50 Popular Beliefs That People Think Are True [Paperback]

Guy P. Harrison (Author), Dr. Phil Plait (Foreword)

Book Description

Release date: December 20, 2011

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"What would it take to create a world in which fantasy is not confused for fact and public policy is based on objective reality? I don't know for sure. But a good place to start would be for everyone on Earth to read this book." --Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist, American Museum of Natural History

"...the perfect book for skeptics to carry with them whenever they venture into the dark and mysterious realms where myths, monsters, and magic lurk as pretenders to truth, and where pseudoscience and superstition rule the day. I haven't had this much fun flipping around an encyclopedic collection of weird things A to Z since indexing Skeptic magazine. Harrison has added to the growing body of skeptical literature a contribution that will continue to move our culture toward one that openly embraces reason, science, and logic." --Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazine; columnist for Scientific American; author of The Believing Brain and Why People Believe Weird Things

"This book exactly nails the points science communicators have been trying to make for years." --Brian Dunning, author and host of the award-winning Skeptoid podcast

"Extremely well written, with a generous helping of good-natured humor, Harrison's book is the perfect antidote to magical thinking. Not just a debunking of fifty modern myths, Harrison explains exactly why these fifty popular beliefs have not passed scientific muster, always holding open the possibility, however remote, that one day they might. It's a fun read and should be on the bookshelves, not just of every skeptic, but of every believer in things that go bump in the night." --Dr. Kenneth Feder, professor of anthropology at Central Connecticut State University and the author of Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology

"A much needed tour through common delusions about reality. Harrison writes clearly and succinctly about beliefs that are not supported by science or logic. However, he does so with sympathy and understanding for the reasons so many people find comfort in the irrational." --Victor J. Stenger, author of the New York Times bestseller God: The Failed Hypothesis and The Fallacy of Fine-Tuning

"This book will blow readers' minds (and it should) by making them realize how easy it is to hold a strong belief without applying either critical thinking or skepticism. Harrison (Race and Reality: What Everyone Should Know About Our Biological Diversity) pokes gaping holes into common beliefs in the supernatural (e.g., ghosts, horoscopes, angels, and miracles) and the tendency to believe that only personal religious tenets are correct despite total ignorance about other religious doctrine. Along those lines, for example, he debunks reincarnation by pointing out that over 100 billion people have lived on Earth but only 7 billion live today—and therefore, because of the shortage, people must be sharing bodies. Harrison guides us gently but firmly along an explorative path of our collective illogic, strong tendencies toward easy answers and magical thinking, and susceptibility to confirmation bias. He doesn't judge readers for buying into beliefs that have no real basis in fact and science, but instead asks them to second-guess the tendency to readily accept the unproven and the illogical as true. VERDICT An outstanding book that is required reading no matter what you believe." --Library Journal, Judith A. Matthews, Michigan State Univ. Lib., East Lansing

About the Author

Guy P. Harrison (San Diego, CA) is an award-winning writer, business owner, and the author of 50 Reasons People Give for Believing in a God and Race and Reality: What Everyone Should Know about Our Biological Diversity. He is also a newspaper columnist and has published articles in Free Inquiry magazine and other publications.

Product Details

• Paperback: 458 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (December 20, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1616144955
• ISBN-13: 978-1616144951
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,649 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I write about many things but my primary focus is on science and skepticism. I believe that our world could be a little better - and a lot less crazy - if more people simply understood how science works and appreciated the protective value of skeptical thinking in everyday life.

I've held numerous positions in the news industry, including editorial writer, world news editor, sports editor, photographer, page designer, and columnist. I'm also a veteran travel writer, having visited and written about many people and places in more than 25 countries on five continents. I have had some very rewarding jobs teaching history and science to bright young students and working with abused and neglected children. My degree is in history and anthropology (University of South Florida). I've won some nice awards for my writing and photography but doubt anyone really cares about that other than my sweet mother.

When I'm not staring at a blank computer screen hoping that an interesting sequence of words will appear, I'm likely to be running, hiking, reading a science book, working out at a gym, or trying to teach life lessons to my children via repeated forced viewings of Star Trek (original series, of course). When normal people are busy thinking about politics, economics, and the Kardashians, I'm usually daydreaming about time travel, the singularity (rapture of the nerds) ancient Greece, extremophiles, the possibility of extraterrestrial life, and robots.


My latest book is "50 Popular Beliefs That People Think are True". It's a fun grand tour of unusual unproven claims such as astrology, psychics, ghosts, UFOs, faith healing, and so on as viewed through the lens of science and skepticism. It's published by Prometheus Books.


Here is what others are saying about "50 Popular Beliefs That People Think are True"


"What would it take to create a world in which fantasy is not confused for fact and public policy is based on objective reality? I don't know for sure. But a good place to start would be for everyone on Earth to read this book."
--Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist, American Museum of Natural History


"Being a skeptic can be hard work, but Harrison makes it a lot easier. This is the book I wish I had written."
-Phil Plait, astronomer, author of 'Bad Astronomy' and 'Death From the Skies'


" . . . a book that deserves to be shelved alongside the works of such giants of the field as Randi, Shermer, Kurtz, and Nickell. With a combination of lively prose and keen analytical reasoning, the author examines some of contemporary culture's most commonly held beliefs. . . . A valuable, not to mention very entertainingly written, addition to the literature of skepticism."
--Booklist, November 15, 2011, starred review



"Guy Harrison's 50 Popular Beliefs That People Think are True is the perfect book for skeptics to carry with them whenever they venture into the dark and mysterious realms where myths, monsters, and magic lurk as pretenders to truth, and where pseudoscience and superstition rule the day. Harrison has added to the growing body of skeptical literature a contribution that will continue to move our culture toward one that openly embraces reason, science, and logic."
-Michael Shermer, Publisher of Skeptic magazine, columnist for Scientific American, author of 'The Believing Brain' and 'Why People Believe Weird Things'


"Extremely well-written, with a generous helping of good-natured humor, Harrison's book is the perfect antidote to magical thinking. . . . It's a fun read and should be on the bookshelves, not just of every skeptic, but of every believer in things that go bump in the night."
-Dr. Kenneth Feder, professor of anthropology at Central Connecticut State University and the author of 'Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology'



------------------------



Here's a bit of praise for my book, "Race and Reality: What Everyone Should Know About Our Biological Diversity"


"This is a very important, profound, enjoyable and enlightening book. It should go a long way in helping disprove man's most dangerous myth."
-Robert W. Sussman, Professor of Anthropology, Washington University.
Editor of 'Yearbook of Physical Anthropology' and Editor Emeritus of 'American Anthropologist'


"A tour de force that conveys the current science on racial classification in a rigorous yet readable way. A book so clearly written, so elegantly crafted, so packed with nuggets that even those who think they know it all about race and racial classification will come away changed."
-David B. Grusky, Professor of Sociology, Stanford University


"Harrison's comprehensive and engaging book should be required reading for anyone who has thought about the benighted issue of race. It will clear the cobwebs from your head." --Steve Olson, author of 'Mapping Human History'


Guy Harrison's well-written and passionate plea for eliminating the idea and ideology of race should be widely read. He has shown that the idea of race not only is contradicted by science but is a social anachronism that should not be tolerated by society in the 21st century.
-Audrey Smedley, Professor Emerita Anthropology and African-American Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University


"Harrison dismantles the 'race' concept, bolt by bolt. Exposing race as a social illusion and political tool-rather than a biological reality-Harrison forces the reader to consider how they think about "other folk.'
--Cameron M. Smith, PhD
Department of Anthropology
Portland State University



-------------


And, finally, some kind words about my book, "50 Reasons People Give for Believing in a God"


"Deep wisdom and patient explanations fill this excellent book." --James A. Haught, editor of West Virginia's largest newspaper, 'The Charleston Gazette'


"Engaging and enlightening... Read this book to explore the many and diverse reasons for belief." --Michael Shermer, Publisher of 'Skeptic' magazine


"A persuasive and frequently humorous book about an important topic. ...should be read by religious practitioners, political leaders, and the general public." --Nick Wynne, PhD; Executive director of the Florida Historical Society


"...doesn't bully or condescend. Reading Harrison's book is like having an amiable chat with a wise old friend." --Cameron M. Smith and Charles Sullivan, authors of 'The Top 10 Myths about Evolution'


"If this is the most recent turn of the New Atheism, it is a very welcome one!" --Massimo Pigliucci, professor of Ecology and Evolution at the State University of New York at Stony Brook

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 70 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book! December 23, 2011

By J. Gomez TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

50 popular beliefs that people think are true by Guy P. Harrison

"50 popular beliefs that people think are true" is a fascinating book about skepticism and critical thinking applied to fifty popular beliefs. In a true open-minded and respectful manner, Guy Harrison takes us on a wonderful journey of applying the best current evidence to popular beliefs. This 458-page book is broken out by the following eight sections: Magical Thinking, Out There, Science and Reason, Strange Healings, Lure of the Gods, Bizarre Beings, Weird Places, and Dreaming of the End.

Positives:
1. As accessible a book as you will find and written in an elegant and engaging conversational tone. A fun, page turner of a book to read.
2. A well-researched book evidenced by the number of books referenced and comprehensive bibliography.
3. Excellent format! Each chapter begins with an appropriate quote or two about the popular belief and ends with a "Go Deeper" section of further reading.
4. A respectful and sympathetic tone used throughout. Mr. Harrison treats his topics with utmost respect and care. He's one of the few authors that can take on "sensitive" topics in a considerate manner. A rare quality indeed.
5. Fascinating topics! There is something for everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The book covers a great and diverse selection of popular beliefs. Bravo!
6. The ability to express his thoughts in a logical and lucid manner. It's such a treat to read a book in which the author makes clear and succinct points.
7. Thought-provoking quotes and comments. "Being a skeptic means being honest and mature enough to seek answers that are based on evidence and logic rather than hopes and dreams."
8. A great defender of science and logic. The author does a great job of providing meaningful statistics and illustrations to back his points. Furthermore, he relies on subject matter experts to provide the best current evidence.
9. Some key concepts introduced that really helps understand why we believe. How we really see for instance and how our memories work. Great stuff.
10. The author makes it very clear what we know versus what we do not know. A good job of keeping things in perspective.
11. How cold readings work and an amusing tale that illustrates the points.
12. Wisdom and knowledge throughout. Everyone will have their favorite chapters, I enjoyed those that taught me knew things and are helping me change my perspective. The chapters involving intelligence and race were a pleasant surprise to me.
13. Chapters and concepts involving the supernatural are always a personal favorite and the author doesn't disappoint. Miracles, angels, souls, spirits...oh my.
14. This is an engaging book because the author's innate curious personality comes through so genuinely. There are many popular beliefs that the author himself would love to be true and hasn't completely ruled out. As an example the chapters on Aliens and UFOs. Absolutely love the self-deprecating humor and love for the awe of the unknown.
15. Pseudoscience placed in its proper place but done so as mentioned before with respect. Surprisingly but necessary, the author also does so with science.
16. The author provides a great point about global warming.
17. Guy Harrison's background is so vast and interesting that he is able to talk about topics from a firsthand perspective such as television news. Insightful takes on journalism and science.
18. A refreshing look at conspiracies. I'm a better person for having read it.
19. Great takes on alternative medicine, homeopathy, and faith healing. Benny Hinn...
20. Topics on religion are very interesting and even more so because the author is able to talk about all the main religions and not just Christianity which adds depth to the conversation.
21. Creationism and evolution, and even more interesting potential future debates.
22. Prophecies. The chapter on Nostradamus is fascinating and there is a separate one on worldwide prophecies, good stuff.
23. An interesting look at prayers.
24. Archaeology and what we don't know with conviction.
25. Bizarre beings like Bigfoot were fun chapters to read.
26. Loved the chapter on the Bermuda Triangle.
27. The Mayans and 2012 so topical and a great water-cooler topic for months to come and Mr. Harrison provides the insight.
28. The book "ends" with a bang. No really...many examples of how it will end.

Negatives:
1. Having to wait for the Kindle version. I couldn't wait so I purchased the book instead. No big deal.
2. Because this book is so ambitious and covers fifty popular beliefs; some chapters may not have the depth that some readers would have liked but the author did a wonderful job of providing further reading material.

In summary, I absolutely loved this book! It's one of the reasons why I enjoy reading so much. This is one of those few books available that everyone can enjoy. You can jump to your favorite topics if you desire or read it straight through. Either way you will at the very least respect the author's approach or best, enjoy it as thoroughly as I have. This is a book about skepticism that is fun to read, thought-provoking while never being unintelligible. Don't hesitate to get it! I highly recommend it!

Further suggestions: "50 Reasons People Give for Believing in a God" by the same author, "The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies---How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as TruthsThe Believing Brain..." and "Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other Confusions of Our Time" by Michael Shermer, "Scientific Paranormal Investigation: How to Solve Unexplained Mysteries" by Benjamin Radford, "The Belief Instinct: The Psychology of Souls, Destiny, and the Meaning of Life" by Jesse Bering, "Why Evolution Is True" by Jerry A. Coyne, "Godless: How an Evangelical Preacher Became One of America's Leading Atheists..." by Dan Barker, "Society without God: What the Least Religious Nations Can Tell Us About Contentment" Phil Zuckerman, "The Faith Healers" by James Randi, "The Christian Delusion: Why Faith Fails" by John W. Loftus, "Caveman Logic: The Persistence of Primitive Thinking in a Modern World" by Hank Davis, "The Fallacy of Fine-Tuning: Why the Universe Is Not Designed for Us" by Victor J. Stenger, "The Blind Spot" by William Byers, "Paranormality" Richard Wiseman, "Storms of My Grandchildren" by James Hansen, "Braintrust" by Patricia S. Churchland, "The Panic Virus" by Seth Mnookin, "Science Under Siege" by Kendrick Frazier, "Superstition" by Robert Park and "Science and Nonbelief" by Taner Edis.

61 of 65 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Reading is believing December 28, 2011

By Hande Z

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Spoiler alert: If you believe in some of the beliefs discussed in this book you may not think the book as a whole merits reading, let alone buying. However, the topics discussed ranged from "Creationism" to "Area 51 is where they keep aliens", "Ghosts are Real and They Live in Haunted Houses', and "Astrology is Scientific" are varied and wide. So it is possible that one might believe (or is neutral about) some views expressed by Harrison but agree with Harrison on the rest. Even though he wrote from the sceptic's viewpoint, he does not disparage religious beliefs. He wrote in "My God is the Real One": "One ought to be aware of and respect , to a point, the emotional attachment many people have to their belief in the existence of a god or gods. But it only makes sense to try and ensure that something taken so seriously by so many people is actually valid in the first place. This is not, or should not be, a question for the skeptics alone. Don't believers also want to know if their gods actually exist or not?"

If the reader is inclined to believe in the topics discussed (the previous reviewer has helpfully set out a detailed list) he might wish to give this book a solitary star. I gave it five stars because I agree with virtually all the author's views. I had hitherto been ignorant about how scientific homeopathy is; Harrison described homeopathy as a failed method of alternative medicine. The ingredients used are so diluted that they have no effect whatsoever, and consequently, homeopathy has, at best, only a placebo effect. He traced the origins of homeopathic medicine and discussed what goes on in modern practices and why they are futile exercises.

The second reason this book deserves a five-star rating is that the author was able to describe and discuss the topics clearly and briefly so that it takes no more than 15 minutes to read each topic. Thirdly, he recommended further readings at the end of each chapter. The suggestions may not all be the most authoritative sources, but they appeared to be relevant and probably useful sources, as I have read many of the books suggested. For example, Under the chapter "Creationism is true and evolution is not", Harrison recommended 24 books including "The Ancestor's Tale" by Richard Dawkins - which might be reason enough for some to think Harrison's book unreadable.

Harrison begins each chapter with a quotation. Some sounded authoritative and some are humorous, for example, in "Television News Gives Me an Accurate View of the World" he quoted Arthur C Clarke: "Whom the gods would destroy, they first give teleivison.' In "I believe in Miracles" Harrison quoted Aristotle, "It is likely that unlikely things should happen", to commence his discussion of miracles.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Introduction to Skepticism March 16, 2012

By Greg Schumaker

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

In the war on stupidity, this book is a great tool to introduce young minds into the fold of a reality-based community. A bit repetitive at points, but the humor and insights make up for that. The "Go Deeper" suggestions for further reading on each topic are a great resource.