 th -16 th C.; threats to certain species from altmed ingredients). Scientists have a responsibility to inform the public, permitting people to make an informed choice. Economic implications Truth does matter.

Pseudoscience in the New Millennium 6. Conclusions I. Symptoms > 50% of adults believe in astrology 2-4 x more astrologers than astronomers millions have been abducted by aliens >$300 million/yr on psychic hotlines >$30 billion/yr on alternative medicines >60% Americans believe dinosaurs and humans lived at the same time 50 th anniversary of Roswell drew far more people than any scientific meeting in history

Pseudoscience in the New Millennium 6. Conclusions II. Remedy The question is not, Should anything be done, but rather, What should be done? Start small; every little bit helps Become informed about pseudosciences Challenge the media (politicians) when they pander to pseudoscience/paranormal Always be accurate; never overstate a scientific claim Challenge students/friends constructively; explain the scientific method