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50 Popular Beliefs That People Think Are True Audiobook
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(3.03) - 238 listener ratings
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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.
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"Nice introduction to critical and skeptical thinking. Accessible and engaging, stresses the importance of skeptical thought,but continually points out that all humans are susceptible to falling for nonsense. More of a primer than deep investigation,most topics covered in just a few pages with just an overview of arguments and evidence. "Further Reading" suggestion point reader in direction of more detailed coverage."
— Andrew (4 out of 5 stars)
50 Popular Beliefs That People Think Are True Listener Reviews
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" I enjoyed this book very much. The author does a pretty good job of debunking the 50 beliefs briefly and he gives references with each belief for more in-depth information. There are several beliefs that I do plan to look into more since I have read this book. "
— Susan, 2/19/2014 -
" Would probably have been a full 5 stars if I hadn't already extensively studied 90%+ of the 50 beliefs presented in here. Still though, if you aren't familiar with skeptical reasoning, this would probably be a great place to start. "
— Dusten, 1/23/2014 -
" I agree with the premise of the book that we should be skeptical and not accept all things until we have persuasive proof and I found the first few chapters very enjoyable. However, that point is repeated so many times because the chapters are so small that it becomes more and more difficult to read. I would have enjoyed a book that contained less beliefs and went more in depth into explanations of the beliefs themselves and refuting those beliefs. There are some chapters that do this very well, but many just say something to the effect of there's no proof so I don't believe it. This ended up not really convincing me of much of anything. I think he did the best job of describing things like Area 51 and the Roswell UFOs very thoroughly, but when it came to abstract things like ghosts, angels, etc. both the evidence for and against was very sparse and instead substituted with person stories. I would recommend the book if you were planning on reading a few key chapters and not the whole book. "
— Jenny, 1/22/2014 -
" Packed with good info on the facts behind the crazy. Very interesting reading, if a tad depressing. (The things people believe! Even SMART people!) Recommended. "
— Elisabeth, 1/15/2014 -
" It's a really good book about skepticism. The author has a lot of personal experiences with the 50 beliefs he discuss, which makes the book pretty interesting to read. "
— Michel, 1/13/2014 -
" Excellent book, but a little too repetitive in its explanation of all 50 beliefs. "
— Pooja, 11/19/2013 -
" This is the ultimate skeptics' book. Contemporary and very relevant to today's unproven beliefs. The approach is respectful and informative. I recommend it to both skeptics and UFO chasers. "
— Roberto, 10/24/2013 -
" Only for the true Skeptic, I loved it!. If you like this your love Skeptical Inquire Magazine "
— Rick, 8/17/2013 -
" Was food for my skeptical mind. "
— Sarah, 8/6/2013 -
" I skimmed through because I don't actually believe any of the 50 nonsensical popular beliefs highlighted in this book, including 'prayer works' and 'biological races determine success in sports'. Do people actually believe this nonsense, anyway? "
— Christina, 7/22/2013 -
" A skeptic's take on what certain people believe. It is bound to upset some people, but it was nice to see the other side represented. "
— Steph, 6/27/2013 -
" So guess I should label myself a skeptic...never thought I would...well you learn something new everyday right - even if it is something new about yourself "
— Randi, 5/3/2013 -
" This book felt a little too condescending. "
— Katy, 11/25/2012 -
" tedious & repetitious at times, but occasionally amusing. "
— Mary, 11/6/2012
About Guy P. Harrison
Walter Dixon is a broadcast media veteran of more than twenty years’ experience with a background in theater and performing arts and voice work for commercials. After a career in public radio, he is now a full-time narrator with more than fifty audiobooks recorded in genres ranging from religion and politics to children’s stories.
About Erik Synnestvedt
Erik Synnestvedt has recorded nearly two hundred audiobooks for trade publishers as well as for the Library of Congress Talking Books for the Blind program. They include The Day We Found the Universe by Marcia Bartusiak, A Game as Old as Empire edited by Steven Hiatt, and Twitter Power by Joel Comm.