Quirkology
Feb 19, 2010 Comedy, Learning and Knowledge, Science and Technology, Self Help & Personal Training, Skeptical books
If I were to ask you whether you would rather wear a sweater covered in dog feces, or a nice, clean one previously worn by a horrific mass murderer, what would you answer (other than “is there something wrong with you”)?
How about if I were to offer evidence that your starsign CAN reflect your personality in some way – but not because the constellations themselves have made any difference whatsoever?
Quirkology uses psychology, scientific studies and a liberal splash of humour to reveal some of the strangest, most unlikely things that effect us in ways that seem completely counter-intuitive and breathtakingly unlikely, as well as the methodology for what might be some of the oddest studies of all time.
Quirkology remains the most outstanding, most hilarious psychology book I have ever read. I suggest you read it, too.
Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior
Jan 24, 2010 Learning and Knowledge, Philosophy & Thinking, Self Help & Personal Training, Skeptical books
This fun book leans towards irrationality in economics and politics, presenting examples of poorly thought-out decisions and then using science to explain the psychological mechanisms behind them. Probably the most interesting section looks at en masse diagnosis of bipolar disorder, why it became such a common diagnosis, and the effects that such a diagnosis can have on a developing child.
It’s not a thick book, and if you’ve read several things in the same sort of area then you might feel a little cheated to find it repeats information you already know. On the other hand, if you want a light refresher or you’re just delving into this area, this is a good one to pick up.
Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion – Free Download
Dec 4, 2009 History, Philosophy & Thinking, Religion and Ethics, Skeptical books
The Scottish Enlightenment was the dawn of a new way of thinking – rationalism, and the rejection of reasonless authority. Intellectuals were gathering in Edinburgh to discuss the discoveries of Newton, Copernicus and Bacon, and were churning out treatises and essays on philosophy, economics and political science at a breathtaking rate. Right in the middle of this was David Hume.
Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion consists of a debate between three characters – Cleanthes, Philo and Demea – who between them hash out some of the conflicts between rational thought and religious belief. Hume does not challenge the idea of a god as such, and this is not an atheist treatise, but he intelligently questions the assumptions of the time about such a being’s omnipotence and morality. He also presents arguments against the apparent self-evidence of intelligent design, a debate that still rages on over two centuries later.
The very idea of looking at, and questioning, the idea of god through the lens of rationality is something that many of us take for granted, and it can be hard to remember that it was once a novel concept. It’s worth picking up this book just to be reminded of that.
Free download from Librivox
The Right Way to Do Wrong: An Expose of Successful Criminals – free download.
Nov 24, 2009 History, Philosophy & Thinking, Skeptical books, Special Offers
Sticking with our magic theme this week we have a great release for anyone interested in magic. Writen by Houdini himself, The Right Way To Do Wrong is an interesting look in to the techniques of what has to be the world’s greatest magician.
Houdini spent a lot of his time debunking people who made fraudulent claims, from psychic abilities to magical powers. The Right Way is Houdini’s first book and is more directed towards exposing criminal activity, but there is a passage or two on “spiritual frauds”. From Burglars, thieves, pickpockets and beggars it’s all covered here, but don’t take my word for it. You can download a free copy of the audio book here.
LibriVox recordings are Public Domain in the USA. If you are not in the USA, please verify the copyright status of these works in your own country before downloading, otherwise you may be violating copyright laws.
SYNOPSIS: The legendary Harry Houdini started the tradition of magicians debunking charlatans and revealing secrets of the trade that continues today through the likes Penn and Teller or James “The Amazing” Randi. But Houdini went even further here, in this delightful 1906 novelty: he revealed the working secrets of thieves, swindlers, and con artists. Culled from his conversations with “the chiefs of police and the most famous detectives in the world,” Houdini’s tales of the tricks of the trade of beggars, pickpockets, and burglars are instructive and amusing. The master showman was also a surprisingly entertaining writer-and this is one of his most enjoyable books, one that will enthrall readers of true crime as well as fans of Houdini himself. Hungarian-American magician and professional skeptic EHRICH WEISS (1874-1926)-aka Harry Houdini, “Handcuff King and Jail Breaker”-also wrote Magical Rope Ties and Escapes (1920) and A Magician Among the Spirits (1924).
Amazon Link
The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution
Nov 14, 2009 Learning and Knowledge, Religion and Ethics, Skeptical books, Specialist Subjects
Dawkins has always had a voice in the media but more recently this has been amplified by his struggle against religious idealism. His recent documentaries also called in to question the pseudo-science and hocus-pocus involved in alternative therapy. But it’s easy to forget that Richard Dawkins is also one of the leading minds in evolutionary theory.
Many who fall in to the trap of talking about “Darwinism” as a sort of religious stand point will probably feel that “Dawkinism” is only around the corner. But the the clear and unquestionable evidence that piles up so incredible high in favour of evolutionary theory relates in no way to any religious debate. If you question evolution you may as well question Newtons laws of motion – you’re on rocky territory.
Darwin is arguably the greatest scientist of all time, in a 2005 BBC poll of scientists from around the world he came first by quite a stretch, he was also voted one of the top 5 greatest Britons. Charles Dickens lost his place on the £10 to the man and Richard Owen, the founder of the Natural History, lost pride of place in the great hall to a larger and considerably heavier statue of Darwin.
So it’s unusual to find that of all the scientists you would look to argue with the theories of this one. Even the Church of England finally admitted defeat, albeit over 120 years late officially stating that they we’re wrong to criticise his theories.
The Origin of the Species struggled throughout it’s multiple releases. Painstakingly researched at a time when sea travel was the norm, reworked 4 times and released in 1859, Darwin had no easy task. Initially he was worried about it’s release and after delays and initial worries it was finally put out without a huge fanfare. And yet despite this it has become a cornerstone of scientific understanding.
The Greatest Show on Earth is probably the only book that could ever accompany The Origin of the Species in equalled proportion. It’s fantastically well written and highly enjoyable. Simplifying such an enormous topic has I’m sure been incredibly hard, but Dawkin’s intellect and insight shines through, his writing style is upbeat and energetic but moves just at the right pace.
From it’s opening chapter about the “history deniers” to the final chapter based on The Origin of the Species itself. Every page offers insight, understanding and results in a truly simplified reworking of complex and challenging theories. And in doing so it in no way dilutes the message. It’s easy to forget that Dawkins the religious critic is also a brilliant and well spoken scientist. Consequently this is also one of the most powerful arguments against the Intelligent Design camp without falling in to the slippery slope argument by questioning the existence of supernatural beings.
Top of the Amazon, Sunday Times and countless other best seller lists if you don’t own a copy of this I thoroughly recommend it. It’s available in several versions from hardcover to audio book and I’m sure it will be reprinted and redistributed for a long time to come. I have read most of Dawkins’ books, The selfish gene is probably his most ground breaking and The God Delusion his most famous release, but now I consider The Greatest Show on Earth to quite firmly replace both of those despite only being available for a few months.
Letter to a Christian Nation
Nov 7, 2009 Philosophy & Thinking, Religion and Ethics, Skeptical books
Sam Harris books are usually to be found sitting next to that of Hitchens and Dawkins in the “New-Atheism” sections of a bookshop (if you’re lucky to have such a section). This is one of those obvious releases that anyone who is of the atheist mind set should own a copy of. It is if anything the introductory book for many who haven’t bothered to define themselves spiritually or are perhaps sitting on the fence on the whole issue.
As a book it’s a set of letters very much written AT Christians, asking them questions from someone who has obviously become tired with the tolerance shown to Christianity. They range from the straight up questioning of the clearly flawed historical events in the bible (possibly the weaker section) to the deeper questions about God’s omnipotence and why the universe exists.
You could probably read this book in a few sittings as it’s fairly thin and some sections take just moments to read. But each chapter addresses a single idea and puts forward all the arguments against Christianity without referring to too much biblical scripture.
The book isn’t without it’s faults and at times the tone becomes a little abrasive, but never at any time wanders in the the ascorbic rhetoric associated with Hitchens and appears less “snitty” than Dawkins’ God Delusion. It’s clear that Harris is no biblical scholar and glosses over some of the core ideas of Christianity painting all Christians with the same brush.
However this very much seems to be a response to the fact that in the US Christianity is a default position for many and so he’s fighting an uphill battle. It would be easy to argue against Harris if you are a biblical scholar, but so often many people who call themselves Christians aren’t. In fact many haven’t even bothered to read the bible – this is a key point in the titling of the book and should not be forgotten.
If you don’t know this book it’s well worth reading as a follow up to something like The God Delusion. If you’re the sort of person who simply wants to find the atheist position on a wide variety of subjects it’s a great place to start. It’s not the God Delusion, but it is a bite size version that’s very quick and easy to digest.
The Demon-haunted World
Nov 5, 2009 Religion and Ethics, Science and Technology, Skeptical books
If there’s one book that is the original sceptical guide this is it. I’m almost certain that everyone from Richard Dawkins to James Randi and all the associated members of todays “sceptical celebrities” have been influenced by this book.
It was written in the mid 90’s and as a result it’s starting to show it’s age. The internet wasn’t fully realised or considered a worthwhile resource and often there’s criticism of things that if anything have led to the opening of minds like sci-fi flicks.
However the book does cover all the angles from cults to UFO’s, crop circles to religion. It’s a very easy read and is probably ideal for younger readers and those that still have holes in their sceptical thinking.
There are better, more up to date books than this, but Sagan is one of my favourite writers in popular science and his books are very enjoyable to read. Perhaps my favourite section is the list of gruelling ways people were forced in to confessing during the Spanish Inquisition and why it became such a popular past time for the church.
How We Know What isn’t So: Fallibility of Human Reason in Everyday Life
Nov 4, 2009 Philosophy & Thinking, Self Help & Personal Training, Skeptical books
When can we trust what we believe – that “teams and players have winning streaks”, that “flattery works”, or that “the more people who agree, the more likely they are to be right” – and when are such beliefs suspect? Thomas Gilovich offers a guide to the fallacy of the obvious in everyday life.
Illustrating his points with examples, and supporting them with the latest research findings, he documents the cognitive, social and motivational processes that distort our thoughts, beliefs, judgements and decisions. In a rapidly changing world, the biases and stereotypes that help us process an overload of complex information inevitably distort what we would like to believe is reality. Awareness of our propensity to make these systematic errors, Gilovich argues, is the first step to more effective analysis and action.
The Skeptic’s Dictionary: A Collection of Strange Beliefs, Amusing Deceptions, and Dangerous Delusions
Nov 4, 2009 Learning and Knowledge, Philosophy & Thinking, Self Help & Personal Training, Skeptical books
The Skeptic’s Dictionary is a website and a book. Each features definitions, arguments, and essays on topics ranging from acupuncture to zombies, and provides a lively, commonsense trove of detailed information on things supernatural, paranormal, and pseudoscientific.
Dozens of topics in logic, perception, science, and philosophy are also covered to help explain the appeal and popularity of occult beliefs and to provide a guide for critical thinking.
59 Seconds: Think a little, change a lot
Nov 1, 2009 Learning and Knowledge, Philosophy & Thinking, Self Help & Personal Training, Skeptical books
I’m personally responsible for turning a lot of people on to this book. It almost needs no review. Of the 10 copies I’ve handed out every single person said they have either heard of it and thoroughly enjoyed it or never heard of it and thoroughly enjoyed it.
It’s possibly the only “self-help” book you’ll ever need. From debunking scam science to opening up your eyes to a brighter more positive way of thinking there’s no better book for cheering up miserable buggers like myself. Worth it for the “happiness” experiments alone and the great tips in the back.
A highly enjoyable and easy read, for anyone in to self improvement, developmental thinking or psychology, I cannot currently recommend any book more than this.
